On May 19, 2010, the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) presented its second annual L.A.N. Grassroots Advocacy Award to Paul Atkinson of Bryan, Texas during AIADA's 4th Annual International Auto Industry Summit in Washington, D.C.
Atkinson has been a member of AIADA since 2000 and has been deeply involved in dealer advocacy efforts both regionally and nationally. He currently serves as chairman of the Toyota National Dealer Council, as well as president of the Toyota Dealer Advertising Council for Gulf States Toyota. In February and March, he helped lead a contingency of Toyota dealers who traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf their brand, dealerships, and employees.
Atkinson is the Dealer and General Manager of Atkinson Toyota Scion in Bryan, Texas and Atkinson Toyota Madisonville. His dealerships have received the Toyota President's Award for 10 consecutive years, as well as the Toyota Financial Circle of Excellence Award in 2009. A former minister, Atkinson remains active in his local church, as well as several other community service efforts, including the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, the President's Development Council at Harding University, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
