Negocios Magazine has announced that Mario Murgado, President & CEO of Murgado Automotive Group, will be among the business leaders honored at the 2026 Top Entrepreneur of USA Awards. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, at the EB Hotel Miami. Murgado will receive the special 'Automotive Entrepreneurship & Business Leadership Award,' which recognizes his entrepreneurial career, leadership in the automotive industry, and the growth that has made Murgado Automotive Group a multi-state organization.
Headquartered in Miami, Murgado Automotive Group now operates 29 locations across five states, with a presence in Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, and California. The group's journey began in Miami, where under Murgado's leadership, Buick, GMC, and Honda operations near Downtown Miami improved significantly after years of declining results under previous ownership. These dealerships have since become standout operations for General Motors and Honda.
Today, the group represents a diverse portfolio of automotive brands, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Cadillac, Audi, Volkswagen, Acura, Infiniti, Mazda, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, as well as luxury and high-performance brands such as Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. This extensive brand representation underscores the group's broad market reach and its ability to cater to a wide range of consumers.
Eduardo Hapke, Publisher of Negocios Magazine, expressed the publication's honor in recognizing Murgado, stating, 'For Negocios Magazine, it is a true honor to recognize Mario Murgado, an entrepreneur with deep ties to Miami who has successfully transformed a local automotive operation into a group with a presence across different regions of the United States.'
The Top Entrepreneur of USA Awards 2026 will bring together approximately 120 entrepreneurs, CEOs, executives, investors, and professionals for an awards ceremony and dinner organized by Negocios Magazine. The event will take place in the Ballroom of the EB Hotel Miami. This gathering provides a platform for networking and celebrating business achievements, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth.
Negocios Magazine, founded in 2013 by journalist Eduardo Hapke and attorney Karen Blanco, aims to develop a communications platform focused on entrepreneurs, executives, business owners, and business leaders in South Florida and the U.S. Hispanic market. The magazine is published in print and digital formats and operates NegociosMagazine.com, a platform featuring news, interviews, business profiles, and content related to business, finance, technology, investments, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
The publication further expands its reach through international digital platforms such as PressReader, as well as through its social media presence and business events. Negocios Magazine is part of Acta Diurna Urbis Group Corp., a Miami-based media group that develops publications targeting different market segments, including Ejecutiva Magazine, Welcome to America, Salud & Buen Vivir Florida, Hispanic Time, and Electric Cars Plus.
The recognition of Mario Murgado underscores the impact of strong leadership in the automotive industry. His ability to revitalize underperforming dealerships and expand operations across multiple states serves as a model for business growth. The award also highlights the broader significance of immigrant entrepreneurship and the role of Hispanic business leaders in the U.S. economy. As the event approaches, it draws attention to the value of recognizing and celebrating business excellence.
