Action News has learned Dan Towbin has died. He is best known as the owner of the Towbin car dealerships. Towbin died of a heart attack Thursday night.

He was 54. Towbin also contributed to several local non - profit organizations including the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Towbin Dealership released the following statement:
Daniel Towbin, a leader in the automotive industry who owned and operated car dealerships in Las Vegas since 1989, died on Thursday.  He was 54 years old. 

Towbin was Chairman of Towbin Automotive Enterprises, which currently owns Towbin Infiniti, Prestige Infiniti, Towbin Dodge, Towbin Motorcars (Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Vespa, Piaggio) and the smart center Las Vegas. 

Born in Lakewood, New Jersey, Towbin dedicated his life to the auto sales business and his career in the industry spanned more than 35 years.  Towbin's wife, Carolynn, son, Josh "Chop" Towbin, co-owner of Towbin Dodge and daughter Jesika, Director of Operations, Towbin Automotive Group are all active in the business operations.  Carolynn Towbin is co-owner of Towbin Automotive Enterprises and will assume the role of chairman.

"We are heartbroken over the loss of our loving husband and father. He loved his family, his friends, his employees and this community. Nothing made him happier than when he could help other people, he had the biggest heart of anyone we know. As a family we will work hard to carry on in the manner we know will make him proud," said Carolynn Towbin, Josh Towbin and Jesika Towbin-Mansour in a joint statement.

An accomplished businessman and community leader, Towbin was recognized by GM as Dealer of the Year and received the Jack Smith Leadership Award. He was nominated in 2007 by Time Magazine for its Dealer of the Year award. Towbin was Past Chairman of the National Advisory Board, Infiniti Division of Nissan Motor Corp., and a Board Member for 11 years; Past President of the Las Vegas New Car Dealers Association; Past Chairman of the Industry Relations Committee, National Auto Dealers Association; Member of the National Hummer Dealer Advisory Board; Member of the Valley Auto Mall Owners Association; Member of the National Auto Dealers Association and Board of Directors, Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association. Towbin Dodge was the first dealership to have a reality show "King of Cars" on the A&E network.

He was the first dealer in Nevada to receive Five-Star and Five-Star Elite status from Chrysler Corporation, was a past member of the F.B.I. Citizens Academy, a member of the Council for a Better Nevada, an Honorary Commander of the Nellis Air Force Base Support Team, member of the Andre Agassi Campaign Cabinet and Past President of the TKO for Kids Foundation.

Towbin was the 2006 recipient of the James Cashman III Community Leadership Award.  The Towbin family supports many local non-profit organizations, including The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, the Three Square Food Bank, Easter Seals of Southern Nevada,  Keep Memory Alive supporting the mission of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and has made a multi-year commitment to the Nevada Cancer Institute.

In addition, all of the Towbin dealerships routinely sponsor events to benefit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas, The Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude's Ranch for Children; The American Heart Association; The Safe Kids Coalition; and the Klass Foundation.

He is survived by his wife Carolynn of 34 years, two children Josh "Chop" Towbin and Jesika Towbin-Mansour, son-in-law Rony Mansour, daughter-in-law Venus, grandchildren Abraham, Rocco and Enzo and his two beloved dogs Gracie and Dino. He is also survived by his brother Joel Towbin of Aspen, Colorado and his sister Linda Baker of Princeton, New Jersey, both are automotive dealers. He is also survived by his father-in-law Dr. Nicholas Berardi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Three Square Food Bank or Keep Memory Alive supporting the mission of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.  Memorial services are pending.