2026 TDOY Nominee
Stephen Kissee
Dealer Principal of Jack Kissee Ford
Claremore, Oklahoma
Stephen Kissee 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. Kissee was chosen to represent the Oklahoma 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.
Kissee has spent nearly five decades growing the dealership his father founded in 1958 into a vital part of the Claremore community. After earning a business degree from Oklahoma State University, Kissee joined the dealership in 1976 and became Dealer Principal in 1991.
“I wanted to honor my father’s legacy, make him proud of me and create my own path in establishing a dealership that succeeded by valuing employees, taking care of them and taking care of all customers,” he said.
Today, Jack Kissee Ford employs 45 staff members, and Kissee continues to invest in both the business and the people behind it. Recent upgrades include full facility renovations, energy-efficient lighting, a new AI-enabled lead management system and expanded service bays — all aimed at improving the experience for both customers and employees.
“I have a desire to work as hard as anyone in my dealership to achieve success in every area,” Kissee noted. “We’ve focused on name recognition, advertising and lead response — and it’s already improving our close ratio.”
When asked about employee culture, Kissee pointed to a robust support system that includes health insurance, a 401(k) plan, and matching holiday bonuses, in addition to festive Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.
The dealership’s approach to crises has built deep loyalty. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kissee prioritized health and stability. “If they were exposed to COVID or thought they had it, we had them stay home with pay and get tested,” he said. “I think the way we showed we cared helped a lot with company morale.”
That same commitment carried through a recent tornado that damaged the business and surrounding area. Employees jumped in to help, and Kissee made sure they were paid for their time off. He also helped coordinate a $5,000 donation to Oklahoma Disaster Relief through the Ford Dealer Advertising Board.
Kissee’s dedication extends far beyond his store. He has held leadership positions on the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission and the Oklahoma Ford Dealers Advertising Board, and served as trustee of First Baptist Church for over 20 years.
In the community, Kissee is known for his hands-on generosity. Recently, his dealership provided a new Ford Escape to support Miss Oklahoma 2024–2025, a young woman pursuing a law degree to help families through the adoption process.
“We served not only Lauren, but the Miss Oklahoma pageant and our community by showing our willingness to help,” Kissee said. “Helping others is at the heart of what we do.”
He also shared a personal moment that reflects his leadership philosophy: “An elderly couple I’d sold a vehicle to years ago called and said, ‘Just pick one out and bring it to us — we trust you.’ I did, and they loved it. That’s when I knew our culture was working.”
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.”
Stephen Kissee was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Ted Smith, President of the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association. A second-generation dealer, Kissee joined his family’s Claremore, Oklahoma, Ford dealership after graduating from Oklahoma State University and eventually took over the reins following his father’s passing in 1991. His sister, Cynthia Sullivan, owns a 10% stake in the dealership, continuing the family’s legacy.
