Jill Merriam of Key Hyundai Receives Central Connecticut State University's Women in Business Award

April 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Jill Merriam, owner two successful Connecticut Hyundai car dealerships, Key Hyundai of Manchester serving Central Connecticut and Key Hyundai of Milford serving Fairfield and New Haven County, has been selected by the Central Connecticut State University Business Advisory and Advancement Council of the School of Business as the 2012 recipient of the School’s Women, Minority or Disadvantaged Business Award.

Jill Merriam Reinvents the Car Dealer with Personality Branding and a Mission

As a small Connecticut business owner employing nearly 100 full and part-time CT residents, Jill Merriam has led Key Hyundai (http://www.keycars.com/) to revamp the automotive business with a mission to provide transportation solutions to customers, and never be a product pusher.

A successful woman in a predominantly man’s automotive world, Jill is familiar with being the odd girl out. But as the hands-­on owner/operator and personality of Key Hyundai, she has consistently bucked every stereotype known to man and car dealer alike, and introduced a new way of doing business.

By harnessing an innovative approach to selling cars, she revamped her family’s 3‐generation car business to become an automotive solution provider over product pusher. Her efforts to educate and lead her Connecticut employees has created a groundswell of like-­minded thinkers and leaders, all committed to meeting the needs of the community.

"Giving back to the community is good business," said Jill Merriam.

"Giving back is part of my big-picture growth plans for the dealership," said Jill Merriam, widely knows as Dealer For The People on the radio. "Giving back is part of who I am, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I like to tie every campaign into a charitable event or non-profit cause, and look to my customers and employees for suggestions."

The Central Connecticut State University School of Business recognized community leaders in four different categories including:  Distinguished Graduate Excellence Award, Women, Minority or Disadvantaged Business Excellence Award, Entrepreneurship Excellence Award, and Corporate Partner.  The Purpose of the School of Business Hall of Honor is to encourage, recognize, and reward individual initiative and collaboration in achieving excellence in an endeavor that creates long-lasting value and has a significant impact on the larger community.

Jill Merriam is honored to be part of the CCSU recognition and congratulates fellow Connecticut community business leaders United Technologies Inc. – Corporate Partner; Brian Newman of JH Cohen – Distinguished Graduate; and Dan Siracusa of Siracusa Moving and Storage – Entrepreneurship Excellence for their fine work in Connecticut.

Key Hyundai Proud Sponsor of Connecticut Community Activities and Events

Jill Merriam and Key Hyundai has been actively involved in several community events including, but not limited to: Hyundai Hope on Wheels; Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford School Supply Drive; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Ragnar Relay; Komen Race for the Cure; Cruisin' on Main Street; Milford Public Schools Pays for A's; Rockville High School Project Graduation; CT DOT Stop Distracted Driving Campaign; H'Art of Art Connecticut Children's Foundation; Milford Rotary Club; and many local school, youth sports, health related, and musical events.

The 2012 Hall of Honor Event at Central Connecticut State University will take place on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the Constitution Room of Memorial Hall. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rosa Colon at 860-832-3209 at CCSU or email ColonR@ccsu.edu.

# # #

Connecticut’s Key Hyundai of Manchester and Key Hyundai of Milford are owned and operated by Jill Merriam, Dealer For The People, who revamps the car business with her personal, fully transparent approach to getting CT drivers into nicer, newer cars they can afford to drive. Committed to providing automotive solutions to her customers instead of pushing product, she has built a loyal customer base that relies on the staff at Key Hyundai to help solve their transportation needs: whether a family car or better gas mileage or getting out from under impossible payments, Key Hyundai will help get you where you need to be. Visit www.keycars.com or call 1-800-450-1422 and tell them Jill said to call!