2025 TDOY Nominee
Brady Dolan
CEO of Dolan Lexus
Reno, Nevada
“I believe that our employees are the backbone of what we do, and their growth and happiness are of utmost importance to me. Our goal is to give team members the tools they need and empower them in every aspect of their jobs, which results in high levels of employee and customer satisfaction.”
Brady Dolan 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. Dolan was chosen to represent the Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
“I believe that our employees are the backbone of what we do, and their growth and happiness are of utmost importance to me,” nominee Dolan said. “Our goal is to give team members the tools they need and empower them in every aspect of their jobs, which results in high levels of employee and customer satisfaction.”
After graduating from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2008, Dolan returned to his family’s dealership group to launch his full-time automotive career. His father, Tom, who passed away in September, originally founded the Dolan Auto Group 40 years ago in Reno with a single Toyota store.
“I started working for my dad at a young age, cleaning the lot and washing cars,” he said. “The auto business has effectively been a part of my life since the beginning.” Dolan quickly got to work learning all aspects of the business and engaged in further management training with Toyota Motor Sales and NADA. He was named general manager of Dolan Toyota and the Dolan Auto Group in 2012.
Today, Dolan is chief operating officer of the company and runs the business with his brother, Ryan. Dolan Auto Group encompasses seven dealership locations in the Reno area, representing brands Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Toyota and Ram.
“I attribute my success to being part of a loving family,” he said. “My wonderful and supportive parents have been my rock, encouraging me while exemplifying hard work and tenacity. I am proud to carry my father’s legacy and take the business that he shepherded so flawlessly to exciting new heights.”
With an employee-first mentality, Dolan has instituted several programs that benefit his team. The Dolan Cares initiative provides support to employees in need, and the Women's Leadership Council empowers female leaders within the business through community and growth opportunities. He also offers paid time off for volunteer work, paid professional development training, and hosts many dealership events.
His employees clearly appreciate the culture he has created, as Dolan Auto Group was named three times as the number one large company in the Best Places to Work in Northern Nevada survey, conducted by an independent group that polls actual employees.
In the area of community service, Dolan Auto Group supported close to 70 organizations in 2023 alone with more on tap for 2024. “Our brand has become synonymous with giving due to our hard work in philanthropy over many years, and we could not be prouder,” Dolan said.
One organization that is close to his heart is the High Fives Foundation, which helps athletes and veterans that have experienced life-changing injuries get back to adventure sports. The group’s Military to the Mountain program introduces veterans and first responders to the healing effects of skiing and snowboarding. Dolan has hosted events for the organization at his Lexus dealership and sponsored golf tournaments.
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.”
Dolan was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Andrew MacKay, executive director of the Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association. Dolan and his wife, Katie, have one child.
