Maurice “Mike” J. Murphy
Hall Of Fame Inductee
MADAF is proud to induct former WANADA CEO, Maurice “Mike” J. Murphy into our Legends Hall. Mike Murphy was born in Collingwood, New Jersey. Mike’s first ten years were spent in Atlanta, Georgia before the family relocated to Washington DC. He attended and graduated from the University of Maryland with his BA in Business Administration in 1932.
Mike married in 1938 and he and his wife, Marguerite welcomed their first child, Rosemary, in 1947 and in 1950 their son Gerry. Mike’s respect for his father Richard Murphy, former DC car dealer and chief of staff at the Washington Automobile Trade Association and his love of cars drew him to the cars business. His automotive career began when he joined a Bethesda Oldsmobile Dealer as General Sales Manager where he remained until 1949. In 1950 Mike joined his father as the Assistant CEO at the Washington Trade Association and took over as CEO in 1955 until his retirement in 1982. During this time he transitioned Washington Auto Trade Association to what many of us remember as ATANCA the Auto Trade Association of the National Capital Area which later became WANADA or the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association.
He was a prime example of passion at work. He lived and breathed the automobile business. Decisions made were always vetted through the filter of “Is this best for the dealer body”. The dealer body recognized this and Mike was handsomely rewarded with long lasting friendships and relationships with the dealers and colleague professionals he served. His success as CEO of the ATANCA/WANADA Association was legendary, hence his establishment as a member of our Legends Hall. We hope that you will join us to celebrate the legacy of a man who loved his family, friends, industry and his career.
