Ryan LaFontaine’s path after graduation was always clear – he wanted to work for his family’s auto dealership group, which was established by his father, Michael Sr., and mother, Maureen, in 1984. By 2008, LaFontaine was named chief operating officer of the LaFontaine Automotive Group, which has since grown to encompass 39 franchises, 20 retail locations, a global vehicles division, a parts warehouse and five full-service collision centers, employing more than 1,300 individuals across Michigan. And he is a recognized industry leader, having served as president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and recently named chairman of the 2018 North American International Auto Show, the youngest chairman in the show’s 111-year history. LaFontaine is also proud to guide the next generation of automotive industry leaders through the LaFontaine Automotive Internship Program, a 12-week immersive experience at his dealerships. And while LaFontaine’s career has been meteoric, he suffered a setback in 2008 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. LaFontaine took that very difficult experience and turned it into something positive. He had heard about a 10-week nationwide fundraising challenge to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Even though he was fighting cancer and just had twin boys, LaFontaine and his sister, Kelley, decided to enter. “With family and friends at our side, we raised $228,000 for LLS, which was an all-time record,” he said. For his efforts, he was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year in 2010. This successful fundraising effort propelled LaFontaine and his sister to go even further and create the U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation. The organization, which is run solely by volunteers so 100 percent of profits are donated to the cause, provides vital funding and support for local cancer research grants. Connect with Ryan LaFontaine: Twitter: @LaFontaineAuto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.lafontaine.5 Website: https://www.familydeal.com/ Website: https://ucancervive.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lafontaine-automotive-group