Ally Supplement - December 16, 2019 - A5

"it was illuminating and inspiring to learn how
much of a critical piece these dealers play in giving
back to their local communities"
- Diana Crossley

stage at the NADA Show with the other nominees," Anderson
says. "To be selected as a regional finalist or national winner
out of that elite group is the highest award in the industry.
"It's the Oscar or Nobel Prize of auto retailing, and dealers
know that."
In Iowa, like many states, the TIME Dealer of the Year
nominee is the state's own dealer of the year.
"It recognizes that to be our state nominee, you've been
vetted and chosen by your peers in the industry-more than
300 new-car franchised dealers," Anderson says. "It's a pretty
elite group, and we take it very seriously."
The 49 nominees for the 2020 award are, as usual, an
exemplary group. Says NADA's Welch: "As always, all of this
year's nominees are outstanding businesspeople who are
also leading contributors in their communities.
"I'm especially gratified to see six women nominated for
the 2020 award. To be successful, any local dealership-both
as marketplace and employer-must reflect the surrounding
community. The growing number and impact of women and
minority dealers is visible proof of that necessity."
The nominees are recognized, of course,
not only for their business acumen but also
for their philanthropic spirit. Mark Manzo,
president of insurance at Ally Financial,
says the 2020 nominees "have displayed
incredible leadership and commitment
to their communities, giving in ways that
manzo
make a significant difference to those in
need. They are the lifeblood of many local organizations
that provide student scholarships, build hospitals, provide
underprivileged kids with activities and education, make
Christmas gifts possible for the disadvantaged and fund
uniforms and other equipment for sports teams."
Many of these dealers are everyday heroes in their
communities not only for their donations to charitable
organizations but also for their hands-on commitment as
volunteers. Welch says there are nearly as many ways that
dealers give back to their communities as there are dealers.
"As employers, they hold themselves responsible for the
well-being of over a million families," he says. "They are
major contributors to their state and local governments
through the myriad taxes they pay.

"Just as important are the causes each chooses to support,
which are varied and very, very personal, from health care to
homelessness to children's initiatives and the arts ... the list
is endless.
"In addition to monetary support, they give their time and
talent and, in many cases, encourage their employees to do
the same."
The competition is judged by staff and faculty members of
the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University
of Michigan.
"When we became involved with TIME and Ally, we
were aware of the critical part these dealers play in
their local communities," says Diana Crossley, Tauber
managing director and head of the judging panel. "But
it was illuminating and inspiring to learn how much of a
critical piece these dealers play in giving back to their local
communities.
"They're about so much more than just selling cars. They're
active members of the community, focused on outreach and
community-building."
"Each year the judges carefully weigh each dealership's
business performance and the dealer's community efforts,"
she says. "The award is about more than dealer performance
and selling cars. It's been our position that the community
engagement piece contributes equal, if not more, value to
the award. When we review the nominations, it's uplifting
and really humbling to see how seriously dealers take their
role - to see the level of commitment to their communities."
Says Katherine McDonnell, director of the TIME Dealer
of the Year program: "The nominees are among the
nation's most successful auto dealers, all of whom-most
importantly-demonstrate a long-standing commitment
to community service. Every year, we are amazed by what
they accomplish, both as individuals and collectively. These
people are all well-known in their communities for their
generosity and participation. They are truly unsung heroes."
Adds Ally's Manzo, "These dealers are everyday heroes
for all they give, as well as for being engines in their local
economies by providing good-paying jobs and successful
businesses. Ally is proud to support dealers and all the
remarkable work they do."

DECEMBER 2019 | ally | 5
Ally Supplement - December 16, 2019

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