2026 TDOY Nominee

James Buzzetta, Jr. is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109^th 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. Buzzetta was chosen to represent the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57^th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

Buzzetta grew up in the family business, spending school breaks at the dealership alongside his father and grandfather.

“My grandfather loved cars, but what stood out even more was how much he cared for his employees and the community,” Buzzetta said. “Each day he walked every department, greeted people by name and taught me that running a business is really about caring for people, not just selling cars.”

Those values continue to guide all five stores on Long Island. In 2018, Buzzetta transformed a former luxury brand facility into a fully compliant, state-of-the-art Subaru storefront — expanding the service shop, adding bays throughout the shop, creating efficiencies by streamlining the workflow, installing an eco-friendly car wash and positioning the customer lounge area as the heart of the dealership, with expanded seating, child- and dog-friendly areas, and a living plant wall.

“We built a welcoming, experience-driven store that reflects Subaru’s lifestyle and our commitment to sustainability,” he said. “Since opening, sales and service have grown, retention has strengthened and customer satisfaction keeps rising.”

Buzzetta is unafraid of bold moves.

“The biggest risk of my career was leaving a well-established franchise to invest in an emerging luxury brand,” he said. “We kept every employee through the transition —protecting our people and doing whatever was needed for customers. It’s taken courage and patience, but the team is stronger and there’s real excitement about building something new.”

Over the past 18 months, Buzzetta has doubled down on people and process. He reimagined a new role for a tenured associate as the store’s EnCore Delivery Specialist and Subaru Love Promise Champion.

“Long-term employee Regina personally guides customers through their vehicles, answers follow-up questions and stays in touch long after the sale,” he noted. “She’s become the heart of the store — and customers mention her by name in reviews. Our CSI and repeat business reflect that care.”

A hallmark customer-care moment underscored that philosophy: after a routine oil-change visit, a long-time customer’s vehicle unexpectedly caught fire and was totaled.

“With Subaru’s support, we immediately provided a newer vehicle at no cost — no questions asked,” Buzzetta said. “Doing what’s right mattered more than the financial hit. That customer remains loyal and shares his story often.”

During COVID, Buzzetta kept his entire team employed.

“Revenue vanished overnight, but we never missed payroll. We checked in constantly, protected our people, and came out with deeper trust and a stronger culture,” he said.

Employee wellness is central to that culture. Competition Subaru offers zero-copay primary-care and wellness visits, vaccinations, telemedicine, and mental health therapy for employees and families, up to $200 in gym reimbursements, added holidays (Labor Day, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day), outdoor picnic spaces, and a private cafeteria, plus regular luncheons, barbecues, ice-cream days, and holiday events. Staff enjoy a VIP membership at The Paramount Huntington for local entertainment, and structured volunteer time during work hours. The dealership funds continuing education, factory, and internal training, and prioritizes promotions from within.

Buzzetta’s community leadership is equally robust. Competition Subaru’s most impactful initiative is long-standing support of Alternatives for Children, a school serving children with special needs — more than $125,000 donated directly, $25,000+ raised annually via sponsorships, and additional funds through car shows and raffles. Contributions have built a playground, upgraded classrooms and the music room and provided Smartboards and computers, benefiting hundreds of children each year. The store also runs food and turkey drives, supports the Stony Brook Veterans Home, donates blankets to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, sponsors a car lift at Suffolk Community College’s Automotive Program and participates in high school and college career fairs.

“A lot has changed since my grandfather’s day — technology, expectations, compliance — but respect, loyalty and an exceptional experience never go out of style,” Buzzetta said. “We aim to be a dealership where customers feel seen, employees build careers and the community is better because we’re here.”

Buzzetta was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. He and his wife Olivia have two children, Blair and James.