As confetti rained down, LiteHouse Auto owner Dan Johnson took the stage at the close of the 2023 NIADA Convention and Expo to receive the National Quality Dealer of the Year honor.
Nearly a full year has passed since the Lakewood, N.Y. dealer received the award in front of many of his industry peers, but its legacy has reshaped his outlook and business.
“This past year has certainly gone by fast,” Johnson said. “It feels like just yesterday we were in Las Vegas receiving the NQD award. What an unbelievable experience it was. I will never forget it. My team and I have used this award as a new plumb-line for our business – from the way we handle customers, to the community events we sponsor, and to the organizations we partner with. The NQD award isn’t a ‘moment’ at the convention. It’s something that sticks with you for the rest of your career. I am still completely honored and humbled to have been chosen!”
Johnson will help celebrate the newest NQD recipient at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, June 20 in the NIADA Awards Banquet. The session will be a celebration of the industry, with the Crystal Eagle recipients being honored for their work in growing the association, along with this year’s NIADA Foundation scholarship winners and the executive director of the year.
Johnson is looking forward to handing the plaque to the next NQD to join the elite company of dealers who have exemplified a commitment to quality and excellence in the industry, as well as outstanding customer service and community service.
The 11 finalists for this year’s honor are:
- Alabama: Randy Little, Randy Little, Little’s Auto Sales, Satsuma, Ala.
- Carolinas: Michael Threadgill, Triple T Motors, Florence, S.C.
- Colorado: Dave Guttenberg, Automotive Imports, Denver, Colo.
- Florida: Jason March, March Motors, Jacksonville, Fla.
- Iowa: Jeffrey West, Jeff’s Car Corner, Davenport, Iowa
- Indiana: Melanie Goldman, GMG Motors, Morgantown, Ind.
- Michigan: Kelly Herb, Tom Stehouwer Auto Sales, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Ohio: Lisa Marshall, North Main Motors, Marysville, Ohio
- Pennsylvania: Danielle Royer, Royer’s 322 Motors, Dubois, Pa.
- Texas: Armando Villarreal, McAllen Auto Sales, McAllen, Texas
- Virginia: Donald Sullivan, Jr., Sullivan Auto Trading, Fredricksburg, Va.
Read all about the finalists in the April issue of UCD.
