ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame honored Jack Fitzgerald, founder of Fitzgerald Auto Malls, with a posthumous induction recognizing his lasting impact on business, consumer advocacy, and community service.

NBC4’s Melissa Mollet introduced Fitzgerald as “a transformative figure in the automotive retail industry” who built “one of the most respected dealership networks in the country” and redefined what it meant to be a customer advocate.

From his start in 1966 with a single Dodge dealership in Bethesda, Jack Fitzgerald grew the company into 20 franchises across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida, employing more than 1,800 people. He pioneered the “no-haggle, no-hassle” pricing model and founded the Fitzgerald Child Safety Seat Program, which has provided more than 50,000 inspections and installations. In 2023, Fitzgerald Auto Malls became the largest dealership group in the nation to achieve 100 percent employee ownership.

Accepting the award on her brother’s behalf, Dottie Fitzgerald shared:

“Jack was a humble man, and if he were here today, he would say thank you—but quickly add that he didn’t do it alone. He was grateful to all of our associates and customers over the years.”

She added, “He loved what he did and worked every day right up until the afternoon he entered hospice. All in all, I think he would tell you there was just no better way to go.”

Jack Fitzgerald passed away in April 2025 and would have celebrated his 90th birthday in September. His legacy endures through a company built on integrity, innovation, and community care.

About the Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame

The Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame recognizes business leaders whose achievements and community service have made a lasting impact on Montgomery County. Its annual luncheon brings together business and civic leaders to celebrate excellence, with net proceeds supporting scholarships that help develop the next generation of local talent.

About Fitzgerald Auto Malls

Founded in 1966, Fitzgerald Auto Malls operates 20 franchises across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The company is known for transparent, “no-haggle, no-hassle” pricing, its employee-ownership model, and decades of community service through initiatives such as the Fitzgerald Child Safety Seat Program.

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COLUMBIA, MD — Fitzgerald Auto Malls is proud to share that the late Mr. Jack Fitzgerald was posthumously inducted into the Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame by the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (MACPS). The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, during the Maryland Child Passenger Safety Conference at The Meeting House in Columbia, Maryland.

Presented by renowned child passenger safety advocate Bob Wall, the award honors Mr. Fitzgerald’s extraordinary contributions to child passenger safety and his pioneering leadership in promoting safe driving practices within the automotive retail industry. Representatives from Fitzgerald Auto Malls along with his sister Dottie Fitzgerald were present to accept the award in his memory.

“We are deeply touched by this recognition of Jack’s enduring legacy,” said Rob Smith, President of Fitzgerald Auto Malls. “Child safety was a cause close to his heart, and we are proud to see his contributions acknowledged in such a meaningful way.”

Throughout his career, Mr. Fitzgerald championed numerous safety initiatives, including one of the nation’s longest-running public child safety seat inspection programs. Since 1999, Fitzgerald Auto Malls has conducted more than 50,000 safety seat inspections—all at no cost to families. The program continues today, offering regular safety seat checks and appointments at various dealership locations.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. However, properly installed child safety seats can reduce fatal injury risk by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Mr. Fitzgerald’s efforts helped raise awareness of this critical issue and established higher safety standards within the automotive industry.

About Fitzgerald Auto Malls

Founded in 1966, Fitzgerald Auto Malls has grown to become one of the premier automotive retailers in the Mid-Atlantic region, with locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Known for its customer-first approach, environmental leadership, and community engagement, the company operates under the FitzWay philosophy of transparency, respect, and integrity.

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• Announcement

North Bethesda, MD – 1/28/2025 – Fitzgerald Auto Malls proudly announces that Rob Smith, President of the organization, has been named the recipient of the prestigious “Good Scout Award” presented by the Montgomery County Districts of Scouting America, National Capital Area Council. This esteemed honor will be awarded to Rob during the Maryland Good Scout Awards Celebration on February 20th, recognizing exceptional leaders who embody Scouting’s core values of leadership, character, and civic responsibility.

The Maryland Good Scout Awards, established in 2001, celebrates individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their communities while upholding the principles of Scouting. The event celebrates honorees’ outstanding civic contributions to Montgomery County, strengthens the bonds between Scouting and the local community by fostering relationships with key leaders, highlights the alignment of Scouting’s values with leadership excellence, and raise funds to support the Boy Scouts of America’s programs in the National Capital Area Council. These initiatives are designed to ensure future leaders are equipped with the utmost in integrity and resilience.

Rob Smith began his career at Fitzgerald Auto Malls 35 years ago as a sales associate. His dedication, vision, and leadership quickly propelled him through roles in sales, service and senior management, culminating in his appointment as President. Under his leadership, Fitzgerald Auto Malls achieved ISO9001 Quality Management certification, a standard for quality management systems (QMS) that helps businesses improve their quality and meet customer and regulatory requirements.

In February 2023, Rob oversaw Fitzgerald Auto Malls’ transition to becoming the largest 100% employee-owned dealership group in the United States. This milestone reflects the company’s FitzWay philosophy promoting dignity, respect, and transparency, all of which are values that Smith champions across the organization’s extensive network.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Good Scout Award and to be recognized alongside Dusty Rood, President and CEO of Rodgers Consulting, a real estate development consulting and design firm and a leader who shares a commitment to service and community,” said Smith. “The values of Scouting resonate deeply within me, both personally and professionally, and I am grateful to the Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area for this meaningful recognition.”

The Maryland Good Scout Awards Celebration on February 20th at the Rockville Hilton will highlight the vital role character and leadership development plays in shaping future generations. Fitzgerald Auto Malls is proud to support this inspiring event and honor the outstanding contributions of its President, Rob Smith.

About Fitzgerald Auto Malls

Founded in 1966 by Jack Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Auto Malls is headquartered in North Bethesda,Maryland. With over 20 brands and 12 Auto Mall locations, Fitzgerald Auto Malls is committed to providing exceptional value and customer-focused experience. As a 100% employee-owned company, the organization continues to uphold its guiding principles of customer focused dignity, respect, and transparency through the Fitzgerald Auto Malls FitzWay philosophy. Fitzgerald Auto Malls is also recognized for its community engagement, support of charitable initiatives and fostering meaningful connections within the regions it serves.

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• Announcement

North Bethesda, MD – October 28, 2024 – Fitzgerald Auto Mall will be honored with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce's Corporate Social Responsibility Award, recognizing its exceptional commitment to community service, ethical business practices, and support for local charities.

Jack Fitzgerald, the founder, built his company on the principles of honesty, hard work, and excellence in customer service. Over the years, the Fitzgerald Automotive Family has established a reputation for complete customer satisfaction, driven by transparent business practices.

Fitzgerald Auto Mall stands out in the industry through its significant sustainability efforts, including the use of green renewable energy sources. The company maintains an Environmental Management System that goes beyond mere compliance with environmental laws and regulations, integrating sustainability into everyday practices and business decisions. Notably, Fitzgerald Auto Mall sources 100% of its electricity from renewable wind and solar power at its Maryland dealerships and recycles 85% of the solid waste generated. It is also the first automotive dealership group in North America to achieve ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications, the highest recognitions for environmental and quality management.

Since its founding in 1966, Fitzgerald Auto Mall has been dedicated to giving back to the community, fostering partnerships, and supporting initiatives that create a positive impact. The company is a champion of child safety programs, particularly through the Fitzgerald Child Safety Seat Program, and promotes animal welfare through regular pet adoption events in collaboration with the Humane Rescue Alliance, and a commitment to education through MCPS and technician apprenticeship programs.

"Jack Fitzgerald always told us that we needed to do well, so that we could do good in the community. That encouragement helped solidify the value of giving that runs throughout the entire culture of the company” said Rob Smith, President of Fitzgerald Auto Mall. “Jack’s decision to allow us as employees to become owners of the company just solidified his legacy to continue to grow that commitment.”

Fitzgerald Auto Mall’s commitment to social responsibility is demonstrated through various programs and initiatives, including:

• Employee Ownership: As a 100% employee-owned company through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Fitzgerald ensures that every employee directly benefits from the company's success, fostering a culture of ownership and long-term commitment.
• Fitzgerald Child Safety Seat Program: Offering free safety seat inspections to ensure child passengers are safe on the road. Over 55,000 child seats inspected.
• Pet Adoption Events: Supporting animal rescue and welfare in partnership with local organizations, including the Humane Rescue Alliance and the Humane Society of Pinellas County.
• Education: Fitzgerald Auto Mall supports education through partnerships with Thomas Edison High School, Montgomery College, and the WANADA Technician Training Program. Additionally, the company contributes to the MCPS Education Foundation and Junior Achievement’s financial literacy programs, particularly benefiting Title I schools like Wheaton Woods Elementary and Watkins Mill Elementary.
• Veterans: Supporting the Yellow Ribbon Fund by providing loaner cars to family members of service members recovering from catastrophic events at Walter Reed/Navy Med.

This Corporate Responsibility Award highlights Fitzgerald Auto Mall’s unwavering dedication to not only serving its customers but also making a meaningful impact in the communities it serves. The award will be presented to Fitzgerald Auto Mall at the MCCC Business Awards Dinner, held on November 6, 2024, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

About Fitzgerald Auto Mall

In 1966, Jack Fitzgerald founded Fitzgerald's Colonial Dodge in North Bethesda, Maryland. From the beginning, the guiding principle of the dealership was to provide exceptional value in a comfortable, customer-friendly sales and service environment. Today, Fitzgerald Auto Malls represents over twenty brands at Auto Mall locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Florida, where that same guiding principle continues. Transparency You Can Trust, That's the #FitzWay! www.FitzMall.com

Jack Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Auto Malls Named “Hero of the Week” by Congressman Jamie Raskin

NORTH BETHESDA, MD -October 9, 2024 — Jack Fitzgerald, founder of Fitzgerald Auto Malls, has been highlighted as the local “Hero of the Week” by Congressman Jamie Raskin for his significant contributions to the community. Congressman Raskin’s local video series aims to feature individuals making a positive impact, and Fitzgerald’s relentless work in the community made him a standout.

Jack Fitzgerald, who has been a local business leader for more than 56 years, employs over 1,700 people and is recognized as a champion of consumer interests and vehicle safety. In 1999, he launched the Fitzgerald Child Car Seat Inspection Program after learning about the dangers of improperly installed child safety seats. Since then, Fitzgerald Auto Malls, in collaboration with national and local government agencies, has been dedicated to saving lives by ensuring child car seats are properly installed.

Fitzgerald Auto Malls also has a strong commitment to animal welfare. In 2013, the organization formed a partnership with the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) to host adoption events aimed at ending animal homelessness. After WARL merged with the Washington Humane Society in 2016 to form the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), Fitzgerald began hosting pet adoption events every other month at its Maryland locations and several events throughout the year at its Florida location with the Humane Society of Pinellas County. Additionally, each dealership collects donations year-round for HRA's Community Outreach program and supplies such as toys, towels, and harnesses. In October, Fitzgerald dealerships participate in the "Subaru Loves Pets" campaign at their Subaru locations with a large pet adoption event.

“Jack and his family stay passionately involved in every kind of local community organization,” said Congressman Raskin. Fitzgerald’s dedication to safety and community well-being has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Auto E-tailer of the Year Award from AIADA/Microsoft, the Public Service Award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the 2005 National Capital Business Ethics Award.

About Fitzgerald Auto Malls

Founded in 1966 by Jack Fitzgerald in North Bethesda, Maryland, Fitzgerald Auto Malls began as Fitzgerald's Colonial Dodge with a mission to deliver exceptional value in a customer-focused sales and service environment. This approach, branded as the “FitzWay,” has become synonymous with the company’s reputation. Today, Fitzgerald Auto Malls, headquartered in North Bethesda, represents over twenty automotive brands at twelve locations across the Washington, DC metropolitan area. For more information on Jack Fitzgerald’s recognition or the “Hero of the Week” series, click here.

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