Eddie Hall III embodies the words, “rising star” as it relates to the automotive industry, said Cox Automotive vice president, talent, learning and culture Keisha Duck.

“He also exemplifies a core value of Cox Automotive and the Cox family — community service,” Duck said in a news release about Hall, who is general manager at The Hall Automotive Group in Royal Oak, Mich. “Eddie dedicates countless hours to volunteering and supporting local high school youth with outreach programs at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.”

Cox Automotive, partnering with the National Association of Minority Automotive Dealers (NAMAD), awarded Hall with its Rising Star Award. Cox and NAMAD chose Hall based on being a NAMAD member in good standing under the age of 40 who has shown a strong commitment and contribution to the automotive industry.

Cox Automotive said the recognition promotes automotive industry diversity, and Hall is a minority representative on the Ford National Dealer Council. He also serves on the Ford Minority Dealer Association board, is secretary of the NAMAD NextGen board, and is a founding member and chairman of the NADA NextGen 20 Group.

The Hall Automotive Group’s dealerships in Michigan include Briarwood Ford, Royal Oak Ford, and what Cox Automotive says are the only two African-American owned Chrysler dealerships in the state: Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Vicksburg Chrysler.

“It is such an honor to be selected as Cox Automotive/NAMAD Rising Star for 2019,” said Hall. “It is a proud accomplishment to be recognized in such a challenging and competitive industry. Being able to follow in my father’s footsteps and help lead the company is a dream come true.”

After graduation from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, Hall started full time with The Hall Automotive Group in 2010 as an assistant finance manager and worked in finance and sales management before starting in his current position.

In Hall’s honor, Cox Automotive is donating $5,000 to a non-profit of Hall’s choice, and he chose the University of Michigan. Donations to the university go toward ensuring the university community remains large and diverse.

Also on Hall’s behalf, Cox Automotive will donate a disaster response vehicle to the American Red Cross Michigan Region chapter. A long-time partner and member of the Red Cross Disaster Response Program, Cox Automotive has donated 11 disaster response vehicles.