2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25107151D

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 667

Offered February 13, 2025

Commending Dave Perno.

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Patrons—Cherry, Coyner and Earley; Senator: Sturtevant

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WHEREAS, Dave Perno, of the Loyalty Auto Group, is the 2025 Time magazine Quality Automobile Dealer of the Year Nominee for Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Loyalty Auto Group was founded by Dave Perno in 2014, representing the culmination of his lifelong work in the auto industry; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno, whose career in the auto industry has spanned over five decades, got his start in his family's Ford dealership in Chicago working various jobs at the dealership and pursuing education in the industry at Northwood University and higher education at DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, while serving as service manager at his family's dealership, Dave Perno met a customer who would go on to become his wife of over 47 years, Kathy Rohrer Perno; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno followed his family to Virginia where he continued his career in the automotive industry, working his way through the ranks at several large new car dealer groups in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Dave Perno acquired ownership of Priority Automotive's three Richmond dealerships and two independent service and body shop operations that he rebranded as Loyalty Automotive, which he operates with two of his sons, Shaun and Ryan; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno has grown Loyalty Automotive to include five new car franchises, one used car supercenter, and four collision repair centers, all of which are heavily invested in employee training and the careers of Loyalty's more than 350 employees; and

WHEREAS, an active and dedicated member of his community, Dave Perno has supported a wide array of industry and community causes for many years; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno has been a leader in his community and supported numerous causes that serve his community in diverse ways, including as the donor of more than $700,000 over the past seven years to buy state-of-the-art Rydell football helmets to protect young athletes from concussions and head injuries and as a platinum sponsor of the Kids in Need Foundation Backpack Giveaway, giving away 400 backpacks each year filled with school supplies for underserved students; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno has also been a sponsor of fundraising efforts for numerous organizations and events, including the Colonial Heights Food Pantry, the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, the American Cancer Society, the Chesdin Landing Women's Association, the Virginia War Memorial race, James River bass tournaments, and Chesterfield County career day; and

WHEREAS, an active and dedicated member of his industry, Dave Perno has served his customers and his community with a generous spirit and has been an example to dealers in his community and around the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno is committed to developing the next generation of automotive technicians, providing substantial resources to scholarships and tools for students in automotive technology programs at Reynolds Community College, who are given the opportunity to work at Loyalty's dealerships during their education and upon graduation; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno has served his industry as an active member of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, including service as a member of the board of directors; and

WHEREAS, Dave Perno served as chairman of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association in 2020, leading all his fellow franchise dealers as their top elected officer; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dave Perno on his selection as the 2025 Time magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Nominee for Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dave Perno as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and best wishes.