2025 TDOY Nominee
A. Foster McKissick III
CEO of Fairway Automotive Group
Greenville, South Carolina
“From a young age, I was fascinated by cars. I spent countless hours watching my father at the store and learning the nuances of dealership operations. This hands-on experience ignited my passion for the industry and laid the foundation for my future.”
A. Foster McKissick III 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. McKissick was chosen to represent the South Carolina 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.
“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to create opportunities that make a positive impact in my local area,” nominee McKissick said “These efforts have helped fund essential services and resources for families in need, strengthening the fabric of our community.”
A 1978 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he earned a degree in business, McKissick always knew he wanted to follow the path of his father, Foster II, and work at the Ford dealership his dad founded in 1966.
“From a young age, I was fascinated by cars,” he said. “I spent countless hours watching my father at the store and learning the nuances of dealership operations. This hands-on experience ignited my passion for the industry and laid the foundation for my future.”
After college, McKissick started his career in sales, later moving to sales manager, F&I (Finance & Insurance) manager, and dealer in 1992.
“It was a challenging environment, but I embraced every opportunity to learn,” he said. “I sought mentorship from experienced professionals and actively pursued certifications to enhance my skills.”
Today, he owns and runs Fairway Automotive Group with his son, Foster IV, who is the next generation to carry on his family’s legacy. The company represents brands Ford, Lincoln, and Subaru at its Greenville location.
A longtime member of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, McKissick has served on the group’s board for 13 years, and was board president for two years and NADA director for six years.
“It has been rewarding to advocate for fellow dealers and understand different viewpoints within our industry,” he said. “I have benefitted from interacting with my peers and colleagues statewide in an effort to improve dealership processes for employees and enhance the car-buying experience for consumers.”
With such deep roots in the Greenville community, McKissick supports many nonprofits and charities that make an impact locally, including Make-A-Wish South Carolina, Meals on Wheels of Greenville, Greenville Humane Society, United Way of Greenville County, Harvest Hope food bank and many others.
McKissick also serves on the board of Upstate Warrior Solution, an organization that provides support to local veterans and their families.
“I am very proud of the work that we have done to connect veterans to community partners that assist with housing, employment, healthcare, education, and family support,” he said.
As a board member for The Citadel Foundation, McKissick has spearheaded an initiative that awards an annual scholarship to a distinguished student athlete from the state of South Carolina who would otherwise be unable to afford tuition.
He has also provided leadership to other groups, including the American Red Cross, Upstate South Carolina Chapter, Coaches for Character and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources where he served on the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, to name a few.
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.”
McKissick was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by E. Sims Floyd Jr., executive vice president of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association. McKissick and his wife, Murray, have two children.
