Neill Nelson Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Accomplishments

(New York, NY, October 16, 2024) – The nomination of Neill Nelson, president and dealer principal at Davenport Autopark, a GMC and Honda dealership in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced today by TIME.

Nelson is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 2025.

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Nelson was chosen to represent the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide. 

“The most rewarding impact of my career came after I recognized our business as fulfilling a greater purpose,” nominee Nelson said. “That’s when profit goals became generosity goals. And this led to our investing more in our employees and their health – physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually – and finding more generous and creative ways to support the community.”

Nelson earned a B.S. in business administration from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, in 1976. From the minute he saw the “muscle cars” of the late 1960s in the showroom of his father’s dealership, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the auto industry.

“I vividly remember drooling over the GTOs and Firebirds at age 13, thinking about one day owning those ‘dream machines,’” he said. “My father knew I was enamored, and it wasn’t long before I was washing and detailing cars, stocking and selling parts, and doing other odd jobs around the store.”

The dealership was originally founded by Nelson’s maternal grandfather, David W. Davenport, in 1929. His father, Joseph H. Nelson, joined his father-in-law and helped build the business over the years.

A week after Nelson graduated from college, he joined his father and got to work selling cars. He immersed himself in all aspects of dealership operations and attended a management development program through General Motors to hone his leadership skills. In 2015, he was named president and dealer operator and today, he owns the dealership with his father. His son, Graham, has also joined the business and is the next generation to carry on the family legacy.

“I have been blessed along the way by mentors all around me who went out of their way to support me, coach me, teach me, and, when I needed it, correct me,” he said.

In 2017, Nelson joined an organization called C12, which shows leaders how to build great businesses for a greater purpose. “My involvement in this organization has played a tremendous role in the impact we are having in the community and in the lives of our employees,” he said.

Nelson currently serves on the executive committee of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association and participates in the group’s Hometown Heroes Program by hosting an annual event at the dealership honoring local first responders. He is also proud to contribute to the strategic direction of the association and advocate for dealers statewide.

An active member of the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount, Nelson has led the group as president and supports many of the club’s initiatives, including the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program that buys, builds, and delivers beds to children in need. He also sponsors Tackle the Tar, a 5K obstacle course race that raises funds for Rotary Club scholarships awarded to local students.

Nelson created Davenport Autopark’s Community for Life program to give back to local charities on a regular basis. For every new or pre-owned vehicle sold, a portion of the sale is set aside and donated to a different worthy organization each month. A few that have benefitted include Harrison Family YMCA; Christian Fellowship Home of Nash-Edgecombe Counties; Meals on Wheels of Rocky Mount; Down East Partnership for Children; and the Salvation Army.

An advocate for education and local students, Nelson supports the Nash County Public Schools by providing a car for a year to an outstanding teacher during the annual Educator of the Year Awards program. He is also a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region.

Dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive $5,000 for their favorite charities and the winner will receive $10,000 to give to charity, donated by Ally.

In its 14th year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees will be recognized on AllyDealerHeroes.com, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.

“At TIME, our commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of automotive dealers remains as strong as ever,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award continues to celebrate those who not only excel in their profession but also make a meaningful impact in their communities. We are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”

Doug Timmerman, Ally president of Dealer Financial Services, said, “Auto dealers are the backbones of their communities, providing civic support and significant business leadership. Ally is proud to recognize the unwavering commitment these TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are living every day through their volunteerism, sponsorships, and support of charitable causes. They are the epitome of community heroes, making important and positive impacts in the lives of the people they serve.”

Nelson was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by T. John Policastro, president of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association. Nelson and his wife Stella have a blended family consisting of 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

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About TIME

TIME is the 101-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of over 120 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world's most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME's mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios; a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises and custom experiences; TIME for Kids, which provides trusted news with a focus on news literacy for kids and valuable resources for teachers and families; the award-winning branded content studio Red Border Studios; the sustainability and climate action division TIME CO2 and more.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves approximately 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.

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About the NADA Show

The annual NADA Show brings together more than 20,000 franchised dealers and their employees, industry leaders, manufacturers and exhibitors to learn about the latest auto industry tools, trends, products and technologies.