The Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce presented the Cecil J. Previdi Award to Todd Ingersoll of Newtown on December 11. The honor is awarded to a greater Danbury area business person who has demonstrated progressive business attitudes, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial spirit in the growth, development, or expansion of an area business. It was organized in memory of Cecil J. Previdi after his death in 1987 in a private airplane accident.

Mr Ingersoll is the president of Ingersoll Automotive, which encompasses three facilities — Ingersoll Auto of Danbury, Buick GMC of Watertown, and Ingersoll Auto of Pawling. Construction of a 20,000-square-foot addition was completed at the Danbury facility this year, allowing Ingersoll Auto of Danbury to offer the latest innovations in technology, retail design. and state-of-the-art guest conveniences with the sole purpose of elevating the guest experience to a higher level, according to the company. In addition, Mr Ingersoll increased his employee team more than 35 percent, bringing more jobs to Danbury.

Accepting the award, Mr Ingersoll spoke of a solid upbringing and the core values instilled by his parents, the reason he is where he is today.

“The things that make a dealership such a success, a modern showroom, a commitment to our guests and the community, are what make it enjoyable for guests to visit and equally enjoyable to come to work every day,” Mr Ingersoll said. “Your core values stay the same, no matter what brand you represent or what location you work in. If we are to succeed, we need a team of people with those same values to meet and exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Ingersoll Automotive is heavily involved in the communities where they work and live, sponsoring countless local sports teams, charities, and schools. Over the past few years, Ingersoll has donated almost 300 laptops to schools in the area for children who do not have technology at home. The company has also sponsored free movies at least once each month at Edmond Town Hall since January 2013.