Circle BMW Founder and President Thomas J. DeFelice, Jr., is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2012 Finalist in New Jersey

EATONTOWN, N.J.  (May 16, 2012) – Circle BMW, the region’s premier BMW dealership, today announced that Founder and President, Thomas J. DeFelice, Jr., was named a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2012 program in the New Jersey region. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Awards will be presented at a special gala on June 27, 2012 at the Hyatt New Brunswick.

DeFelice is a third generation auto industry veteran who began his career working at Circle Chevrolet, the business his grandfather founded. He purchased the BMW franchise in 1981 and has spent the last 31 years building Circle BMW into one of the region’s premier luxury auto dealerships. His business acumen has enabled the dealership to grow from its roots in Shrewsbury to a state-of-the-art facility in Eatontown.

DeFelice is a founding member of the BMW Tri-State Co-Op Advertising Committee.  In 2009, Circle BMW was a NJBIZ Business of the Year Finalist and in 2008, received the prestigious Center of Excellence recognition from BMW North America.

Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna and the Red Bank Borough Council presented a certificate of appreciation to DeFelice at the Borough Council’s December 7, 2011 meeting. Mayor Menna recognized the 30^th anniversary of Circle BMW and DeFelice and his wife Valarie for their continued support of numerous local charitable and cultural institutions. The DeFelices are past recipients of Catholic Charities’ annual Guardian Angel Award for their work and support of Catholic Charities Programs in Monmouth County.

A life-long resident of Monmouth County, DeFelice firmly believes in “giving back” and through Circle BMW has supported several non-profit organizations such as the Count Basie Theatre, Holiday Express, Meridian Health Foundation, Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America, Monmouth University Scholarship Program, The Monmouth County Historical Association and Two River Theatre Company. He is a board member of the CBA Alumni Association, Catholic Charities and Prevention First.

Now in its 26th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur Of The Year Program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 17, 2012. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the United States by SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

In New Jersey,  sponsors include PNC, Merrill Corporation, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, DLA Piper, Scherzer International, Empire Valuation Consultants, WithumSmith +Brown, Murray Devine, Gibbons, P.C., New Jersey Technology Council, SolomonEdwards Group, New Jersey Business Journal

About Circle BMW

Circle BMW, owned and operated by Tom DeFelice since 1981, is dedicated to excellence in all phases of the BMW ownership experience: sales, service, parts, accessories, lifestyle products and long-term customer support. Serving customers in Central New Jersey, Circle BMW is one of the tri-state area’s leading luxury automotive dealerships. In addition to new vehicles, Circle BMW offers Certified Pre-Owned vehicles that meet demanding standards for resale. Our award-winning Service Department is among the top in the nation and is proud to employ the largest staff of BMW Master Technicians in New Jersey. Circle BMW is one of the largest BMW authorized stocking dealers of original equipment parts and accessories in the region. Learn more at circlebmw.com and connect with us on Facebook.com/CircleBMW, Twitter.com/circlebmwsales and youtube.com/circlebmw.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^®
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a US client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

# # #

Media Contact:

Pamela Marshall

Circle BMW

732-440-1224

pamela.marshall@circlebmw.com