Each year at our annual convention, we honor a member of the TADA board of directors who has contributed to the success of the organization. The award is the Walter B. Wainwright Key Director Award, named for the revered former leader of the Houston Automobile Dealers Association. This is the only TADA award that is kept a secret until the moment it is presented at the conference.

This year’s winner started in the car business at Penske Auto. He worked in the Parts department doing jobs like cleaning the shop and stocking inventory. His hard work and dedicated effort allowed him to make his way up the ranks.

As with most dealers, he has a passion for cars. His dad recalls gifting him his first vehicle as a teen: an old Chevrolet Malibu with the interior backseat floors eroded away. He laughingly recalls having to use tin to cover the holes in the floorboard. He definitely was an expert at making the very best with what he had been given.

During his time as a salesman and sales manager, he was remembered by his catchy slogan: “selling cars like candy bars.” And he was good at selling lots of them.

When he is not working, he enjoys golf and bowling. His biggest hobby, though, is spending time with his daughters — he has four of them — and his grandchildren.

Ladies and Gentlemen … your TADA Key Director for 2024, C.J. Barnett.