Rick Case, CEO and Founder of The Rick Case Automotive Group

Known as the record-breaking car salesman, automotive pioneer, and community philanthropist
Passed away at age 77

Fort Lauderdale, FL - (September 23, 2020) “Hi, this is Rick Case,” is a very familiar line for a lot of people, from TV
commercials and license plate frames to mega dealerships and philanthropic events, Rick Case is not just a name
but rather an iconic-successful brand created by the marketing guru himself.

On September 21, at age 77, Rick Case, CEO and Founder of The Rick Case Automotive Group, known as a catalyst
in the automotive industry but also with a passion for giving back to the community, passed away peacefully in his
home surrounded by his family after a short battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Here’s how the Rick Case story began:

At age 9, Rick Case’s enthusiasm for sales started with a newspaper delivery route. A single route was not enough,
he wanted to sell in volume, so he took on more routes and hired delivery boys to make his deliveries. He was
making money “but I didn’t have to go out in the rain to make deliveries”. At 14 Rick purchased a used car, fixed it
up and put a “For Sale” sign on it in his parent’s driveway in Akron Ohio, it sold within days and at that moment his
passion for car sales began. He then started a used car reconditioning business before he was old enough to drive,
“I had to hire older guys to shuttle the cars around”. At age 19, Rick operated his first used car lot all by himself,
Moxie Motors in Akron. He sold cars during the day and got cars ready at night. He was living the American dream
that hard, honest work would bring prosperity. He loved the excitement of selling and wanted to sell in big volume,
so he opened a color tv store when they were first introduced. Then in 1965 he saw the demand for motorcycles
growing so jumped into that industry as well as opening the first Toyota store in 1966. Even a tragic accident did
not slow down Rick’s ambition to succeed at his goals. 1970 a fire started in one of his service departments and he
tried to put it out, there was an explosion which caused 3rd degree burns covering much of his body. He was able to
escape through a small open window and a customer drove him to the hospital. It took him months to recover but
one of his life’s lessons was, “if you want to succeed you will overcome anything,” so he turned his hospital room
into his office which hosted managers’ meetings and sales calls.

Motorcycle Sales – World’s Largest Motorcycle Dealer:

What fueled Rick was his competitive drive to break records, he would create goals for himself that other dealers
would have thought impossible. At 29, Rick owned and operated a multi-million-dollar chain of motorcycle stores.
He developed the first marketing strategy to sell motorcycles in big volume in the 60s and became the world’s
largest volume Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vespa motorcycle dealer throughout the 70s. Operating 14
dealerships that sold motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles throughout Ohio. Rick was always involved in helping his
community. In 1981 the idea was born for the “Rick Case Bikes for Kids” program. He would ask the community to
drop off their old bicycles to any of his 14 dealerships, his stores would fix them and deliver them to organizations
that supported children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to have a bike in time for the holidays. This
year is the 39th year of this program having given over 100,000 bikes to date.
1
A True Pioneer – Introducing new automotive brands to the U.S. market:
Rick was well known as one of the most successful retail pioneers of new car brands in the U.S. Throughout his
career he took on the challenge of investing in and introducing new brands to the U.S. market including Toyota,
FIAT, Honda, Lancia, Isuzu, Acura, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia and Smart Car. He started selling Honda’s in Akron, Ohio
in 1972 and became the largest volume dealer in the nation his first month in business. To this day he still holds the
world record for selling the most Honda cars in one month; 1,222. Rick also holds the volume record for Acura, Fiat
and Honda Motorcycles. Was the world’s largest volume Acura dealer 10 years in a row and when Hyundai was
introduced in 1986, he immediately became the nation’s largest volume dealer and held that title for years. Today,
with many brands, his dealerships’ sales volume continues to rank top in the nation.

Rita & Rick Case:

Rick met Rita at a Honda convention in 1977. Rita ran her parents’ Honda car and motorcycle dealership in Santa
Rosa, California. It was love at first site for Rick, he had to close the most important sale of his life; getting Rita to
say “yes", leave her dealership and move to Akron, Ohio. They married in 1980, sharing the same passion for the
industry and the rest has been history. Together they have built an automotive empire that would be respected in
the industry as one of the highest volume and best operated groups in the country. Rick CEO and Rita COO, for 40
years working as an unstoppable team always leading by example. “Rick and Rita intend to be #1 at everything they
start, and they succeed time and time again. As a team, and individually, you couldn’t ask for better business
partners or competitors. First class all the way”- Roger Penske, Chairman, Penske Corporation.

Created the 10-year / 100,000-mile Warranty:

One of Rick’s many legacies will be when Hyundai was failing in the U.S. market in 1996 due to a bad reputation for
poor quality, he presented to their top leadership a very bold and very confident solution for a 10-year 100,000-
mile warranty. He knew if Hyundai did not do something to show product confidence, they would have to leave the
U.S., Rick’s idea saved Hyundai and later became a standard warranty for many manufactures.

The Ultimate Marketing Guru:

Rick was a master at creative marketing and always came up with outside the box ideas to satisfy his burning desire
to be #1 in everything he did. He was a very confident salesman that knew putting your customer first is what will
make your business the best, in turn putting customer convenience as the most important concept in his marketing
strategy. Rick continued to invest in his business growth year-after-year. He built the world’s largest dealerships;
for example, the only eight-story dealership where the showroom elevator conveniently takes the customer to the
designated floor displaying the specific model they are shopping for, saving the customer and sales person time
from having to search through the lot. He was an innovator for the retail auto industry, as well as a founder of
some of the most successful, elite, and unique annual philanthropic events, most celebrating over 30 years. Rick
always had a new idea, and the rare ability to motivate a team to follow his lead and execute his plan to achieve his
fundraising goals. His enthusiasm and passion for his ideas were contagious. His endless positive energy, work
ethic and personal commitment to “never take no for an answer” was his formula for success. Rick would always
say “persistence removes resistance”.

“Entrepreneurs are the artists of the business world, or the blank space. There’s nothing happening and an
entrepreneur comes along and says, ‘Aha! I see how to make this magic happen.’ And they bring it about. So, it’s
about creativity in business; it’s an artistic ability. And Rick Case has that - he has it in spades.” – Mike Jackson,
Chairman & CEO, Autonation

2
Autobiography, “Our Customers Our Friends”:
Rick wrote a book in 2012 to celebrate his 50 years as a car dealer, a story of his career, "Our Customers Our
Friends." Being the best is not easy. It requires dedication, hard work, passion, and a plan to sell more than
anybody else. With a work culture that understands “treating your customer as your best friend” which has been
the Rick Case Automotive Group mission statement for 40 years. It is a simple to understand way of doing great
business, which is one reason why Rick Case is one of the most successful car dealers in America and was the first
dealer ever to receive the J.D. Power Customer Service Award. “Part of Rick’s success in selling is that he genuinely
cares about the customer, really thinks like a customer, and treats the customer as he would like to be treated.
That’s where Rick comes from.” -Mike Jackson, Chairman & CEO, Autonation

Everyone always asked him how he could accomplish so much, like most successful entrepreneurs he would start
early, plan his day, and work his plan. Rick would always say “I am just a car salesman from Akron, Ohio with a big
dream”. He always showed appreciation to his family, business associates and communities; all those who helped
him achieve those dreams.
*A complimentary copy of the book is available at all Rick Case Automotive dealerships.
2020 Marks the 59th Anniversary of Rick Case Automotive Group:
The Rick Case Automotive group is celebrating its 59th year in business and is home to over 1,300 associates. Rick
was the CEO of the group’s operations until his passing. Rick’s legacy and his Automotive empire will continue with
the same passion for customer treatment, same persistence for volume success and same appreciation for an
industry that provides every individual with personal freedom. His wife and business partner Rita, COO of the Rick
Case Automotive Group, along with their children Ryan and Raquel, active in leadership roles, are committed to
keeping Rick's 59 years of building the "Rick Case" brand a business and community success. Rick proposed one last
challenge to them "Go ahead, beat my records and make me proud”. With 16 dealerships in Florida, Georgia and
Ohio, the Rick Case Automotive Group sells Acura, Audi, Hyundai, Genesis, Volkswagen, Kia, Mazda, Fiat, Maserati,
Alfa Romeo and Honda Automobiles and Motorcycles.

“There are a lot of car dealerships around, but some just perform better than others. That’s because those dealers
have figured how to innovate to stay ahead of the competition in every aspect of their business. That’s Rick Case.”
– H. Wayne Huizenga, Founder, Autonation, Blockbuster Entertainment and Waste Management, Inc.
Rick Case - Community & Charity Support:
Boys & Girls Clubs; Habitat for Humanity; Nova Southeastern University; American Heart Association; American
Cancer Association; Cleveland Clinic; Jack & Jill’s Children’s Center; just to name a few. Rick was deeply committed
to community improvement and was well known for giving his time, business experience and resources to
improve community organizations. Rick had a passion for creating opportunities for people and providing them
with the tools to be successful in life. He created opportunities for his friends to give back to the community, kids
to receive an education, families to own a home, and associates to provide for their families.

Top Awards & Recognitions:

❖ 2001 Rick Case inducted into the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame of Nova University Wayne Huizenga
Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship

❖ 2004 Rita and Rick Case presented in New York City the USA Today and the National Automobile Dealer
Association 2003 National Dealer Innovation Award

❖ 2006 Rick Case presented with the Time Magazine Dealer of the Year Award

❖ 2011 Rita and Rick Case honored as Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst & Young
3
 ❖ 2013 Rita and Rick Case presented the 2013 All-Star Dealer Award by Automotive News

❖ 2019 Rita and Rick Case were presented the 2019 Honda President’s Award
-Largest dealer in the country to ever receive this award 12 years in a row-

Family:
Richard (Rick) James Case was born October 22, 1942 in Akron, Ohio to parents Richard and Eva, and the oldest of
four boys. All preceded Rick in death. Rick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rita; son and daughter-in-law, Rick
and Christine Case; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Francesca Case; daughter and son-in-law, Raquel and Greg
Travaline and 5 grandchildren. He will be remembered by his family as a pinnacle of positive energy who always
motivated them be the very best and to do what you love so you never feel like you worked a day in your life. Rick
was a proud father and gramps and loved to plan fun family trips and bring everyone together. He loved his wife
and children with all his heart.

“Rick had the most amazing mind for problem solving. He set his goals so high, most could not dream that
big. His work ethic and passion to succeed was very intense and always had me chasing to keep up. He
always treated me as his equal and allowed me to share in his spotlight of success. Let there be no doubt,
Rick created, built, and operated his company with a single passion to be the biggest and best. He spent
hours every day educating himself on the latest information about the auto industry and I learned from him
every day. I will miss our morning meetings and sharing our "to do list". He told me he had no doubt I could
continue our business success without him. I trust his confidence in me and will make him proud as will our
children. He was a wonderful husband and loving father. I will miss him so much; he was truly one of a kind
and always so positive. I'm so proud of him and thankful to have shared 40 years with such a special, caring,
and supportive husband.” – Rita Case

Donations in memory of Rick Case:

A private ceremony will be held for immediate family with a “celebration of life” in the future. Rick believed that
education is the greatest gift you can give someone. Memorial donations may be made in his honor supporting the
Rick Case Educational Scholarship Fund benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC). BGCBC
headquarters is located at 877 N.W. 61st Street #100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, or email for gift instructions to
Attn: Kerry Becker / kbecker@bgcbc.org.

If you would like to send the family a personal message and or any photos of Rick, please send to
family@rickcase.com .

###

---
Media Contact:
Valerie Zucker: 305.321.7556
Valerie@ZuckerLewis.com
Editor’s note: Quotes included within the release from Roger Penske, Mike Jackson and Wayne Huizenga are
directly from, “Our Customers, our Friends,” the Rick Case autobiography.

4
 RITA AND RICK CASE AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS

2020 Rita and Rick were honored as Business Leaders of the Year by FAU College of Business

2019 Rita and Rick were presented with the 2019 President's Award for Excellence in Community Service
by Nova Southeastern University

2019 Rita was inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame of the Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship

2019 Rita and Rick were recipients of the National Legends of Auto Award by Auto News

2019 Rita and Rick Case were presented the 2019 Honda President's Award
-Largest dealer in the country to ever receive this award 12 years in a row-

2018 Rita and Rick were honored with the 2018 Ray Ferraro, Jr. Leadership Award by the
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance of Broward County

2017 Rita and Rick were honored at the American Heart Association Heart Ball

2017 Rita and Rick Case presented the 1921 Society Award by Cleveland Clinic

2016 Rita and Rick Case were presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by Kiwanis Club of Davie and Hollywood

2016 Rita and Rick Case were presented the Economic Development Leadership Award by
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council

2016 Rita and Rick Case presented Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award by Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County

2016 Rita and Rick Case presented the National Service to Youth Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and
Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County

2013 Rita and Rick Case presented the 2013 All-Star Dealer Award by Automotive News

2013 Rita and Rick Case inducted into Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame

2012 Rita and Rick Case presented The National David F. Mungenast Lifetime Achievement Award
by The American International Auto Dealers Association

2011 Rita and Rick Case honored as National Medallion Award Winners by the Boys & Girls Club of America
for unusually devoted service to the Boys & Girls Clubs.

2011 Rick Case honored for his 25 years of service on the Corporate Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County

2011 Rita and Rick Case presented the key to the Town of Davie
(A rare occurrence with the last time being over 10 years ago)

2011 Rita and Rick Case honored by Project Stable for their years of Community Service

2011 Rita and Rick Case honored as Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst & Young

2011 Rita and Rick Case honored as Outstanding Business Leader by Northwood University

5
 2011 Rita and Rick Case presented the 2010 Honda President’s Award
- Largest dealer in the country to ever receive this award 3 years in a row -

2011 Rita and Rick Case honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Soref Jewish Community Center

2010 Rita Case honored as Top 100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry by Automotive News

2008 Rita and Rick Case presented with Style and Substance Award by Symphony of the Americas

2007 Rita and Rick Case honored as Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals

2007 Rick Case Auto Group honored as Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals

2007 Rita Case presented Spirit of Leadership Award

at the National Automotive Dealers Association Convention by the Women’s Automobile Association

2006 Rita and Rick Case honored as Leaders of the Year by Leadership Broward Foundation

2006 Rita and Rick Case presented the Dealer Education Award by Northwood University

2006 Rita and Rick Case inducted into the Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement of South Florida

2006 Rick Case presented with the Time Magazine Dealer of the Year Award

2005 Rita and Rick Case presented with the Valor Award by the American Diabetes Association

2005 Rita Case named Distinguished Woman of the Year by Northwood University

2004 Rita and Rick Case presented in New York City the USA Today and the National Automobile
Dealer Association 2003 National Dealer Innovation Award

2004 Rick Case presented the Rotary International “Paul Harris Fellow” Award

2003 Rita and Rick Case presented the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Excalibur Award

2003 Rita and Rick Case presented Humanitarian of the Year Award by EASE Foundation

2003 Rita and Rick Case presented Humanitarian of the Year Award by Nova Southeastern University

2001 Rick Case inducted into the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame of Nova Southeastern University
Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship.

2000 Rita and Rick Case presented the Boys and Girls Clubs Dream Makers Award for over 10 years of service and
donating over $1 Million. (This award has been presented to only 3 other honorees in 15 years)

1999 Rick Case presented the Silver Medallion Award by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America

1997 Rick Case received the AIADA Sports Illustrated All-Star Dealer Award in Washington D.C.
for demonstrating outstanding customer service, community service and leadership within the Automotive Industry.

1996 Rick Case presented the Child Advocate of the Year Award by Child Care Connection.

1996 Rick Case presented the Bronze Keystone Award by Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
6
 1995 Rick Case presented the C.A.R.E. Award – (Children Are Reasons for Excellence)
by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Florida Area Council.

1993 Rick Case presented the “Rick Case” Pinnacle Award which was created to recognize
extraordinary dedication to the Boys and Girls Clubs.

1988 Rick Case presented with the Star Achievement Award by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County

- BOARD PARTICIPATION -
RICK CASE
Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County Corporate Board, 1986 - present
Boys and Girls Clubs President, 1996 & 1997
Boys and Girls Clubs Executive Committee, 1996 - 2008
Boys and Girls Clubs Chairman, 1998
Plantation Gateway Community Redevelopment Advisory Board, 1999 - 2004
Broward Workshop Board Broward County Economic Advisors, 2000 - present
Boys and Girls Clubs - Founding President New Davie Clubs, 2002
Boys and Girls Clubs Co-President of Davie, Florida Club, 2002 - 2006 with wife Rita Case
Board of Trustees Nova Southeastern University, 2002 - present
Broward County Sheriff’s Advisory Board, 2003 - present
The Broward Alliance CEO Council, 2008-present