On May 21, 2013, the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) honored Minnesota auto dealers Morrie Wagener and Cindy Wagener Robin with its Legislative Action Network (L.A.N.) Grassroots Award at the association’s 7th Annual International Auto Industry Summit in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes their advocacy in reaching out and engaging Congress and other policy makers on issues important to the international nameplate auto dealer community.
Morrie Wagener began his career as a mechanic after graduating from Minnesota’s Dunwoody Institute and opened his first dealership in 1960. Today, he operates Morrie’s Automotive Group, which encompasses 10 brands and 13 locations. His daughter, Cindy Wagener Robin, serves as the company’s senior vice president. Together, they are active in the auto industry and with their legislators on the local, state, and national levels, including the Automotive Free International Trade Political Action Committee (AFIT-PAC), Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association, and AIADA.
Wagener and Wagener Robin are also active in the Twin Cities region. Together, they have donated time and resources to multiple causes—including Perspectives Family Center, Sharing and Caring Hands, and Toys for Tots—through the initiative “Morries Gives Back.” Wagener has served on the Dunwoody Institute board of directors for 35 years and supports his alma mater through fundraising initiatives.
