2025 TDOY Nominee

Cathy Stender 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. Stender was chosen to represent the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56^th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

“When I transitioned into the automotive industry following the death of my husband, I knew I wanted to carry an empathetic approach into the dealership,” nominee Stender said. “I prioritized community engagement by partnering with local organizations, and customers began to see that we took our commitment far beyond the sale and were invested in the well-being of the community.”

Stender received a B.A. from Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, in 1977, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1982. After beginning her career as a social worker helping children and families, she stepped into the role of dealer in 2003 when her husband and the dealership’s founder, Woody Anderson, passed away.

“I heard the doubts and the subtle suggestions that the dealership wouldn’t survive under my watch,” she said. “Many assumed I’d sell the store and enjoy my ‘glory years,’ but there was a sense of responsibility inside me fueling a desire to continue my late husband’s legacy.”

Stender spent every waking hour at the store learning the intricacies of dealership operations and attended the NADA Academy to understand more about the industry. After a few stumbles, she found solid footing, and she began to feel comfortable in her new role.

“Gradually, the narrative shifted, and it was no longer referred to as Woody's dealership — it became my dealership,” she said. “While Woody had managed it with skill and precision, under my leadership, the business took on a new dimension, emphasizing empathy, stronger ties to the community, and a deep focus on building lasting customer relationships. The impact of these changes has been remarkable.”

Stender has received numerous awards from Ford for sales, customer satisfaction, and overall dealership excellence over the years. For her trailblazing achievements, Stender was inducted into the Ford Dealer Hall of Fame in 2022, the first woman to ever earn this honor.

“I was reminded of the challenges, the doubts, and the ultimate triumphs it took to be on that stage receiving the award,” she said. “What truly resonates with me is knowing that my journey as a female auto dealer paves the way for others, and perhaps provides a moment of hope that can instill a sense of possibility.”

Stender has served on numerous dealer councils for Ford and is an active member of the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama, where she was a board member from 2009 to 2013.

“My time on the board was a pivotal experience for me as both a dealer and a leader, especially as it occurred during the financial crisis,” she said. “We collaborated with other dealers, lending institutions, and policymakers to help stabilize our industry during this period of uncertainty.”

Part of Stender’s extensive community outreach includes her support of HATCH, a local nonprofit that empowers at-risk young people to live self-sufficient lives through culinary and hospitality training, as well as life skills workshops. She has donated the use of her dealership’s restaurant, closed during the pandemic, as a space for the organization to operate from. Stender’s commitment to opening her dealership’s doors to HATCH has impacted the lives of countless young adults.

“Our dealership has made significant investments in HATCH, but more importantly, we’ve shown these young adults that there are still people and businesses in the community willing to open their doors to them, even after so many have been closed,” she said

Stender is also proud of her partnership with the WEDC Foundation, a group that helps local women pursue higher education through mentoring, financial assistance, and professional development.

“We not only support this important nonprofit financially, but our female team members provide one-on-one mentorship to participants,” she said.

Other initiatives that Stender has supported include Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial where she chaired the capital campaign, Calhoun Community College, Drake State Community & Technical College, Madison County Schools, and Huntsville City Schools where she’s invested time and resources to support career tech programs, Free to Teach where the transits she donated have transported more than $3 million in school supplies to support high-quality education in her community, and many others.

“My commitment to social responsibility continues to guide our dealership's mission, ensuring that we not only succeed as a business but also uplift those around us,” Stender said.

Stender was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Thomas R. Dart, president of the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama. Stender’s husband is Bill Stender.