PORT ANGELES — Dan Wilder of Wilder Auto Center and Wilder Toyota-Scion was a finalist for the 2010 national Time magazine Dealer of the Year Award.
This was the second year in a row that a dealer from Washington state has been named one of three finalists.
Forty-five auto dealers from around the country were nominated for the 41st annual award, which recognizes new car and truck dealers for exceptional performance in their dealerships and distinguished community service.
The Dealer of the Year Award is presented by Time magazine in partnership with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and the National Automobile Dealers Association. Judges are University of Michigan Graduate School of Business Administration faculty members.
Scott Wood, owner of Scott Wood Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge in Batesville, Ark., was chosen as Dealer of the Year.
Finalists with Wilder — who was also picked as the Time Dealer of the Year for Washington state — were Kathleen Gaddie of Minot, N.D., and John Giambalvo of York, Pa.
“Having a Washington dealer as a regional finalist for two consecutive years is an incredible accomplishment,” said Washington State Auto Dealers Association President Mary Byrne.
“Dan Wilder is an amazingly generous man, outstanding business leader and a wonderful representative for our state’s stellar dealer body.”
Wilder accepted the finalist award during ceremonies last weekend at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla.
“Our family has truly been blessed,” Wilder said.
“Our core belief as a family is that it’s better to give than to receive.
“We believe that giving to our community is not optional but is a way to give back.
“We’re so thankful for the community that supports us and for having such great employees that support us.”
Wilder began his career in the automobile industry in 1966 as a parts delivery man for a Volkswagen dealer in California.
In 1977, he moved to Port Angeles to buy a dealership of his own and, at 27, became the second-youngest Volkswagen dealer in the United States.
Since then, his two dealerships on Deer Park Road have grown to a staff of more than 100.
Also at Wilder Auto Center and Wilder Toyota-Scion are Wilder’s son Dan Jr. as the general manager and daughter Tami as the employee and customer relations manager.
Three grandchildren regularly help out by washing cars on the lot and answering phones.
Wilder has served on the Olympic Medical Center Foundation board for 20 years and has sponsored the foundation’s well-known Great Olympic Duck Derby, supplying a Toyota truck to the top winner since 1989.
He has been on the Independent Bible Church elder board for 29 years and actively supports the Olympic Kidney Center board, the Peninsula College Foundation, Young Life and United Way.
He has served as a member of the Peninsula College board of trustees, donates and raises money for scholarships and speaks to students about the importance of education.
Part of the dealership’s benefit package allows employees to send their children to Peninsula College for two years with paid tuition.
Wilder received the Robert P. Mallon Dealer of the Year award at the Washington State Auto Dealers Association’s annual convention in 2009.
Selected by a committee of his peers, the award recognized Wilder’s contributions to the auto industry, quality dealership operations and outstanding community service.
Wilder has been a Washington State Auto Dealers Association member for 31 years and on its board of directors for nine.
He will serve as president of the association in 2012.
