The Delaney
Automotive Group was honored with the Distinguished Family Business Award by
the Center for Family Business at the
annual awards ceremony on September 26.
The award is given
annually to a family that has achieved excellence
in its industry, contributed significantly to its community, and successfully
succeeded ownership and management to the second generation or beyond. The
business is chosen by Robert C. Camp, dean of the Eberly College of Business
and Information Technology, and selection committee members. This recognition
was created to increase awareness of the importance of family-owned businesses,
which employ more than 62 percent of America’s work force and produce 64
percent of the gross domestic product.
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 Delaney’s have three children, sons Jack,
President of Delaney Automotive Group; and Tom, President of Star Chevrolet;
and daughter Beth, who is 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 long-time member
of the IUP Council of Trustees.
Previous winners of
the Distinguished Family Business Award include: 422 Home Sales; Benzel Pretzel
Bakery; Colonial Motor Mart; Diamond Drugs, Inc.; Gorell Enterprises, Inc.;
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services; Indiana Printing & Publishing Company;
James Industries, Slinky Toys; Keystone Foam Corporation; McLanahan
Corporation; Seven Springs Mountain Resort; Snyder Associated Companies; the Wayne
S. Lockard Family; Sheetz Convenience Stores; and The Reschini Group.
Over 300 people,
including 250 students, attended the program which featured presentations by
members of the Delaney Family. Junior
business student Dan Costa appreciated the opportunity to learn about a
family business in such detail. “It was really interesting to learn about
how the Delaney family business got started, about challenges and successes
that they experienced, and about certain specific aspects of the car
business,” he said. “I appreciate the fact that the
Eberly College of Business and Information Technology provides us with
opportunities to have exposure to real-world business operations.”
A tree is dedicated with a permanent plaque and
installed in the Allegheny Arboretum at IUP in the family’s honor.