William Perkins, president, Bill Perkins Automotive Group:
Bill Perkins made history in 2012 as the first African American to be appointed as the chair of the 2012 North American International Auto Show, billed as the largest of its kind in the world.
After graduating from the GM Dealer Development Academy in 1987, Perkins went on to own and operate five dealerships in Southeastern Michigan. The Bill Perkins Automotive Group employs approximately 150 people and manages the operations of Merollis Chevrolet in Eastpointe, Mich., and Taylor Chevrolet in Taylor. Bill has also served as president of the Greater Detroit Chevrolet Dealers Association, president of the General Motors Minority Dealers Association, a member of the Board of the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers, and chairman of the Auto Dealers Political Action Committee for the State of Michigan.
