Dale C. Critz Jr.

President & CEO, Critz Auto Group

A passionate preservationist, lifelong automotive enthusiast, and proud Savannah native, Dale C. Critz, Jr. brings a rich legacy of leadership, community engagement, and historic appreciation to the 2025 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival.

As President and CEO of Critz Auto Group, Dale represents the third generation of a family-owned dealership founded in 1938. The group operates premier automotive brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Buick, GMC, and Sprinter Vans in Savannah, Georgia, and Cadillac, Buick, and GMC in Florence, South Carolina. His connection to the automobile runs deeper than business—it’s a lifelong passion rooted in storytelling, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of legacy.

That same reverence for heritage can be seen beyond the showroom. Dale has restored an 1854 home in downtown Savannah and developed a passion for collecting historic automobiles—particularly those tied to the legendary Great Savannah Races of the early 20th century. In 2015, he acquired a 1911 EMF that raced in the 1911 Tiedeman Cup, believing it to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return a car to its racing roots in Savannah. Since then, he has expanded his collection to include a 1908 Chalmers-Detroit, which competed in the 1908 Savannah Cup Challenge. His growing collection is a tribute to early race cars and sports cars that defined their era.

Dale’s deep civic involvement mirrors his commitment to preserving culture and enriching his community. He has served on numerous boards and chaired several organizations, including The Telfair Academy, The United Way of the Coastal Empire, Savannah Community Foundation, and Savannah Historic Board of Review. In 2009, he founded the Critz Tybee Run Fest, a charitable race event that has since raised over $600,000 for local nonprofits supporting education and healthy living.

A graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A., English, cum laude) and the University of Texas (M.B.A.), Dale is also an alum of Leadership Savannah (Class of 1992). He and his wife, Debbie, have four children, and the next generation of the Critz family is already at the helm—two sons and a son-in-law now play active roles in continuing the family business.

We are honored to celebrate Dale C. Critz, Jr. as our 2025 Honored Collector—a gentleman whose dedication to heritage, history, and horsepower exemplifies the spirit of the Concours.