2026 TDOY Nominee

Lee Edwards 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 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. Edwards was chosen to represent the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide. 

Edwards grew up in the family business founded in 1916 as Edwards Motor Company. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he completed additional training through Pat Ryan F&I School, Chevrolet Dealer Son School and Dale Carnegie School. He began his career at Edwards Chevrolet as an assistant service manager, then expanded his experience working for Josh Darden at Colonial Chevrolet in Norfolk, Virginia, before returning to Birmingham in 1993. Today, he serves as President of Edwards Chevrolet, which employs 152 people.

“I grew up working every summer at the dealership, from washing cars to stocking parts,” Edwards said. “Those experiences gave me a deep respect for every job in the business and a commitment to making sure our employees always feel valued. One of the most important lessons I ever learned came from my mentor, Josh Darden — the idea of being a ‘good corporate citizen.’ That philosophy still guides everything we do today.” 

When GM restructured, Edwards seized an unexpected opportunity to acquire a wind-down Pontiac dealer’s entire wholesale parts operation. It was a huge financial gamble during the financial crisis, but it has been a very successful new profit center in the dealership. The parts department has now grown to be the 7th largest in the nation for GM and the largest in the Southeast.

The dealership also modernized office space to Chevrolet standards, converted all interior and lot lighting to LED, and repurposed its body shop to expand service capacity. “Outsourcing body work to a growing local shop — which is also a strong parts customer — let us scale service in a ready-made space without the cost of new construction,” Edwards added. Edwards has also grown a commercial truck operation with dedicated inventory, signage, a specialist salesperson, and trained technicians. “Commercial sales help smooth economic cycles and serve local businesses with exactly what they need.” 

“For us, employee wellness begins with job satisfaction — meaningful work, growth opportunities, strong benefits, and a culture you’re proud of,” Edwards said. The company offers competitive wages, promotes from within, and counts 32 team members with 10+ years of service alongside many long-tenured retirees. Facilities include break rooms, lockers, showers, and a training room; benefits include BCBS ‘Blue 365’ health, company-paid life insurance, and a 401(k) with match.

“We’re in our 109th year as a family-led business — three generations and now a fourth actively involved, Edwards said. Other than two years away, this is the only place I’ve worked in nearly 40 years, and now both of my kids are here. That continuity matters to our people.” 

The culture extends into the community through monthly activities and a voluntary employee giving program that, with dealership matching, typically totals $50,000–$75,000 annually. “We support a wide range of charities, including cancer groups, heart and Alzheimer’s research, children’s causes, conservation, United Way, shelters, re-entry programs, and inner-city schools — so every employee can connect their work to something that’s touched their family.”

In 2024, the CDK cybersecurity breach shut systems down for two weeks. “We went old-school — paper, fax, manual lookups — and trusted customers to return and settle up, Edwards said. They did. It reminded us how resourceful and loyal our team and community are.” The store has since strengthened training, systems, and backups. 

Over the past 18 months, the dealership digitized service with Dealerlogix/Text2Drive on iPads: VIN scans at check-in, photos/videos, text approvals, real-time updates, and secure pay-by-link — plus a convenient shuttle in Birmingham’s busy downtown. “It’s faster for customers, raises CSI and reviews, and lets more of our team get home earlier — better service and better lives,” Edwards noted.

When a recent college graduate’s Tahoe suffered catastrophic engine failure after a move to Wyoming, the customer asked Edwards Chevrolet to quarterback the repair from afar. “We covered transport of her belongings, sourced and shipped a replacement engine at our expense when the local dealer couldn’t find one, and paid to deliver the vehicle when repairs were done,” Edwards said. “She left glowing reviews and sent friends and family. We just did what was right, even from 1,400 miles away.” 

For more than 20 years, Edwards Chevrolet has supported Children’s Hospital of Alabama — including a major campaign to replace all eight ECMO machines. 

“My son’s life was saved in that NICU 25 years ago, so when the hospital needed to raise $1 million privately, I pledged 30% personally and 20% through our family foundation, then helped raise the rest. Those eight machines save children’s lives every day,” Edwards said. Those eight machines save children’s lives every day.”  

Each Christmas, the store donates 250–300 bicycles to the hospital’s Sugar Plum Shop, with employees volunteering at the event.

Edwards was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama. Edwards and his wife, Jenny, have two children, Ellen Coleman Alexander and Lee Edwards III, both of whom now work in the family business as the fourth generation of leadership.