On October 27, TIME revealed Dale Benton, the president of Benton Nissan of Hoover in Hoover, Alabama, as one of the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.
Benton will receive recognition on February 3, 2024, at the 107th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, along with 49 other dealer nominees nationwide.
Within the automotive industry, one of the most coveted and esteemed awards is the TIME Dealer of the Year. The award honors the most prosperous car dealers in the country who have also shown a sustained dedication to community service. Car Dealers Association of Alabama selected Benton to compete nationally on their behalf.
“The automotive industry has been the vehicle for me to achieve the American Dream,” Benton said. “Creating a company that improves our communities has been the most fulfilling aspect of my career. Maintaining an environment where workers are proud to work is also a privilege.”
Benton studied at Kennesaw State College in Kennesaw, Georgia, and Jefferson Davis Community College (now known as Coastal Alabama Community College) in Brewton, Alabama. He planned to play professional baseball, but two years into his athletic scholarship, he suffered a career-ending injury.
Benton places a high value on his company’s reputation and brand within the communities his dealerships serve. “Investing in the community and helping others is good for business, but when it comes from the heart, it’s contagious and creates a culture of generosity,” he stated. “When you are part of something bigger than yourself, it feeds the soul and gives life more purpose.”
His creation of the yearly Benton Nissan Bass Fishing Tournament, which supports King’s Home, an organization that assists women, children, and youth in escaping abuse, neglect, or homelessness throughout Alabama, is something he is proud of.
“King’s Home provides more than just shelter. It offers rehabilitative programs to help bring restoration and hope,” Benton stated. “In the past six years, we have raised and donated $217,000, and we could not have achieved this milestone without the support of our employees.”
As the 13th year-long exclusive sponsor, Ally will also donate $1,000 to each nominee’s preferred 501(c)3 charity to honor dealer nominees and their community service efforts. The philanthropic endeavors and accomplishments of the TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are showcased on AllyDealerHeroes.com, where recipients will receive recognition.
