2026 TDOY Nominee
Anthony Young
President of Young Chevrolet Cadillac
Owosso, Michigan
Anthony Young is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 5, 2026.
The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Young was chosen to represent the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
Young, 61, is a second-generation dealer who has spent his entire career at the family-owned Young Chevrolet Cadillac. He graduated from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, in 1984 with an associate degree in automotive marketing before joining the dealership founded by his father, Michael Young Sr., and uncle, Bruce Young.
“From the very beginning, my father and uncle instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity and an unwavering commitment to customer service,” Young said. “I knew I wanted to carry forward their tradition and continue strengthening the bond between our family business and our community.”
Young began as a salesperson in 1984 and steadily rose through the ranks — sales manager in 1991, general manager in 1995 and owner/dealer in 2000. In 1999, when Oldsmobile was discontinued, Young spearheaded the dealership’s pivot to Chevrolet, which proved transformational.
“That transition was a turning point for us,” he explained. “It gave us the ability to double our sales, expand our team and gain the advantage of offering Chevrolet’s full lineup, including trucks.”
Under his leadership, Young Chevrolet Cadillac has grown to employ 141 people and has received multiple awards, including Cadillac Master Dealer (2020–2025), the Chevrolet Mark of Excellence Award (2020–2025) and recognition as a Chevrolet Elite Dealer (2025).
Young is deeply committed to employee well-being. “Our employees are our greatest asset,” he noted. “By investing in their health and wellness, we not only strengthen our team but also give back to the communities where they live and work.”
During economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic, his dealership never laid off a single employee. “Throughout it all, we’ve never laid off an employee,” Young emphasized. “We found creative ways to continue serving customers while ensuring our team remained employed.”
He has also embraced innovation to remain competitive, introducing electronic signature technology and enhanced customer communication systems. “We introduced electronic signatures to streamline transactions, making it possible for customers miles away to complete deals quickly and efficiently,” Young said. “These changes keep us competitive and ensure we meet customers where they are today.”
Young shared a recent example of his dealership’s long-standing reputation for customer care. “Rather than treating it as just another sale, our team made it an experience that connected a granddaughter to her grandfather’s first purchase here,” he said. “That’s the heart of what we do — building relationships that span decades.”
Community service is a cornerstone of the Young family legacy. The dealership has long supported local causes, including the Backpack Food Program, which provides 140 food packets twice per month to students and families in need. “No child should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from,” Young said. “Our Backpack Food Program allows us to give back in a way that makes a direct, meaningful difference.”
Beyond philanthropy, the dealership also invests in employee volunteerism, local boards, youth sports sponsorships, animal welfare and conservation efforts.
One of Young’s proudest moments has been watching his two sons, Alex and Ben, join the dealership as the third generation of Young family dealers. “Watching Alex and Ben become the third generation of Young Dealers is one of the proudest moments of my life,” he shared. “Our dealership is not just about cars — it’s about legacy, family and serving our community.”
Young is a longtime member of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) and the Chevy LMA, where he currently serves as president. His leadership has helped advance dealer interests across Michigan through legislative advocacy, professional development and consumer-focused programs.
Dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive $5,000 for their favorite charities and the winner will receive $10,000 to give to charity, donated by Ally.
In its 14th year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees will be recognized on ally.com/go/tdoy , which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.
“At TIME, our commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of automotive dealers remains as strong as ever,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award continues to celebrate those who not only excel in their profession but also make a meaningful impact in their communities. We are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”
Doug Timmerman, Ally president of Dealer Financial Services, said, “Auto dealers are the backbones of their communities, providing civic support and significant business leadership. Ally is proud to recognize the unwavering commitment these TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are living every day through their volunteerism, sponsorships, and support of charitable causes. They are the epitome of community heroes, making important and positive impacts in the lives of the people they serve.”
Young was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. Young and his wife, Julie, are the proud parents of Alex and Ben.
