Michael Smith is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 110th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Orlando, Florida, on Feb. 19, 2027.
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. Smith was chosen to represent the New Car Dealers of Utah in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 58th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
“This nomination is an incredible honor, and I am grateful to represent our employees, customers, family and Utah’s automotive community,” Smith said. “Our success has always been a shared effort built on hard work, strong relationships and a commitment to treating people the right way.”
Smith has spent 30 years building his career at Doug Smith Dealerships. During that time, he has worked in every dealership department and gained experience across multiple stores. He has led the organization’s six dealerships for more than five years.
“Working throughout the dealership gave me an appreciation for every person and department involved in serving a customer,” Smith said. “Each position contributes to the success of the organization, and understanding those roles has made me a better leader.”
Smith represents the second generation of his family in the automotive business. His father, Doug Smith, founded Doug Smith Chrysler Plymouth in 1979. Today, Michael and his four brothers — Bryan, Tom, Dave and Spencer — each hold an ownership interest in the organization.
“I have been fortunate to grow within a family business that provided tremendous opportunities,” Smith said. “My responsibility has been to work hard, maximize those opportunities and help ensure that the company continues creating opportunities for others.”
Under Smith’s leadership, the organization has expanded by acquiring three dealerships and adding two open-point locations. The growth has increased the company’s reach while preserving the values established by its founder.
“Our growth has never changed the principle at the center of our business,” Smith said. “Our mission is to provide outstanding service by treating our employees and customers the way we would like to be treated.”
The organization employs 320 people and reported 20% year-over-year staff growth from 2025 to 2026. Eighty employees have worked for the company for at least six years, including 70 with more than a decade of service and 20 with more than 20 years.
“Our longtime employees provide continuity, experience and a deep understanding of the communities we serve,” Smith said. “Their commitment has helped shape our culture and allowed generations of customers to build lasting relationships with our dealerships.”
Employee benefits include healthcare coverage, employer contributions to health savings accounts, a 401(k) matching program and access to a college education at no charge.
Smith considers education and career development essential to helping employees build greater stability for themselves and their families.
“Removing the financial barrier to a college education gives employees the ability to pursue goals that may have once felt out of reach,” Smith said. “When employees grow personally and professionally, that progress strengthens their families, our organization and the broader community.”
Smith identifies helping employees and colleagues advance throughout his 30-year career as the most rewarding aspect of his work in automotive retail.
“A dealership should be a place where people can build meaningful, lasting careers,” Smith said. “Watching someone accept greater responsibility, develop as a leader and create a better future for a family is more rewarding than any individual business accomplishment.”
Doug Smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram’s employee and customer philosophy guides its daily operations and long-term decisions. The dealership emphasizes outstanding service, respectful relationships and consistent treatment across every customer and employee interaction.
“Our mission statement is not simply something displayed on a wall,” Smith said. “It gives employees a straightforward standard for making decisions: Treat others the way you would want to be treated.”
In 2025, Doug Smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram sold 450 new vehicles and 500 used vehicles. Through July 2026, the dealership sold 500 new vehicles and 600 used vehicles.
The organization’s dealerships have earned numerous manufacturer honors, including the Kia Global Best Dealer award, General Motors’ Mark of Excellence, Subaru community recognition and the Mopar Masters Award.
“These awards reflect the dedication of our employees and the trust customers place in our team,” Smith said. “Recognition is meaningful because it confirms that our people are delivering on the promises we make every day.”
Smith has been a member of NADA since 1995 and has served in leadership positions with the New Car Dealers of Utah, including as its president and in other board roles.
“Dealer associations give us an opportunity to work together on the issues affecting our businesses, employees and customers,” Smith said. “Although dealers compete in the marketplace, we share a responsibility to strengthen the industry and advocate for the communities we serve.”
Smith has also served on a local chamber of commerce board, supporting efforts to strengthen the regional business community.
His community involvement has included more than a decade of support for the Utah Autism Council. Smith and the organization have contributed more than $500,000 to support its work.
“Our involvement with the Utah Autism Council reflects a long-term commitment to the individuals and families it serves,” Smith said. “Sustained partnerships allow organizations to plan, grow and expand their impact throughout the community.”
Smith believes a successful dealership has a responsibility to invest in both its employees and the community surrounding it.
“Business success is most meaningful when it creates opportunities beyond the dealership,” Smith said. “We want our growth to support employees, strengthen families and give us the capacity to help organizations making a difference across Utah.”
Smith was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Craig Bickmore, assistant executive director of the New Car Dealers of Utah. Smith and his wife, Catherine, have two daughters: Annie and Olivia.
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 16th 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.
“The TIME Dealer of the Year program recognizes dealers who pair excellence in the automotive industry with an enduring commitment to the communities they serve,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “TIME is proud to partner with Ally to celebrate their achievements and spotlight the standard of leadership they set across the country.”
“Great dealerships are built by people, and the 2027 TIME Dealer of the Year nominees prove it,” said Doug Timmerman, president of Dealer Financial Services, Ally Financial. “These leaders invest in the teams who help customers through one of the biggest purchases of their lives and show up for the communities they call home. We’ve seen it firsthand at Ally, where dealers who lead this way do it not for recognition, but because it’s who they are. That’s what it means to do it right, and we’re proud to celebrate it.”
