Industry Loses a Pioneer
By Ward’s Staff

Michael Waldrop, eCommerce Director for Asbury Automotive Group’s Florida region, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2008. He was 39 years old.

Waldrop, who started his automotive career as a floor salesman in 1996, was a true pioneer in the automotive Internet sales arena. In October 1999 he moved into the Internet Sales Department for Coggin Honda of Jacksonville – becoming the eCommerce

Director for Asbury’s Florida region in January 2001.

Waldrop was one of the industry’s top Internet directors and one if its most passionate evangelists, with his quotes appearing in various trade magazines.

A graduate of the University of West Georgia, he is survived by his wife Tanya, and two young daughters, Rachel (9) and Lauren (7).

Waldrop’s friends and coworkers have established the Michael Waldrop Memorial Fund through Wachovia bank. This is a non-profit, deposit-only account that will benefit Mike’s widow and two young daughters.

If you choose to make a donation, please send a check only (no cash donations, please) payable to the Michael Waldrop Memorial Fund to the address below:

Michael Waldrop Memorial fund

c/o Coggin Toyota

10564 Philips Highway

Jacksonville, FL 32256.