LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bill Lia, Jr. upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Kapner Spirit of the Chamber Award by
the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce on March 5, 2015

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bill Lia, Jr.
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Kapner Spirit
of the Chamber Award by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, to be
celebrated at its 115th Annual Dinner on Thursday, March 5, 2015, at the
Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious award is being presented by the Albany-Colo-
nie Chamber of Commerce to Bill Lia, Jr. for his dedicated support of
and service to the mission of the Chamber; and
WHEREAS, Originally from Brooklyn, New York, 46 year old Bill Lia, Jr.
moved upstate with his family in 1979, when his father chose to pursue
an opportunity in the auto business; and
WHEREAS, The company, which began as a small Honda dealership in
Delmar, New York, has grown to a group of 18 dealerships, now known
collectively as the Lia Auto Group, representing 12 different nameplates
with sales of more than 25,000 vehicles per year; and
WHEREAS, In addition to dealerships in Albany, New York, the group has
locations in Buffalo and Brewster, New York, Enfield and Hartford,
Connecticut, and Wilbraham and Northampton, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Currently serving as co-President of the Auto Group, Bill
Lia, Jr. has been involved in every aspect of the business for the past
24 years, including management, sales and marketing, acquisitions,
accounting, finance, fixed operations, advertising, construction, and
public relations; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after graduating from Siena College in 1990, with a
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Bill Lia, Jr. was the driving force behind
the Lia Group's decision to purchase the first Gold's Gym franchise in
upstate New York, and oversaw the opening of its first location in
Guilderland; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 22 years, under the able leadership of Bill
Lia, Jr., the fitness business expanded to include three other Capital
District Gold's Gym locations in Latham, Clifton Park and Niskayuna, and
currently serves more than 20,000 members; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, after a year and a half of developing a new
business plan, Bill Lia, Jr. made the decision to leave the Gold's Gym
franchise system and create his own brand, VENT Fitness; and
WHEREAS, Bill Lia, Jr. has represented the Lia Auto Group in several
automotive manufacturer organizations and related boards; he is a member
of the Board of Directors of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, and
is the current Chair of the Business Services Corporation; and
WHEREAS, With a steadfast dedication to the community, Bill Lia, Jr.
has given of his time and energies to countless organizations, some of
which include Northeast Parent and Child, American Diabetes Association,
American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis,
and Wildwood Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Miranda, and their
four children, Mariana, Alexa, Billy and Anthony, all of whom feel priv-
ileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, In the faithful performance of his duties and volunteer
efforts, Bill Lia, Jr.'s ongoing endeavors and notable achievements have
significantly contributed to bettering the quality of life in his commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bill Lia, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Kapner Spirit of the Chamber Award by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of
Commerce on March 5, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill Lia, Jr.