Jennifer Knights, General Manager of M & M Motors and GIADA executive committee member, has won the 2019 Quality Dealer of the Year Award. The GIADA annouced the award in a press release Aug. 2. The awards committee said that Knights has quality dealer attributes ingrained in her DNA. A third-generation car dealer, her grandfather started M & M Motors in Savannah, GA and her father, Larry Mannion, opened a lot in Hinesville, GA.
“I grew up around the industry and would attend GIADA meetings with my father as a child,” said Jennifer. “My dad, Larry Mannion, runs a lot with my brother and he is a former GIADA President. I began working full-time in 1998. It’s in my blood.”
A member since 2004, Jennifer accredits a lot of her success in the industry with being involved with GIADA.
“Being a GIADA member keeps me up-to-date on industry changes before they’re implemented,” said Jennifer. “I’m always on the cutting edge of legislative changes in the state and nationally. It also allows me to network with other used-car dealers. Everyone should know what’s going on in their industry.
“We’ve got one of the biggest associations in the United States,” she continued. “To be a part of the board and to be able to help the association grow as much as it has over the past few years is exciting.”
Knights says there’s rarely a dull moment in her role. She enjoys the ever-changing aspect of being a dealer.
“Being a used-car dealer is never monotonous,” said Jennifer. “I enjoy the day-to-day changes and challenges the most.”
According to Jennifer, winning Quality Dealer of the Year is nothing short of a dream come true. The fact that she won the award 20 years after her father is the icing on the cake.
“It’s an honor to represent the State of Georgia as the Quality Dealer of the Year,” said Jennifer. “My father won the award in 1999. It’s surreal to win it 20 years later. I’ve always striven for excellence. The fact that I stood out among thousands of exceptional dealers in Georgia is incredible. I’m truly esteemed to represent the state of Georgia and GIADA with this honor.”
For more on the GIADA Quality Dealer award program, please visit www.giada.org/quality-dealer/.