PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -

On Thursday, Cox Automotive presented its 2017 Community Impact Award to Heather Pullen, national remarketing manager at Porsche Cars North America.

The award — sponsored by Cox Automotive brand, Manheim — was presented by Grace Huang, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions, during an awards luncheon at Used Car Week.

The honor is given to a remarketing industry leader “for their outstanding contributions to the community and the innovative ways they collaborate with community partners to help further their missions,” according to a Cox Automotive press release.

Huang had the following to say about this year’s recipient:

"Heather's enthusiasm and passion for community service exemplifies the spirit of the Cox Automotive Community Impact Award," said Huang. "Community service is a guiding value for how Cox Automotive operates its businesses, and we congratulate Heather on her inspirational work."

Pullen has been with Porsche for more than six years. And although she is passionate about performance cars, “her real passion starts with horses,” according to the press release from Cox Automotive. She is an avid polo player. In fact, she and her husband, Randy Pullen, formed a charity in 2016 named Pony Up For A Cause. The charity is designed to give back to local charities in the Atlanta area by raising money through an annual polo event produced by Pony Up For A Cause.

The charity partners with Atlanta Ronald McDonald House (ARMHC) to support its mission in the local community. Since its inception, Pony Up For A Cause has raised more than $30,000 for ARMHC. 

Along with the award, in recognition of her leadership and commitment to “making a difference through community service,” Pullen’s charity will receive a $10,000 donation from Cox Automotive to further its work in the Atlanta area.

"Giving back to the community is simply part of the culture at Cox Automotive," said Pullen. "It is a sincere honor to be recognized, and I am humbled by the generosity of Cox Automotive."