2025 TDOY Nominee

Michael Rouen 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. Rouen was chosen to represent the Ohio 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.

“Hiring great people has been a key component of my success,” nominee Rouen said. “I find it rewarding to see employees grow and prosper and even become small business owners themselves.” Rouen is a natural entrepreneur who started his first business at age 19. A 1971 graduate of St. Francis de Sales School in Toledo, Ohio, he borrowed $1,000 from his father to open a Union 76 (now known as 76) gas station in an industrial neighborhood.

“I used credit to stock the business and after two years, I accumulated a dozen fleet accounts, providing mechanical repair and fueling services,” he said. “I learned to perform most light mechanical service myself and with my staff, we provided a high level of customer service.”

When his father became ill and was unable to run his own business full-time, Rouen stepped in. At age 22, he became his dad’s partner in a franchise automotive aftermarket company called Ziebart, which he operated solely for 14 years after his father passed away.

“I ultimately had nine stores in three states,” he said. “My favorite customers were new car dealers, so when a client proposed that I buy his small Chrysler Plymouth store in Woodville in 1986, I seized the opportunity.”

Rouen later added a Dodge dealership and a Jeep store to his portfolio, then consolidated them all in Woodville and established Rouen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, which he owns with his business partner, Kevin Carnicom. His daughter, Nicole Hopkins, has been his marketing manager for 22 years.

“The dealership only sold 72 new and used vehicles a year when I acquired it,” he said. “Today, we sell more than 2,000 and consistently receive the highest customer satisfaction ratings.”

A board member for the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association and Toledo Automobile Dealers Association, Rouen has contributed to fundraising efforts, charity event management and lobbying on the state and national level.

“I feel it is important to get involved in these great associations to advocate for fellow dealers and strengthen the auto industry in our state,” he said.

In the area of community service, Rouen combined his auto industry connections and entrepreneurial skills to create a charity that is devoted to helping children. He co-founded Auto Dealers United for Kids (ADUK) with fellow Toledo auto dealers 20 years ago. The organization raises funds through a preview charity gala the night before the opening of the Toledo Auto Show, as well as from other donors.

“I have not been involved with a large number of civic organizations, but I certainly have helped to lead one big one,” he said. “ADUK has donated more than $2.5 million to children's charities since its inception.”

In addition, Rouen’s own dealership supports Catholic Club in uptown Toledo, Safe Kids Greater Toledo, YMCA Storer Camps, Children's Rights Collaborative of Northwest Ohio, Make-A-Wish, Partners in Education, Adopt America Network, First Tee-Lake Erie, Good Grief of Northwest Ohio and others.

“Helping other people is the most rewarding impact I have made,” he said. “This career has provided the means to enable me to contribute to an array of children's charities and make a difference.”

Rouen was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Zach Doran, president of the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association. Rouen and his wife, Gina, have two children.