CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Berman Auto Group is celebrating 30 years as an outstanding business in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council was informed of this milestone by Alderman Margaret Laurino, 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Michael Berman started working at Grossinger Pontiac dealership in Chicago, his first job in the auto business. Michael had an honest approach in his sales methods, keeping his customers best interests in mind and responding to their needs. As a result, Mr. Berman was promoted to special accounts manager, sales manager, general manager, and finally, Vice President of Grossinger Auto Group, managing five franchises; and
WHEREAS, By 1988, with the encouragement and assistance of Mr. Grossinger, Michael purchased Mid City Nissan and relocated it to a more desirable location. Mr. Berman's business sense and priority on customer service grew the dealership from one that was underperforming to the 2nd most successful in the Midwest and top 10 in the country; and
WHEREAS, Taking notice of Mr. Berman's successful dealership, he was offered the Subaru franchise for the area and opened his business on Irving Park Road in 1992. This dealership quickly became the largest Subaru dealership in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Mr. Berman acquired King Nissan, the largest Nissan dealership in the Midwest and re-named it Star Nissan "Where the Customer Was Treated like a Star." The next 14 years were devoted to growing his existing his dealerships and raising his sons, Ross and Todd;and
WHEREAS, Since Ross and Todd were both interested in joining the family business after college, they followed a course of studies that would position themselves to eventually lead the dealerships. Ross graduated from Northwood University with multiple degrees in automotive, management, marketing and finance and Todd graduated from Indiana University, Kelly School of Business, with degrees in Entrepreneurship and Operations; and
WHEREAS, By 2009, Michael Berman opened Berman Infiniti of Chicago with his sons by his side. The business soon became the largest Infiniti dealership in Chicago. The Bermans expanded to the state of Indiana, opening Berman Infiniti of Merrillville, now the largest Infiniti dealer in that state; and
WHEREAS, Michael, Ross, and Todd Berman were an unstoppable team, breaking their all-time sales record selling 7,868 new and use vehicles in 2015, only to break their record again in 2016; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, the Bermans relocated and expanded the Mid City Nissan location to become Berman Nissan of Chicago. The dealership grew from 40,000 to almost 300,000 square feet of space, unlimited customer parking, a 400 car indoor showroom and 50 service stalls; and
WHEREAS, The leaders of this great City of Chicago are cognizant and appreciative of the many contributions which the leading businesses bring to our communities and to the public welfare in general; now, therefore.
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago assembled this twenty-ninth day of March, 2017, do hereby offer our heartiest congratulations to Berman Auto Group on 30 years as an outstanding Chicago business, and extend our very best wishes for success and prosperity in the future; and
MARGARET LAURINO Alderman, 39th Ward
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Berman Family as a token of our appreciation.
