Midas Franchisee Ron Katz named ‘Humanitarian of the Year’
Tire Business presents community-minded Florida franchisee with one of the industry’s biggest awards
Palm Beach Gardens, FL – November 1, 2021 – Ron Katz, a community-minded Midas franchisee with three stores in Florida, has been presented with the 2021 Tire Business Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award, one of the industry’s most prestigious designations.
The award, which is open to any car-repair center owner in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, recognizes just one independent tire dealer each year who has made an especially significant contribution to the community. Katz was recognized on Monday, Nov. 1, prior to the opening of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.
“Ron has an impressive record of giving back,” said Tire Business Editor Don Detore. “The independent panel that judged the candidates factored in the blood drives at his shops and Teacher of the Month sponsorships with local schools. In addition, he has taken a proactive role in hurricane relief efforts—in 2019, when Dorian hit the Bahamas, and 2017, when Maria devastated Puerto Rico.” In total, Katz and his team delivered supplies totaling $100,000 for the two hurricane relief initiatives.
When Federal employees were furloughed in 2019, Katz offered them free services. His team recently acquired, repaired, and donated a car to the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast. He staged a fundraiser for the wife of one of his favorite entertainers, who had esophageal cancer, raising close to $10,000. This year, he ran COVID-19 vaccination drives in two of his shops
“We are proud to have Ron as member of the Midas family—and excited he has received this recognition,” said Midas VP & GM Lenny Valentino. “Ron has clearly taken the ‘Midas Fixes More than Just Cars’ commitment to heart and is making an impact.”
“Giving back just feels like the right thing to do,“ said Katz, who opened his first store in 2016 and two years later was named Franchisee of the Year. “If I could, I would do it full time. Like most people, I’ve had good times in my life and tough times when I would have liked someone to help me. So it just feels good to be in a position to offer assistance.”
In addition to receiving the award, Katz earned a $2,500 donation from Tire Business to his charity of choice: Saint Jude‘s Children’s Hospital. “I chose Saint Jude‘s because I like what it stands for,” he said. “St. Jude’s makes sure that when a child is sick, the parents never have to pay for the hospital stay. I cannot think of a better or more compassionate charity.”
# #
About Midas
Midas is one of the world’s largest providers of automotive services, offering brake, tire, maintenance, exhaust, steering and suspension services at 2,100 franchised and licensed Midas stores in 16 countries, including nearly 1,200 in the United States and Canada. For more information visit midas.com.