The Delaney Automotive Group was honored
with the Distinguished Family Business Award by the Indiana University of
Pennsylvania Center for Family Business, at the annual awards ceremony on Sept.
26.
Jack and
Susan (Snell) Delaney opened Delaney Chevrolet in downtown Indiana on July 19,
1971. Since then, the business has grown to include several more locations in
Indiana, including Hyundai and Subaru franchises in White Township. The Delaney
family also purchased a Chevrolet dealership in Greensburg, in 1983, and
converted it into one of its own, and later added Nissan and Volvo to its
inventory.
The
original Delaney Chevrolet business opened with five employees. As of this
year, the group of businesses employs more than 360 people across its locations.
The
Delaneys have three children, sons Jack, president of Delaney Automotive
Group; and Tom, president of Star Chevrolet; and daughter Beth, an
attorney living in Philadelphia. They have six grandchildren, with a seventh on
the way. Susan Delaney is a 1964 graduate of IUP.
Jack and
Susan have been active supporters of IUP students and athletics throughout the
years. Susan has been a longtime member of the IUP Council of Trustees.
A tree is
dedicated with a permanent plaque and installed in the Allegheny Arboretum at
IUP in the family’s honor.