Value of ethics evident in one generous gift

David W. Wilson -- Biography

The David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics was funded in 1999 through David W. Wilson's generous gift. Mr. Wilson, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, a Traer, Iowa native, and current resident of Laguna Beach, California, has been involved in the automotive sales for over 30 years.

Mr. Wilson is the owner and president of twelve Southern California and Arizona automobile dealerships employing over 1,200 people. Sales exceed $1 billion annually, making the Wilson Automotive Group the sixth largest privately held auto group in the nation. David Wilson attributes his success to focusing on high ethical standards and making business decisions using those standards. His professional success and philanthropic endeavors have been well recognized by industry and community organizations alike.

Learn more:
     David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics
     Wilson Chair activities
     The Conversation after Enron



David W. Wilson: Professional Recognitions
As a 1999 Governor Gray Davis appointee, Mr. Wilson continues to serve on the California New Motor Vehicle Board. He has been a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association and the American Import Auto Dealers Association for over 15 years, and has served on the National Board of Directors of American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). Mr. Wilson has also served on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Motor Car Dealers Association, the Toyota Regional Dealer Council, and the Board of Directors of the Southern California Toyota Dealers Advertising Association. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors for the Orange Chamber of Commerce and was selected Business Person of the Year by the Chamber for 1987. He received the Sports Illustrated Dealer of Distinction Award in 1988, and the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award for 1991. In June 2000 he was awarded the prestigious Passkey Award for Business Ethics by the Ralph W. Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics.

David W. Wilson: Philanthropy
In 1999 Mr. Wilson contributed $1,000,000 to UNI, to endow a Chair in Business Ethics. His philanthropy, however, goes well beyond his alma mater. Mr. Wilson and one of his dealerships, Toyota of Orange (Orange County, California), were the originators/sponsors of the 'Round Orange Race a 10K/5K run with nearly 4,000 participants that annually raises over $250,000 for the Orangewood Children's Foundation. Recently Mr. Wilson joined the prestigious Chapman University Board of Trustees. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and was the Chairman of the annual golf tournament, which raises nearly $200,000 annually. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Orangewood Children's Foundation and was honored for the Foundation's Orange Blossom Ball, which raised over $300,000.

His commitment to community has been rewarded. In 1998 he was presented with the AIADA All-Star Dealer Award for commitment to the community and work with charitable organizations. A panel of community leaders named Mr. Wilson one of 10 "Local Heroes" and his likeness appeared on several 90-foot-high billboards at "The Block," one of Orange County's largest retail and entertainment centers. In 2000 he received the Boy Scouts' "Good Scout Award" for exceptional community service and Chapman University honored him as Orange County's Outstanding Corporate Citizen at the University's annual American Celebration. In 2005, David received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award for Overcoming Adversity to Achieve Success. Members of the Alger organization mentor young people and annually sponsor more than $5 million in need-based scholarships to high school seniors who have proven their ability to overcome childhood adversities.

In appreciation for Mr. Wilson's generosity to his employees and the community, the David Wilson Endowment Fund was established by his employees and friends to benefit Orangewood. This fund now contains over $500,000 and enables worthy former residents of the Children's Home to obtain a post-secondary education they would not otherwise be able to afford. Currently a number of Orangewood alumnae attend college and trade or technical schools as a result of this endowment.

Learn more:
     David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics
     Wilson Chair activities
     The Conversation after Enron