2024 Year in Review

January 22, 2025

As the year comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible accomplishments we’ve achieved together in 2024 and look ahead to what’s possible in 2025. Thanks to supporters like you, our mission to honor the past, celebrate the present, and drive the future of America’s automotive heritage is more vibrant than ever.


At LeMay – America’s Car Museum, we set new milestones this year. Our Shinka: An Immersive Japanese Automobile Exhibit saw the most attended opening in our history. Community engagement soared with festive events like Trunk or Treat and Día de los Muertos. We also expanded our educational programs and talk series, inspiring visitors of all ages, and topped 2,000 Museum members. Our Austin Healey sweepstakes has further energized our community, both locally and far beyond the Pacific Northwest, with donations coming in from 43 states and five countries, driving support for the Museum’s vital programs and automotive culture as a whole.


The RPM Foundation is also celebrating transformative achievements. This year, 12 apprentices were placed to gain hands-on experience at world-class restoration shops. The Great Race X-Cup reached full capacity and we awarded a record 15 scholarships during the annual event. We're also excited to announce that a car is already secured for the 2025 Race! We proudly presented the prestigious Restorer’s Award at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals and Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance, allowing us to shine a light on excellence in restoration.


All the while, America’s Automotive Trust continued to strengthen its foundation as we pursued these accomplishments. Wheels & Heels, our annual gala, raised more than $1 million, and we secured a grant to enable an RPM apprentice to join LeMay – America’s Car Museum’s talented team of classic car maintenance and restoration professionals.


These successes reflect the incredible support of donors and enthusiasts like you—but there’s still much more to accomplish. Through the Drive Forward Campaign, we are committed to raising $15 million by the end of 2026 to expand STEM education programs, grow career training opportunities in restoration, and ensure that future generations can engage with and appreciate America’s automotive heritage. To date, we’re a quarter of the way to meeting our goal, and we look forward to working with incredible supporters like you to close the gap.


As a nonprofit organization, we depend on your generosity to keep these programs running and to drive our mission forward. This holiday season, please consider making a year-end gift to the Drive Forward Campaign and support the work of America’s Automotive Trust and its entities. Together, we can honor our past, celebrate our present, and drive an inspiring future.


Help us continue driving our mission by making a tax-deductible donation today!


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100 Years of Route 66: AAT Partners with Detroit Auto Show for Official Centennial Drive Home

By AAT • December 9, 2025
America’s Automotive Trust (AAT), in partnership with the Detroit Auto Show and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, is proud to help lead the Route 66 Centennial Exhibition, recently designated an Official Route 66 Centennial Project by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. The Drive Home: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure is the seventh installment of AAT’s annual cross-country winter drive spotlighting America’s automotive heritage. Beginning January 3, 2026 in Santa Monica and traveling the historic highway to Chicago before continuing on to Detroit with a shedule arrival of January 14, the convoy will showcase nine classic and modern vehicles curated for a trip on the Mother Road. These vehicles, each representing a distinct era of design, innovation, and open-road exploration, will be featured inside the Detroit Auto Show: Route 66 Centennial Exhibition at Huntington Place, running January 14–25. Visitors will experience an immersive look at Route 66 through film, photography, and stories gathered along the journey, highlighting small-town landmarks, vintage diners, motels, gas stations, and other icons that have shaped the road’s legacy. This collaborative effort reflects the shared mission of AAT, the Detroit Auto Show, and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership to honor the past while inspiring future generations of drivers and enthusiasts. Together, the organizations are bringing the spirit of Route 66 to life in the Motor City during this landmark centennial year. The exhibition will also be featured on route66centennial.org as an officially recognized Centennial Project. Fans can follow The Drive Home VII in real time with updates from Jim O’Brien of 94.7 WCSX and through Detroit Auto Show and AAT social media coverage. America’s Automotive Trust is excited to be part of this significant celebration of automotive culture, community, and adventure—100 years in the making.

AMERICA’S AUTOMOTIVE TRUST WELCOMES BRUCE PATTON AS VICE PRESIDENT OF CURATION AND EDUCATION

By AAT • November 20, 2025
Former Curator of Savoy Automobile Museum appointed as VP of Curation and Education at LeMay – America’s Car Museum Tacoma, WA – November 19, 2025 – America’s Automotive Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Bruce Patton as Vice President of Curation and Education for LeMay – America’s Car Museum. Patton joins the organization with an impressive multi-decade career in the automotive industry particularly at Bosch. He also has strong knowledge of automotive history and the collector community most recently serving as Curator of Savoy Automobile Museum in Georgia. At Savoy, he led curation of world-class displays celebrating the art and innovation of the automobile, fostering public connection with the stories behind the vehicles and their creators. In his new role at America’s Automotive Trust, Patton will oversee the Museum’s exhibition strategy, collection stewardship, and educational programming, helping to advance ACM’s mission to preserve automotive heritage and celebrate car culture. Curation of the Collection will also include shaping it for effectiveness in promoting the Trust’s national activities. “We are absolutely delighted to have Bruce join us as our first Vice President for Curation and Education of the Trust,” said David Madeira, CEO of America’s Automotive Trust. “Bruce’s experience, knowledge of the automobile, connections in the industry and collector community will bring us Curatorial leadership at a level we have never enjoyed. Bruce’s passion for education prompted us to bring that important department under his stewardship as well. As the Trust undertakes development of a Robotics and Innovation Center at America’s Car Museum, Bruce will provide us with the leadership necessary for success.” “I look forward to working with the Curatorial and Education teams in place at America’s Automotive Trust to help expand and build on the incredible work that has already been accomplished,” said Bruce Patton. “With the assistance of our Board Members and newly appointed CEO Joe Jacuzzi, the future looks very bright for increasing the Museum’s reach for expanding the curiosity of our youth through the Robotics and Innovation Center. We will also investigate making slight modifications to our vehicle curation and programming cycles to help promote additional attendance, membership, and support of the Museum.” Bruce will be reporting to recently announced new CEO of America’s Automotive Trust Joe Jacuzzi. Under Bruce’s leadership, the Museum will continue to expand its programming and showcase new perspectives on automotive artistry, design, and cultural impact — reflecting the institution’s national role as a hub for enthusiasts, educators, and families alike. ### About America’s Automotive Trust America’s Automotive Trust works to preserve America’s automotive heritage and inspire the next generation of enthusiasts and innovators by bringing together like-minded organizations that honor the past, celebrate the present, and drive the future of car culture to make a greater impact. Founding member organizations LeMay – America’s Car Museum, RPM Foundation, and premier membership programs Club Auto and Concours Club, as well as our affiliated partners, work together to foster a strong community where any enthusiast can thrive – from the classroom, to careers, to the open road. America’s Automotive Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit americasautomotivetrust.org. For the latest news, stories, photos and videos, visit americasautomotivetrust.org/aat-news

AMERICA’S AUTOMOTIVE TRUST ANNOUNCES NEW KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES

By AAT • November 13, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AMERICA’S AUTOMOTIVE TRUST ANNOUNCES NEW KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES · Automotive veteran Joe Jacuzzi named Chief Executive Officer · Founding CEO, David Madeira takes new role at AAT’s Board as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Tacoma, WA – November 13, 2025 – America’s Automotive Trust (AAT) today announced a major new chapter in its history – one that both honors the past and looks boldly toward the future. After 23 years of devoted leadership as Founding CEO, David Madeira will transition to a new role on AAT’s Board of Directors as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives. Succeeding Madeira as new CEO of America’s Automotive Trust effective at the start of the new year is Joe Jacuzzi, a former Vice President of General Motors. As Madeira transitions to this new strategic role, the Trust begins an exciting new era guided by the expertise and passion of Joe Jacuzzi, a respected industry leader whose career has spanned nearly four decades working for various companies around the globe including Audi, Shelby Automobiles, PepsiCo and General Motors to name a few. Known for his visionary approach to leadership, storytelling, and brand development, Jacuzzi brings a deep understanding and passion for both the heritage and future of the automobile. “I cannot adequately express my excitement that Joe Jacuzzi will assume leadership of America’s Automotive Trust this January,” Madeira said. “Joe’s vast experience in the automotive and other industries, and expertise in marketing and communications will enable the Trust to fulfill its vision of ‘honoring the past, celebrating the present, and driving the future’ of our automotive culture under his strong leadership. I am honored that Joe believes in the mission of the Trust and as I prepare for my new exciting role focused on strategic initiatives for AAT, I will do all that I can to assist him as he leads the Trust to greater prominence.” “I am honored to join the AAT team,” Jacuzzi said. “AAT’s mission of promoting trade skills, education, and the celebration of automotive culture are incredibly important to the country. And with the stunning LeMay – America’s Car Museum as the crown jewel, I’m very excited to work with the AAT Board, the team, donors and volunteers on continuing to advance their key initiatives and fueling the next generation of automotive enthusiasts.” Under Madeira’s stewardship, America’s Automotive Trust evolved from a visionary idea into a national institution. What started over two decades ago as a concept for the Harold E. LeMay Museum, David Madeira led the campaign to build what would become LeMay – America’s Car Museum. In order to expand the influence of America’s Car Museum and help pioneer the future of car culture, David founded America’s Automotive Trust in 2016 as a national organization that brings together like-minded organizations that honor the past, celebrate the present, and drive the future of the automotive community. “Replacing a founding CEO of David’s caliber is a very difficult task. His leadership and vision has been exceptional,” said Michael Towers, Chairman of America’s Automotive Trust. “Joe brings those same qualities to his new role. Having them working together on the same team is a Chairman’s dream come true. With Joe and David working together, an exciting new chapter is opening for AAT.” Joe Jacuzzi transitioning into the CEO role marks an inspiring new moment for AAT and its entities as the organization looks toward the future with major initiatives on the horizon — including leading a once-in-a-lifetime cross country drive across Route 66 at the beginning of the year, as well as the development of a new state of the art robotics center, expanded educational programming for the future generation, and a dynamic lineup of exhibitions and events coming in 2026 and beyond. ### About America’s Automotive Trust America’s Automotive Trust works to preserve America’s automotive heritage and inspire the next generation of enthusiasts and innovators by bringing together like-minded organizations that honor the past, celebrate the present, and drive the future of car culture to make a greater impact. Founding member organizations LeMay – America’s Car Museum, RPM Foundation, and premier membership programs Club Auto and Concours Club, as well as our affiliated partners, work together to foster a strong community where any enthusiast can thrive – from the classroom, to careers, to the open road. America’s Automotive Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit americasautomotivetrust.org. CONTACT: Jake Welk – Marketing Manager 253.225.5623 | jake.welk@aat.org
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