Frank Downing
President and Chief Operating Officer of Towne Automotive Group
Frank Downing is President and Chief Operating Officer of Towne Automotive Group, a 8-new car franchise dealership group in Buffalo, NY. Over the past 37 years, Mr. Downing has been instrumental in the long-term strategic growth and management of Towne Automotive Group. As a result of his leadership, the company has expanded from a single rooftop facility to a dealership group with 5 roof tops located in Orchard Park, Hamburg and North Collins NY. Frank has been honored on a local and national level for his commitment to excellence in automotive industry and the community.
Automotive highlights
Frank had a successful track record with Towne as he grew from Sales, to Sales Management, to General Manager to his current position of President and Chief Operating Officer
In addition to operating Towne Auto, Frank has severed as Chairman for the NFADA Dealer Association, Chairman for the Ford Dealers Advertising Association and Dealer Council Chairman for the Ford National Dealer Council.
Honors & Awards
- Time Magazine’s Dealer of the Year Award, National Finalist
- Executive of the Year award 2016, Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives
- Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Junior Achievement
- Buffalo Business First— Power 250 recognition for the most influential people in Buffalo, NY
- BMW’s Center of Excellent Award- BMW’s Top Honor.
- Ford’s and Lincoln’s President’s Award- Ford’s Top Honor- Towne Ford has earned this award over 10 times.
- Mazda Elite dealer- Mazda’s top honor
Frank was one of 25 people in the country to be nominated for the Gerald R Ford, the University of Michigan’s highest individual academic honor that is presented annually to a former student athlete who epitomizes excellence in scholarship, sport and society
Academic
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business 1986 with Honors; Academic All American, U of M Hockey Team Captain and Gerald R. Ford Award Nominee
- Canisius High School Graduate 1982
- Dealer Candidate Academy Graduate—1988
Community
- Trustee Trocaire College for 10 years
- YMCA of Greater Buffalo Board Member- chairman of YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
- Chairman of Host Organizing Committee for the 2011 World Junior Championship
- Co-Chair of Gambit for Canisius High School
- President, Nativity of our Lord School Board
- President, University of Michigan Club of Buffalo
- Member, Leadership Buffalo class of 1993 and current member
- Member of Business Firsts 40 under 40 class
- Honoree Chairman for the 2014 Special Olympic Games held in Buffalo, NY
- Committee Member, Ford Friendship Express Van Donation Program