CALIFORNIAN NAMED TIME DEALER OF THE YEAR

Time Magazine Dealer of the Year: Timothy Smith

February 9, 2008 —Timothy J. Smith, president of Bob Smith BMW/Mini, Calabasas, Calif., was named Time Magazine Dealer of the Year at the general session today.

Smith, a third-generation car dealer, began working at his father’s store the summer after eighth grade. But he had other career plans. After returning from active duty training with the U.S. Army, he was headed to Loyola Law School. Instead, he began selling new cars at Bob Smith Volkswagen/Porsche in Hollywood, alongside his two brothers.

“I sure wish there was something on these Teleprompters,” joked Smith, in an impromptu acceptance speech. Smith said he was especially honored to be named the 2008 Time dealer in San Francisco, where his grandfather started his first business in 1917.

Smith and his dealership have supported a wide range of organizations and causes. He and his wife, Judy, have been major benefactors of schools and organizations that support church and child welfare. He cites his service as a trustee for the Catholic Education Foundation as his most meaningful civic contribution. “The foundation provides tuition grants for children to attend Catholic schools in Los Angeles,” he says. “Instead of going to gangs, our recipients go to college.”

The 2008 regional finalists were Harry Brown of Jacksonville, N.C.; Franklin Downing Jr. of Williamsville, N.Y.; and Mark Olinyk of Plover, Wis.

This was the association’s 39th annual award sponsored and presented by Time magazine in association with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

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