2025 AAT Award Recipients
Nicola Bulgari Award
2025 Award Recipient: Keith Flickinger
Keith Flickinger is the Curator and Chief Operating Officer of The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage. Hefounded Precision Motor Cars, Inc. in 1988, a full-service restoration shop inAllentown, earning a reputation for highest-quality collector car restorations. His work on Mr.Bulgari’s 1942 Buick over30 years ago led to his long-standing involvement with the prestigious Bulgari collection, with many restored vehicles earning accolades at majorconcours events. As the collection and restoration demands grew, so did the need for a dedicated space—resulting in the creation of The NB Center.
Beyond his restoration work, Keith plays a leadership role in several automotive institutions. He serves on the Board of Directors for America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, WA, chairing its Collections Committee. In Allentown, he is Chairman and President of America On Wheels Museum and was instrumental in launching its Restoration Learning Center, which educates visitors on the restoration process. A passionate advocate for youth education, Keith mentors students through the RPM Foundation—Restoration, Preservation, Mentorship—by opening Precision Motor Cars as a hands-on training facility for internships and apprenticeships, helping inspire the next generation of automotive restoration professionals.
edward t. welburn automotive designer award
2025 Recipient: Ralph Gilles
Ralph Gilles was appointed Chief Design Officer of Stellantis in January 2021, where he leads the design direction and strategy for several of the company’s most iconic global brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Maserati, and FIAT in Latin America. A key member of Stellantis’ Top Executive Team, Gilles plays a vital role in shaping the future of mobility and automotive aesthetics through bold, innovative, and emotionally resonant design.
Gilles began his career with the company in 1992 as a designer and quickly rose through the ranks, thanks to his talent, leadership, and forward-thinking approach. Over the years, he has held numerous executive positions across the organization, contributing significantly to the development of award-winning vehicles that have redefined performance and design in the industry. He holds a degree in industrial design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and an MBA from Michigan State University.
Beyond the studio, Gilles is a passionate car enthusiast who actively participates in motorsports and track events. His deep personal connection to driving and automotive culture continually fuels his creative vision and commitment to pushing design boundaries. His influence is widely recognized across the automotive world as both impactful and enduring.
2025 Recipient: Wayne Cherry
Wayne Cherry is a renowned automotive designer whose 42-year career at General Motors left an indelible mark on the global auto industry. A 1962 graduate of Art Center College of Design, Cherry began his career as a junior designer under Bill Mitchell, contributing to iconic vehicles like the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. In 1965, he relocated to GM’s Vauxhall division in the UK, later moving to Opel in Germany, where he led European design and helped develop groundbreaking, aerodynamically advanced vehicles like the Opel Calibra and Corsa B.
In 1992, Cherry was named GM’s Vice President of Design—the fourth person to hold the role since Harley Earl. He spearheaded a design renaissance by integrating digital technology, establishing global advanced design studios, and championing a bold new design language, particularly for Cadillac’s “Art & Science” era. Under his leadership, GM created memorable concept and production vehicles including the Cadillac Evoq, Chevrolet SSR, and Pontiac Solstice.
Cherry received the 2013 EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award and continued designing post-retirement, including the VSR Sports Rod. Known for his emphasis on proportion, brand identity, and innovation, Cherry’s legacy is defined by creativity, global influence, and a deep passion for automotive design.
jay C. ackley Master Craftsman award
2025 Recipient: Travis Lavine
Travis LaVine is the second-generation co-owner and general manager of LaVine Restorations, Inc. in Nappanee, Indiana. Travis is in his 11th year working at LaVine Restorations, founded over 50 years ago by his parents, Eric and Vivian LaVine. The rising automotive expert has played a significant role in helping to maintain—and significantly further—his company's reputation as a trailblazer in the world of automotive restoration.
Prior to returning to LaVine Restorations, Travis attended Michigan State University College of Law, graduating summa cum laude, before working in international tax planning at Ernst & Young in Chicago. From this prior education and experience, to classic car restoration and research, hanging his hat on the strong foundation built by his parents and the many restorers who paved the way in this industry, Travis strives for historical accuracy, technical execution, and logic-based education and mentoring.
Relying on his time-proven methodology of "combining new technologies with old methodologies," Travis—a Packard panelist at the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance—has left his mark in a short time. Since Travis joined the family business, LaVine Restorations has increased from eight employees to a staff of nearly 30, with seven apprentices. From the UK to Italy, India, and South Africa, the company has advanced to the forefront of the international automotive stage. Always focused on the past while looking to the future, Travis strives to honor those who've come before him by pushing the restoration industry forward in any way he can.
hagerty Master Collector award
2025 Recipient: Wayne Carini
Wayne Carini is a celebrated figure in the world of classic car restoration and collecting, with a career spanning more than fifty years. He gained widespread recognition as the host of Chasing Classic Cars, a popular television series that takes viewers inside the fascinating world of vintage car hunting, restoration, and sales.
Wayne’s passion for automobiles was ignited in childhood, learning the trade from his father, Bob Carini, a master panel beater and restoration expert. Over the decades, Wayne refined his skills working on an impressive range of European and American classics. He has become especially renowned as one of the leading Ferrari experts in the United States, prized for his deep knowledge, integrity, and meticulous attention to detail.
Owner of F40 Motorsports in Portland, Connecticut, Wayne continues to buy, sell, and restore some of the rarest and most sought-after classic cars. His expertise has earned him the trust of collectors worldwide.
In addition to his automotive pursuits, Wayne is dedicated to philanthropy, particularly supporting autism awareness, a cause close to his heart as the father of a daughter with autism. Through his work both on and off screen, Wayne Carini remains a beloved and influential figure in the classic car community.
American Racing Legends Award
2025 Recipient: Bob Bondurant
Born April 27, 1933, in Evanston, Illinois, as a 3 1/2-pound premature newborn. The family moved 2-year-old Bob to California, soon a teenager racing Indian motorcycles before launching his untouchable motorsports career. Bondurant rose fast to fame in 1959 as the National Corvette Champion, won Le Mans GT in 1964, and the World Manufacturers Sports Car Championship for Shelby American in 1965, becoming a Formula One driver for Ferrari and iconic names like BRM, Lotus, and Eagles in 1966.
His fearless talent and precision earned Bob respect worldwide and induction into 10 Hall of Fames. In 1967, after a Can-Am McLaren Lola T70 150 MPH crash, he was pronounced deceased, but Bob recalled his conversation with God to open a driving school to save lives. In 1968, The Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving was revered as the global expert authority on driver training and safety. Bob trained well over 500,000 racers, actors, military personnel, teens, and auto enthusiasts.
“My life has been lived in two halves; the first half was becoming a World Champion and the second half training the world to become Champions.” - Bob Bondurant
2025 Recipient: George Follmer
George Follmer (born January 27, 1934, in Phoenix, Arizona) is one of America’s most versatile and accomplished road racers. Over a career spanning four decades, Follmer competed in nearly every major racing series, including Trans-Am, Can-Am, Formula One, NASCAR, IMSA, IndyCar, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He began racing in the late 1950s and quickly rose through the ranks, earning early accolades such as the SCCA U.S. Road Racing Championship and ‘Rookie of the Year.’
In 1972, Follmer made history by winning both the Trans-Am and Can-Am championships in the same year—a feat unmatched to this day. He earned victories driving for legendary teams like Penske and Rinzler and famously stepped in for Mark Donohue to win the Can-Am title in the mighty Porsche 917/10. Follmer also made a brief but successful entry into Formula One with a podium finish in the 1973 Spanish Grand Prix.
Throughout his career, Follmer was known for his adaptability, courage, and competitive spirit. Even after retiring from professional racing, he remained active in vintage motorsports and operated a successful auto dealership. In 1999, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
What are the America's Automotive Trust Awards?
America is the nation of the car. At America’s Automotive Trust, we bestow several prestigious awards to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the automotive industry, car culture, and preservation. These awards are presented each year during the annual Concours Club Gathering and Wheels & Heels Gala weekend hosted at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. Each recipient is forever recognized in our awards hall of fame archive for future generations to honor and appreciate.