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RLJ McLarty Landers Tops 2011 Auto Dealers List

BETHESDA, Md., June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and chairman of the board of the automotive group RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC ranked first on this year's "B.E. 100s, Auto Dealers," list published annually by Black Enterprise.

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This is the second year the automotive group has topped the B.E. list and its rank is based on 2010 revenue among 60 minority auto dealers in the country.

RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and is the largest African American owned automotive franchise in the country consisting of 26 automotive franchises and three Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships across the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the country. RLJ McLarty Landers is led by Thomas "Mack" McLarty, who serves as vice chairman, is the former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and whose family has been in the transportation business for four-generations; and Steve Landers, Sr. the automotive group's president who is an experienced auto dealer who hails from Arkansas.

"I am pleased with this year's ranking. RLJ McLarty Landers continues to grow and expand our dealership base," said Johnson. "We have a great management team in place and a solid reputation with proven ability to execute acquisitions and compete in the automotive industry," he concluded.

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate investment; private equity; financial services; asset management; insurance services; automobile dealerships; sports and entertainment; and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For additional information please visit: www.rljcompanies.com.

About RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and consists of 26 automotive franchises and three Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships across the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the country. RLJ McLarty Landers was ranked 31st on the Automotive News annual list of "Top 125 Dealerships in the U.S." and ranked number one on the Black Enterprise 100s list and is the largest African American owned automotive franchise in the country.

For media inquiries contact: Traci Otey Blunt, 240.744.7858 or press@rljcompanies.com

SOURCE The RLJ Companies