Bob Giles named Time Dealer of the Year

Bob Giles, owner of Giles Automotive in Lafayette, La., was named 2022 Time Dealer of the Year by leaders from Time magazine and Ally Financial.

The Louisiana dealer's business and community leadership earned him the award, now in its 53rd year. One of his projects is the Giles Essential Errand Running Service, which offers grocery deliveries by dealership staff to senior citizens and immuno-compromised individuals.

Keith Grossman, president of Time, and Doug Timmerman, president of Dealer Financial Services at Ally, announced Giles as the winner at a ceremony honoring all 47 dealer nominees.

The four other finalists are:

• Robert Sickel, Pine Belt Chevrolet, Lakewood, N.J.
• Todd Ouellette Sr., Long-Lewis Ford of the Shoals, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
• Gregg Kunes, Kunes Country Ford-Lincoln, Delavan, Wis.
• Chris Wilson, Wilson Motor Co., Logan, Utah

Giles graduated from Texas A&M University in 1976, but his training began at age 11 when he washed vehicles at his dad's dealership in Denison, Texas. After working in all departments and earning his accounting degree, Giles became sales manager at age 24. A few years later, he was awarded a Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi store in Lafayette, where he established what would become Giles Automotive Inc. The group has five stores in three cities, representing Nissan, Subaru and Volvo.

Ally, the exclusive sponsor of the award, will give $10,000 to the charity of Giles' choice. The company will donate $5,000 to nonprofit organizations selected by each of the four finalists.