Rita Case to become CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group
Rita Case, widow of South Florida auto sales magnate Rick Case, will assume the role of CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, the company announced Wednesday.
The couple were longtime business partners and frequently appeared together at company events. Rita Case served as chief operating officer prior to her husband’s death on Sept. 21 after a short battle with cancer. He was 77.
“Rita will continue to lead the autogroup with the same business philosophy and commitment to excellence that she has alongside Rick for the past 40 years,” thecompany said in a statement. “They were seen in the auto industry as a team, they thrived on finding new frontiers, pioneering new brands never sold in the U.S. market.”
In her own statement, Rita Case said she plans to continue her late husband’s 59-year commitment to developing “an out standing business reputation” for the Rick Case brand.
“After working side by side, building the company with my husband, the CEO role comes naturally,” she said. “I do have one goal: to make sure that Rick Case will always be remembered as a master in marketing, who attained volume sales records that still today have yet to be broken.”
Rita Case also said she plans to continue to embrace “the spirit of a customer-minded business and a committed community spirit.”
She added, “Our business philosophy is simple— treat every customer as you would your best friend.”
The couple has two children, Ryan, 39, and Rachel, 36, both in leadership roles in the company.
Headquartered in Sunrise, Rick Case Automotive Group operates 16 dealerships in Florida, Georgia and Ohio, selling Acura, Audi, Hyundai, Genesis, Volkswagen, Kia, Mazda, Fiat, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Honda cars and motorcycles.