By Myron Love


WINNIPEG, MAN. – Steve Chipman and Larry Vickar are this year’s Canadian Automobile Dealers Association Laureate winners in the Business Innovation Category and the Ambassadorship Category respectively. John Carey, Manitoba Motor Dealers Association president, presented Vickar and Chipman with their awards at the MMDA gala banquet which was held in conjunction with the MMDA’s 2010 Convention, June 10-12 in Winnipeg.

The Business Innovation Category, Carey noted, recognizes initiatives that significantly enhance performance or broaden the scope of business. Chipman, the president of the Birchwood Automotive Group, showed innovation in establishing the Pointe West Auto Park whose tenants currently include six Birchwood dealerships, the Birchwood Group’s Pointe West Collision Centre and the Birchwood Group’s head office.

Vickar, president of the Vickar Automotive Group, won in the Ambassadorship Category for extraordinary service to the community and the industry.

“Larry has certainly been an ambassador for our industry,” Carey said. “His community involvement has included Rotary, the Transcona Educational Foundation, the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation and numerous leadership roles in the Jewish community.

Vickar has also been recognized by the Filipino community for his generosity.

The convention this year attracted 172 registrants including 94 representing dealerships.