[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING PHILIP P. SMITH ON RECEIVING THE SUN SENTINEL'S 2013 
   EXCALIBUR AWARD FOR BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR IN BROWARD COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2014

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Philip P. Smith, the president and chief executive officer of Phil 
Smith Management, Inc., on receiving the Sun Sentinel's 2013 Excalibur 
Award for Business Leader of the Year in Broward County. Each year, the 
Sun Sentinel recognizes outstanding business executives who exemplify 
both business leadership and community involvement, and I can think of 
no one more deserving of this honor than Phil.
  Well known as the founder of Phil Smith Chevrolet, a successful 
General Motors (GM) dealership in my Congressional district that serves 
the greater South Florida area from Palm Beach to Broward and Miami-
Dade Counties, Phil bought into his first auto dealership 35 years ago. 
While finishing college at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), he 
started working at a Ford dealership in Pompano Beach. Owner Pete 
Menten saw Phil's potential, and not only kept him on the job after his 
graduation but later gave him the chance to buy into a small Toyota 
store in Homestead. With help and support from Menten, Southeast Toyota 
Distributors Chief Jim Moran, and others, Phil grew his business and 
now leads an auto-dominated group with 780 employees and about $500 
million in annual revenue.
  With a direct hands-on sales and management approach, Phil has built 
his company from the ground up and now operates 17 auto dealerships 
throughout Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, as well as the Coral 
Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale. Just as in the very beginning, 
he remains true to the principles that have put him at the forefront of 
his business model: paying it forward and strong relationships with 
customers. Phil offers promising employees the same chance that he was 
given, to become a part owner in each of his auto franchises and pursue 
the American Dream through hard work and dedication.
  Even with his great success, he remains grounded to the things that 
matter most. Phil is civically engaged and active in his community. In 
addition to his charitable giving, he serves on the boards for his alma 
mater FAU, the Orange Bowl Committee, and various non-profits that 
focus on issues such as health and education. Phil also welcomes 
several high school teams to practice on the golf course at Coral Ridge 
Country Club without charge.
  Mr. Speaker, Phil Smith is not only an exceptional entrepreneur, but 
a community leader and dear friend. It is truly a pleasure to recognize 
him on receiving the Excalibur Award for Business Leader of the Year.

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