Featured Dealer
Lou Giordano
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Dealers Helping Others
Dealership: Croton Auto Park
Owner: Lou Giordano
Location: Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester, NY
The owner of the largest Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties, Lou Giordano is a dealer with a big facility – over five acres of new and pre-owned vehicles – as well as a big heart.
Since February 2008, Lou has invited young people with severe learning disabilities to work in his dealership to give them real-world work experience and help them grow in confidence. Under the direction of Westchester ARC (the oldest and largest agency in Westchester County serving children and adults with disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy) – six individuals work one day a week at Lou’s dealership.
"The program fosters independence, productivity and participation in community life," says Lou. "The experience they get is enormously important to their personal development and sense of self worth, "said Lou. "It's a great pleasure to help Westchester ARC with the important work that they do."
Lou entered the auto business in the late 1970s as the owner of a transmission franchise and auto repair shop and a decade later he became a used automobile wholesale dealer. He became a franchised dealer in 1991 when he opened a Dodge store in Croton. He later acquired a Chevy and Jeep franchise. Last year, he swapped his Chevy brand for Chrysler and consolidated it with Dodge and Jeep at a new facility at 1 Municipal Place in Croton-on-Hudson.
In addition to helping Westchester Arc, Lou supports local Little League, soccer and football programs. He is also a major sponsor of the Support Connection Walk, a breast and ovarian cancer walk that takes place at the FDR State Park each year.
His generous support of local charities is matched by his commitment to the industry. An active GNYADA member, Lou has been on the executive committee since 2004, is chairman of GNYADA’s important Government Relations Committee and has served as a member of the Public Relations, Dealer Services, and Autocap Committees. He has been Vice Chairman since 2004-5.
Perched on a hillside overlooking the Hudson River, Croton Auto Park is the perfect location to display his Jeep models some of which are parked on a rock escarpment at the rear of his facility. Like his dealership's location, Lou has an impressive view of the industry and the community in which he serves.
