A 2014 candidate for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Man of the Year” fundraising campaign, Alex Perdikis embodies charitable giving and volunteer work. Raising money and awareness for cancer is near and dear to his heart because Perdikis has watched his wife battle the devastating disease in the past.

Money from the Man of the Year fundraising campaign will go to the fight against all types of blood cancers, allowing for the advancement of treatments and therapies that can help save lives and increase the blood cancer survivor rate. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has 61 chapters across the United States and Canada and offers education, support and free blood cancer information to families, patients, survivors and healthcare professionals. The organization advocates for survivors and their families, helping them understand cancer treatments and making sure everyone has access to affordable, quality care.

Due to the overwhelming success of his grassroots fundraising blitz, Perdikis finished the Man of the Year contest as the first runner-up, having raised over $146,000 along with his team captains.

Perdikis has used his career success as general manager and partner of Koons of Silver Spring car dealership, plus his high-profile in the community, to garner awareness for a variety of charities over the years. His car dealership serves as an active partner in the Greater Washington D.C. area community outreach, and Perdikis is proud to give back to the community through his business. In 2013 during the government shutdown, Perdikis and his managers offered furloughed federal workers free tire rotations, oil chances, and inspections simply because, as he put it, “It was just the right thing to do.”

That philanthropic spirit has driven Perdikis to support many organizations, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Hope Rising and the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. In addition to his countless hours of volunteer work with local charities in Silver Spring, Maryland and surrounding areas, Perdikis has also found time to serve on the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association board of directors.

Alex Perdikis Koons of Silver Spring success even got him recognized as one of Automotive News’ “40 Under 40,” drawing even more attention to his charity work. This annual program recognizes new-car dealership high achievers who are still under 40 years old, and Automotive News evaluates nominations from both the United States and Canada.

Perdikis thanked his team at Koons of Silver Spring, and says he owes much of his success to those managers and employees who have made it what it is today. Due to this sense gratitude and acknowledgement of the team spirit, Koons of Silver Spring was chosen by the Washington Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work” in 2014. This was the fourth year in a row that the dealership has enjoyed this honor.

Described as someone who brings a positive attitude, discipline, high energy and the ultimate work ethic to business, Alex Perdikis has established a solid foundation in the automotive industry and used his skills to promote charities and raise funds for the less fortunate.

A driving force in the automotive world, Alex has worked hard to boost his reputation and regularly conducts interviews with major news channels in an effort to boost and manage his reputation. His self-promotion includes highlighting the charity work that he does and he has recently been asked to stand as a candidate for “Man of The Year” awards for his work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

It is fundraising campaigns such as this and the many other charities that Alex has drummed up support for that has kept his reputation so positive, and his automotive business in the public eye. He also has organization memberships with Down Syndrome Network and The First Tee and is an active supporter of many other charities such as Hope Rising, American Cancer Society, The Mike Davis Foundation and Cure Autism NOW, as well as many others he has been involved in philanthropic work and fundraising for.

A first generation Greek-American and the son of a Greek diplomat, Alex was born on February 7, 1975, and raised in Bethesda, Maryland. From a young age he enjoyed making money and was often involved in helping out with the family business.

After finishing high school, Alex attended the University of Richmond, where he majored in business and played football, a game that he has called his “first love.” During his summer holidays in Maryland, he started working in a car dealership, keeping the cars clean for the showroom floor. Immediately drawn to the automotive business, Alex realized that many of the skills he had learned at Richmond and on the football field could be applied in the industry.

Graduating from the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond in 1997, Perdikis made his first foray into the automotive industry and began working in every facet of the dealerships operations. He had previously served as a detailer, service assistant and lot porter and with his business studies background he was now able to move into accounting. He started working in Koons Lincoln/Mercury Volvo in the accounting department and became part of the Koons of Tysons Corners sales team. In just over three months, he became the organization’s top salesman of all 16 Koons franchises and was promoted to sales manager. In December of 2000, he completed his studies at the N.A.D.A Dealer Candidate Academy and was elected class president, and went on to take the position of General Manager at his Koons branch in 2001.

In his 16 years of service with Jim Koons Automotive Company, Alex Perdikis served as executive vice president, directed three different branches and became the highest seller of Chrysler and Chevrolet in the whole of the mid-Atlantic region. Alex Perdikis Koons service also saw him net the franchise a number of prestigious industry awards, and he served on the Washington area Chevrolet Local marketing Dealer Board for four years. In 2011, it was time for Alex to take the next step in his lengthy Koons career and he became a partner and assumed general manager (GM) responsibilities in the newly opened branch of Koons of Silver Spring.

Koons Silver Spring services and sells new Lincolns, Mazdas and Fords and also boasts a massive pre-owned selection of vehicles. Alex has grown the business to include a full-service dealership that also comprises of a parts and body-shop business. In the past four years, the Silver Spring branch has become the fastest growing dealership in the whole of the Washington area and has over 120 employees.

Alex Perdikis Koons dealership popularity has been boosted by his massive contributions to charitable organizations and he has used his philanthropic activities to his advantage, both to grow his reputation and to help raise funds for a number of charities. Family is also very important to Alex. He married his high school sweetheart and they have three daughters. In his free time, when he’s not spending time with his family, he still enjoys watching football, playing basketball and working out.