Three dealerships are changing hands in the Southwest.

Bender Chevrolet GMC, Bender Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Bender Honda Nissan in Clovis, N.M., have been sold to Frank Pena and Brad Bender, according to a news release from Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions, which facilitated the sale.

Pena will be dealer principal and Bender has joined the ownership group as minority owner and managing partner.

Gary, Darryle and Bryce Bender were the sellers and represented by Pinnacle. The deal closed July 15.

Pinnacle executive vice president Wes Hamilton and president Mike Sims led the transaction process.

“The Bender family has built an outstanding legacy with their dealerships in Clovis, and it has been an honor to represent them through this important transition,” Hamilton said in a news release.

“Finding the right buyer was always the priority, and we’re excited to see Frank Pena and Brad Bender continue building on that legacy while positioning these dealerships for long-term success,” he said.

Bender Auto Group chairman Gary Bender said, “The Bender family couldn’t have wished for a better brokerage firm than Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions to represent our interests in the recent sale of the three auto dealerships.

“Wes Hamilton never wavered from his commitment to the Bender family despite the challenges of a rural, agricultural community. Pinnacle wasn’t just a broker; they became our friends who looked for prospective buyers who fit our circumstances, not just a buyer.”

Frank Pena added: “Although Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions represented the seller, Mike Sims and Wes Hamilton were tremendous resources and provided crucial guidance to me in this acquisition. They helped me realize how strategic this transaction would be and the opportunity it would provide with multiple manufacturers.

“Having a relationship with four OEMs and acquiring a business with strong historical earnings, I feel I am well-positioned for future acquisitions and continued growth. Pinnacle brought clarity to my decision-making and helped me see the future beyond a dealership purchase.  I consider Mike and Wes friends after dealing with them and will look to them for future acquisitions.”

Ira Motor Group leaders earn ESGR honors

Five management team members at Ira Motor Group have earned Patriot Award honors from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense.

Justin Lotter, Lyndsay Tatro, Bernie Spann, Devon DaSilva and Kayshawn Joly of Ira Motor Group — which is part of the Group 1 Family of Dealerships — are being recognized by ESGR for their extraordinary support of an employee serving in the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve.

Matthew Hildebrand, a Reserve Component employee, has been deployed for 12 months and nominated these Ira Motor leaders for the award.

“Throughout his deployment, Ira Motor Group’s leadership team assured Hildebrand that his position would be waiting for him upon his return; the kind of support ESGR’s Patriot Award was created to recognize,” Group 1 Automotive said in a news release.

“Matthew’s commitment to serving our country deserves nothing less than our full commitment to him,” Ira Motor Group market director Jon Zilloux said. “Making sure his job was waiting for him wasn’t a hard decision; it was the only decision. This recognition belongs to Justin, Lyndsay, Bernie, Devon and Kayshawn, but it reflects something our whole team believes in: taking care of the people who serve.”

Christopher Dugre, ESGR Massachusetts chair, added: “The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”