Paul Young, Jr., celebrates 40 years as president of Paul Young Auto Group

General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) member Paul H. Young, Jr. is celebrating his 40th anniversary as president of Paul Young Auto Group. Paul Young Auto Group offers the Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, and Hyundai brands.

Young's 40 years of success as a car dealer have been fueled by his drive, perseverance, and a deeply-rooted love for the auto industry. He began his career at the age of 20 after his father, Paul Young, Sr., purchased Gateway Chevrolet in 1941. In 1960, he took a position in the parts department and was promoted to assistant general manager a few years later. Young enrolled in the Chevrolet Dealer Sons School in Detroit in 1965.

Although Gateway Chevrolet was initially placed in his brother-in-law's name, Young was determined to continue his father's legacy. His persistence paid off in late 1965 when he was appointed dealer principal of Gateway, which is known today as the Paul Young Automotive Group.

Young's dealerships are ranked the third largest Hispanic-owned auto dealership in Texas and the tenth largest in the nation according to Hispanic Business magazine's 500 list. Young attributes his success to his goal-oriented approach to managing the various departments in his dealership. “I give each department a letter grade,” he said. “Everyone can relate to grades because we all received them throughout school.” Young uses the grades to encourage his managers to strive for excellence.

His 40 years of success in the industry have proven to be an inspiration to others and an admirable tribute to his father. “I am very excited to be celebrating my 40th anniversary with General Motors,” said Young. “What a great way for me to honor my father's memory. I think he would be very proud of me today.”

Young is the area director for the Texas Automobile Dealers Association and a former member of Chevrolet's Dealer Council Advisory Board. He is a sponsor of the School Bell Award ceremony, where he acknowledges and rewards outstanding Laredo educators, and is a former chairman for March of Dimes America. Young also offers scholarship and internship opportunities to minority students in the Laredo area through the General Motors Minority Dealers Association scholarship and internship programs.

Young, a native of Laredo , attended both North Texas State College and Montana State College. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 45 years, Ellen Bailey; his children, Shawn, Kelly and Paul III; and his grandchildren.

The GMMDA is a non-profit organization that represents the interest of over two-hundred minority-owned General Motors dealerships across the country. The mission of the GMMDA is to promote, protect, and encourage the viability and profitability of all existing General Motors dealers, and to encourage, through cooperative efforts with General Motors, the installation of new minority dealers in viable and profitable opportunities.