2025 TDOY Nominee

Andrew Walser is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 108^th 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. Walser was chosen to represent the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56^th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

“My biggest and most rewarding impact has been driving Walser’s culture of constant innovation to become a modern dealer for the modern customer,” nominee Walser said. “My work has been focused on challenging the traditional dealership model and people’s impressions of our industry to create a stress-free, contemporary car-buying experience.”

Walser earned a marketing degree from Arizona State University in Tempe in 1989. He had dreams of working on Wall Street and wasn’t interested in the family car dealership, which his father, Jack, opened in 1954.

When he needed a job before starting college, his father recommended that he sell cars, so he spent his summer breaks at the dealership, selling and taking on different responsibilities. After graduation, he still had his sights set on a Wall Street job, but his father suggested he try working in the finance department at the store instead.

“I began to see my father’s wisdom as I soon realized that working at the dealership was fun and came naturally to me,” he said. “I had built strong connections with colleagues and customers over the years and started understanding the business after serving in multiple roles. I decided to lean into that interest and haven’t looked back since.”

The business experienced tremendous growth over the years and today, the Walser Automotive Group encompasses more than 25 new car dealerships in Minnesota and Kansas, representing a broad spectrum of brands. Walser and his brother, Paul, purchased the auto group from their father in 2004 and continue to lead the family enterprise.

“I am forever grateful to my father for not starting his children off in the board room,” he said. “Over time, I was able to experience every department, always asking questions and being curious. And being the dealer’s kid fueled me even more to always work hard to prove myself.”

Walser has created a people-centered culture and constantly reevaluates how best to serve his team members, customers, and the community. He is dedicated to making the car-buying process quick and easy. He has also developed unique programs that benefit his employees, including up to 20 hours annually of paid volunteer time off, Driven to Give which allows employees pick organizations to receive donations from the Walser Foundation, the Driven to Succeed Scholarship which provides tuition support to the children of Walser employees pursuing post-secondary education, and tuition support for employees who are pursuing educational opportunities pertaining to their jobs.

The Walser Foundation, founded by Jack Walser in the 1990’s, supports educational initiatives in the communities the dealerships serve, specifically the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro in Minnesota and Wichita, Kansas. Each year, five percent of the company’s pre-tax earnings are donated to education and career-development programs in those areas.

“The Walser Foundation has made a significant impact locally,” he said. “In addition to grant-making and sponsorships, the foundation awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who make a difference in their community via civic engagement and volunteerism through the Driving a Stronger Community Scholarship.”

Another innovative Walser Foundation program is Shop for a Cause. During a designated month, the company donates $25 for each vehicle sold to a local nonprofit organization of the customer’s choice.

A few that have received donations recently include Angel Foundation which offers relief to cancer patients and their loved ones through financial assistance, education, and emotional support, The Lift Garage which provides low-cost car repair for people in need, Wayside Recovery Center which provides recovery services for women, and 23rd Veteran which aids veterans living with trauma.

“The ‘Walser’ name is on the back of hundreds of thousands of cars,” Walser said. “It’s something I’m proud of and motivates me to focus on providing the best customer service and making a difference in the community.”

Walser was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Scott Lambert, president of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association. Walser and his wife, Kathleen, have four children.