North Carolina's Salzman is recognized as Time's Dealer of the Year

Jack Salzman of Cornelius, North Carolina has been named Time Dealer of the Year, an award he received at this weekend's NADA Show 2018 in Las Vegas.

The annual Time Dealer of the Year is a national award recognizing dealers who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships and perform distinguished community service, according to a news release. Salzman, who owns Lake Norman Chrysler, was recognized for his exceptional commitment to giving back to his community. 

"When I purchased the dealership in 2003, my wife and I decided that we wanted to focus our philanthropic time and attention on three areas: animals in need, children in need and women in need," Salzman said in the blog release. Upon receiving the award, he dedicated it to his wife, Robin Smith-Salzman.

Salzman is a longtime supporter of women and children's organizations in North Carolina, according to the blog release. That support includes organizations such as The Dove House Children's Advocacy Center in Statesville; Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center in Charlotte; Amy's House in Lincolnton; and The Shelter of Gaston County in Gastonia.

"We believe these organizations serve a critical need in our community," Salzman said in the news release.

Salzman also contributes to the Humane Society of Charlotte and is a founding board member of Lake Norman Humane, according to the release. He and his wife support Lake Norman Lucky Cats, a trap-neuter-return organization, and Holly’z Hope, which provides fences for homeowners so their dogs don't have to be chained, according to the blog release.

Salzman, who was nominated for the award by North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association President Robert Glaser, was among four finalists for the Time Dealer of the Year award. Others were Brent Brown, president of Brent Brown Toyota in Orem, Utah; William Fenton, president of Toyota of Keene in East Swanzey, New Hampshire; and Wally Sommer, president of Sommer’s Subaru in Mequon, Wisconsin.

The annual award is a partnership between Ally Financial and NADA, with representatives from Time magazine and Ally presenting the award during this weekend's NADA Show 2018 convention.

Salzman said the most rewarding part of his retail automotive career "has been hiring great people and investing in their future."

"We pride ourselves on searching out quality employees and providing them with the tools and support they need to grow from entry-level jobs up to top management positions within the company," Salzman said in the release.

Shortly after earning his J.D. from the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova University, now Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1989, Salzman started his own business with a cellular phone agency. Later, he accepted a sales manager position with a local auto dealership and he has been active in the automotive industry ever since.

Salzman owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealerships in Cornelius and Gastonia, North Carolina.