Dorothy M. Ross had the rare quality of self-development and management skills which enabled her to lead and guide the growth of the Automotive Hall of Fame. She spearheaded the building of the first stand-alone Automotive Hall of Fame in 1971 on the campus of Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.

Ross graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase Senior High School. Employed in Washington, D.C., she worked for the U.S. Government, American Automobile Association and Automotive Old Timers, the forerunner of the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Ross served the Automotive Hall of Fame as chief administrator and operating officer from 1963 – 1981 and as president and CEO from 1981 – 1985. 

In October 1985, upon retirement as president and CEO of the Automotive Hall of Fame, she received the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from Northwood University and the State of Michigan’s Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 415 honored her for outstanding performance for the Hall of Fame and automotive industry.