A second-generation dealer, Donald Sullivan, Jr., never wavered on a career choice.
Joining the industry after college, he’s helped build the family dealership, Sullivan Auto Trading. He’s also dedicated himself to improving the industry as a whole.
Sullivan was honored Thursday as the 2024 National Quality Dealer of the Year at the NIADA Awards Ceremony to close the NIADA Convention and Expo at the Wynn Las Vegas. The Virginia Quality Dealer of the Year was one of 11 finalists for the honor.
“It’s humbling. There’s so many qualified dealers here on the stage,” Sullivan said. “To be selected among all of them is an achievement of a lifetime. I’m so thankful for it.”
In accepting the honor, Sullivan thanked his family, staff and Christ for helping him.
“I don’t believe any successful person gets to where they are by themselves. I don’t really believe in self-made men,” Sullivan said. “I believe there is always a community of people around them that helps them get to the position they are at.”
He added that he shares the honor with the entire team at Sullivan Auto Trading.
“I told them, if I win this, we win this together. There’s no way one person can win this by themselves,” he said. “They feel that. Not only my family but our whole organization. They’ve worked super hard for this.”
By focusing on people, processes and technology, he’s helped build the dealership to two locations in Fredericksburg and Norfolk, selling 150 vehicles per month out of their regular 300-vehicle inventory.
His commitment to the industry stretches well past his dealership. He’s currently the Virginia IADA President and has written a curriculum for the state’s academy. Proceeds of the first-of-its-kind class developed by this certified master dealer, he’s asked to be sent to an organization he founded to help abused, trafficked, abandoned, homeless and disadvantaged children.
He gives back to his community as a board member and trustee at his church. He also coaches youth sports.
One of the charitable events his dealership participates in is Single Parent Saturday. More than 100 single parents receive a free oil change and vehicle detail while fun activities are held for the children.
“Thank you for this award. My name will be written down in the NIADA history books but that is only because of God’s grace and unmerited favor that he has on my life,” Sullivan said.
The other finalists recognized were:
- 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
At the awards ceremony, New York and New Jersey Executive Director, Paula Frendel, CAE, was named the AEC of the Year.
“This is the greatest honor with all the amazing executive directors we have in the U.S.,” Frendel said. “It’s a true honor, especially since it’s voted on by your peers.”
George Karlen received the Mike R. Linn Lifetime Achievement Award.
“There’s probably no more dedicated person to NIADA than Mike Linn. It’s truly an honor to get this award,” Karlen said.
Two members received Crystal Eagles for recruiting more than 100 members in the past two years: Jason Reaves, Wayne Reeves Software, Georgia; Chris Maher, Car Credit Nation, Virginia.
