Northwood University Celebrates Automobile Dealer Education Honorees and Barbara Cox Woman of the Year During NADA Show 2026
Northwood University celebrated four automotive industry leaders whose careers exemplify ethical leadership, earned success, and a commitment to developing people during the 2026 Dealer Education Awards Breakfast, held Feb. 5 in conjunction with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show.
Established in 1972, Northwood’s Dealer Education Awards recognize industry professionals who demonstrate that lasting success is built through ethical leadership, mentorship, and talent cultivation. Honorees are selected not only for professional achievement, but for the influence they have on their teams, communities, and the future of the automotive industry.
Together, this year’s recipients — along with a member of last year’s Dealer Education Award class who was celebrated in person this year — represent the kind of leadership Northwood University seeks to cultivate in students — including what it means to create value, earn trust, and lead with purpose.
That emphasis on role-modeling and talent development was a consistent theme throughout the program.
“Northwood exists to prepare students who are ready to create value from day one,” said Northwood University President Kent MacDonald. “The individuals we honor through the Dealer Education Awards embody the principles we teach — earned success, ethical leadership, and service. Our students look to leaders like these as examples of what is possible in a competitive, free-enterprise marketplace.”
During the program, Northwood University recognized Todd Szott, dealer partner with Szott Auto Group, and Clifford Cicotte, president of Spirit Ford, as this year’s Automobile Dealer Education Award recipients. Northwood University also joined Cox Automotive in honoring Rita Case, president and CEO of the Rick Case Automotive Group, as the 2026 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year.
In addition, Kristin Dillard Sodoma — a member of last year’s Dealer Education Award Class — was recognized in person during this year’s breakfast celebration. Sodoma was unable to attend last year’s event and was honored alongside this year’s recipients.
Szott was honored for a career that spans high-tech manufacturing, dealership leadership, and automotive retail ownership. After beginning his professional journey at Apple Computer, Szott returned to Michigan to pursue a calling in the automotive industry, where he has since earned repeated recognition for operational excellence, including multiple Ford President’s Awards. In 2026, he will also serve as chairman of the Detroit Auto Show.
Cicotte was recognized for a career defined by perseverance and belief in earned success. Beginning on the showroom floor, Cicotte steadily built his knowledge of dealership operations before purchasing and revitalizing Spirit Ford in Dundee, Michigan. His story stands as proof to students and young professionals that dealership ownership and leadership are achievable through commitment, learning, and trust.
Sodoma has built a distinguished career in automotive retail leadership, earning respect for her strategic vision, operational excellence, and commitment to cultivating high-performing teams. Throughout her career, she has championed ethical business practices and professional development, reinforcing the principle that long-term success in the automotive industry is rooted in earned trust and strong leadership.
Her recognition as part of the Dealer Education Award Class reflects not only her professional accomplishments but also the example she sets for emerging leaders — demonstrating how resilience, integrity, and people-centered leadership drive sustainable success.
The Barbara Cox Woman of the Year award recognizes women who have made extraordinary contributions to the automotive industry while championing leadership and community advocacy. As the leader of one of the nation’s largest retail automotive groups, Rita Case oversees operations generating more than $2 billion in annual sales across dealerships in South Florida and Atlanta. Beyond business success, Case has also been widely recognized for her philanthropic work and her commitment to advancing opportunities for women in business.
Included with the award is a $10,000 donation to a charity of Case’s choice, along with a $10,000 contribution to the Barbara Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awarded a gift to Northwood student Breanne Pratley.
Case’s relationship with Northwood University spans decades, during which she has been honored as an Outstanding Business Leader, Distinguished Woman of the Year, and Dealer Education Award recipient — making her selection as Barbara Cox Woman of the Year especially meaningful to the Northwood community.
“Events like the Dealer Education Awards remind our students that leadership is not theoretical — it is lived out every day in dealerships and communities across the country,” said Professor Elgie Bright, chair of Northwood’s automotive marketing and management degree program, a component of the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies. “Our honorees show students what it means to lead with purpose while creating opportunity for others.”
Beyond formal recognition, the Dealer Education Awards Breakfast gave Northwood University students hands-on experiential learning opportunities. Selected students served as presenters for each honoree, placing them in direct conversation with industry leaders and creating unique, high-impact networking opportunities. This year’s student presenters included Max Hart, Logan Wilmot, and Bella Smylie.
“These moments reflect the hands-on approach that defines America’s Automotive University,” said Vice President of Enrollment and Strategic Alliances Dr. Matthew Bennett. “Through industry-supported scholarships, national professional engagement, and high-level leadership experiences such as the Northwood University International Auto Show — North America’s largest student-run outdoor new car auto show — Northwood connects classroom learning with real-world industry access, preparing students to lead with confidence from their first day on the job.”
