Wanda Howell Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Accomplishments
(New York, NY, October 16, 2024) – The nomination of Wanda Howell, dealer at Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Griffin, Georgia, for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced today by TIME.
Howell is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 2025.
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. Howell was chosen to represent the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
“The most rewarding aspect of my automotive career has been the opportunity to inspire and elevate other women as leaders in this industry,” nominee Howell said. “Multigenerational women in dealerships are rare, and there were doubts about whether I could succeed in a male-dominated business. Yet, nearly 30 years later, I’ve not only survived but thrived.”
Howell earned an undergraduate degree in American studies from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia, in 1974, and a master’s in business education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1983. She always had an interest in retail – high-end fashion retail, that is – but when her father, J.A. Cronic, needed a dealer successor, she took on the challenge and joined the family auto group in 1985.
After working in sales for two years, Howell advanced to Pontiac sales manager and in 1996, she was named dealer at Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. She assumed leadership of all the family dealerships when her father passed away in 2003.
“Taking on this responsibility without my father’s safety net meant more challenges and longer hours, but it also pushed me to grow as a leader,” she said.
Today, Howell oversees the Cronic Automotive Group, which encompasses three dealerships in Griffin, representing brands Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, Ram, and Nissan.
“I owe much of my success to learning alongside my father, a WWII veteran who built his career from the ground up as a car dealer,” she said. “He taught me the importance of treating customers and employees with respect and instilled values that truly matter, both in business and in life. Since his passing, I’ve carried on his standards of excellence in running the dealerships.”
A 28-year member of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association, Howell has served on the group’s board for the past five years. She has chaired the convention committee and participated in the governmental relations committee.
“I have made a significant impact through my leadership positions, contributing to legislative efforts and actively engaging the membership body,” she said. “As a legislative liaison, I advocate for dealer interests, frequently making calls to members to inform them of upcoming legislation that may impact their franchises.”
One of Howell’s most important civic contributions is her work for the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), which empowers businesswomen through leadership, education, networking, and recognition.
“Since taking over as scholarship committee chair in 1988, we’ve raised more than $150,000 to support local women attending college,” she said.
Howell also brought together three other women’s business groups to support nonprofits by founding Good Clean Fun, a dealership event that generates donations of laundry pods and funds for local groups that aid women in need.
For the Griffin-Spalding County School System Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes outstanding public school teachers, Howell donates a year-long car lease to the honored educator.
Additionally, she is a huge supporter of the Salvation Army of Griffin, a group that plays a critical role in helping families in Spalding County. “Continuing a legacy started by my father, Cronic Automotive Group provides bell ringers for the Christmas Kettle drive and a complimentary vehicle for the organization to use during the campaign, plus we offer a major fiscal contribution.”
Other groups that Howell supports include Toys for Tots; Young Life-Griffin (a Christian ministry that reaches out to young people); Griffin Spalding Historical Society; Dolly Goodpuppy Society (canine rescue group); Wellstar Spalding Medical Center; Griffin/Spalding Chamber of Commerce; Southern Crescent Technical College; and many others.
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 AllyDealerHeroes.com, 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.”
Howell was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Lea Kirschner, president and CEO of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association. Howell and her husband, Lee, have three children.
About TIME
TIME is the 101-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of over 120 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world’s most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME’s mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios; a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises and custom experiences; TIME for Kids, which provides trusted news with a focus on news literacy for kids and valuable resources for teachers and families; the award-winning branded content studio Red Border Studios; the sustainability and climate action division TIME CO2 and more.
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves approximately 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com(opens in new window).
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About the NADA Show
The annual NADA Show brings together more than 20,000 franchised dealers and their employees, industry leaders, manufacturers and exhibitors to learn about the latest auto industry tools, trends, products and technologies.
