SAN FRANCISCO – A former service technician, who some people once told that he’d never fulfill his dream of becoming a dealer, is this year’s TIME Dealer of the Year.
Georgia native Andy Crews, who now heads a New Hampshire dealership group, wins the honor. He’s picked from an elite group of 55 nominees who take the stage at an annual ceremony during the National Automobile Dealers Assn. here.
In addressing the audience, Crews thanks people who believed in him, particularly his wife.
“I also thank the people that said, ‘You are not going to do it; you’ll never be a dealer.’ That just (ticks) you off, and makes you work harder.”
Sponsored exclusively by Ally Financial, the awards program recognizes dealers who are both successful business people and community do-gooders.
“The dealers nominated for this award are incredible business owners, but also incredible advocates for giving back to their local communities," says Tim Russi, Ally’s president-Auto Finance. “Ally is continually inspired by their stories of giving and their love for this business.”
In its fourth year as exclusive sponsor, Ally contributes $10,000 to the winner’s nonprofit organization of choice, as well as $5,000 to charities selected by each of the three regional finalists. Ally also donated $1,000 to charities selected by each of the 55 dealer nominees.
The three regional finalists are Greg York of Vann York Auto Group in High Point, NC; Michael Shannon of Holiday Automotive in Fond Du Lac, WS; and Greg Goodwin of Kuni Lexus of Portland in Portland, OR.
A list and bios of the finalists and all the nominees is here.
A Georgia native, Crews graduated from Tucker High School in Tucker, GA, in 1988. His first contact with the auto industry was tenuous: he worked at a service station at age 16.
He became a U.S. Marine, specializing as a mechanic. He then entered the General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program and became a certified technician, earning an apprenticeship and a full-time job.
Crews served his country again as a Marine reservist during Operation Desert Storm, returning to the automotive business after his tour of duty.
His career advanced and took him to different cities throughout the country as he learned the automotive retail business and rose through the ranks before he was named president and CEO of AutoFair dealer group in Manchester. He’s a partner in the company that runs seven stores and employs about 600 people.
Crews says he’s proud of his employees’ commitment to their communities. A few years ago, they began donating proceeds of auto sales to help feed needy families at Thanksgiving.
Education is also at the forefront of his charitable initiatives. He worked with the mayor of Manchester to create the Make the Grade program, which helps motivate high school seniors to get better grades for a chance to win a car.
He has worked closely with New Hampshire’s community technical colleges to see that students get the most advanced education to become trained auto technicians. Crews received an honorary degree from Manchester Community College for his works.
“Receiving the honorary degree was rewarding, because it allowed me to speak directly to so many students about my automotive career and about how my hard work to learn all aspects of the business helped lead me to the position I now hold,” he says.
He adds: “But it was my work as a mechanic and technician that really got me on my way to a good career.”
He also participates in a program aimed at hiring military veterans. He lends his help and expertise to several organizations, including the American Cancer Society New Hampshire Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club, Manchester Animal Shelter and Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.
The father of two daughters tells the NADA general assembly that he recalls attending NADA conventions as a young man and seeing photos of TIME Dealer of the Year honorees lining a corridor wall.
“I told my wife, ‘One day my photo will be up there.,’” he says. “And she believed me.”
