Bruce Bendell started buying cars for re-sale 20 years ago while earning his B.A. in economics and accounting from Queens College. In 1985 he purchased Major Chevrolet, a marginal dealership with 10 million dollars in sales, employing 2 people. By 1992 under his leadership, Major had become the largest dealership in New York State. Today, sales are approaching 150 million dollars. Major now employs 190 people. Not resting on his laurels, Bruce opened Major Dodge in the fall of 1991. Using a campaign of advertising, employee incentives and promotions, Major Dodge became the largest Dodge dealership in New York City by January of 1992. In January of 1993, Major added Jeep/Eagle and Chrysler/Plymouth. In August 1995, Major added a Subaru dealership. Major's facilities now cover a 22-acre site and contain state-of-the-art service departments. Major Taxi, a division of fleet/leasing, is the largest supplier of taxi cabs in the world.

  Bruce Bendell believes the success he has attained is based on a number of factors. He hires the most qualified people, pays them fairly, and supports their decisions. Each department head is encouraged to add creative input to the overall operation. Bruce has created impressive sales incentives for customers. Special programs are specifically tailored for corporations. This allows individual employees to purchase or lease vehicles at fleet prices. Deliveries are arranged anywhere in the country.

  Giving back to the community is another important part of Bruce Bendell's philosophy. His efforts to support the community have not gone unnoticed. He was honored in 1992 as Queens Business Man of the Year. In 1994, Bruce was honored by Sunnyside Community Services for his work in the community. He is also Chairman of Long Island City's YMCA Capital Campaign Committee to build a new $5.5 million YMCA and Chairman of the Long Island City YMCA's Board of Managers.

  Bruce Bendel is a founding member (and past President) of the National Association of Fleet Resale Dealers. President of the New York City Chevrolet/Geo Dealers Advertising Association. and a board member of the Chrysler/Plymouth dealer advertising group of New York. New Jersey, and Connecticut. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Queens District Attorney's Business Advisory Council, the Chairman of the Bell Atlantic Queens County Customer Advisory Board, a Lions Club member, and serves on numerous automotive trade associations.

  In November 1997, Bruce received the Business Person of the Year Award from the Queens Chamber of Commerce for mid-sized businesses.

  He also received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. It is issued in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

  He is currently Chairman of the Board of Fidelity Holdings, Inc. a publicly traded company specializing in telecommunications, technology, and automobiles.

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