2025 TDOY Nominee

Wanda Howell 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. Howell was chosen to represent the Georgia 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.

“The most rewarding aspect of my automotive career has been the opportunity to inspire and elevate other women as leaders in this industry,” nominee Howell said. “Multigenerational women in dealerships are rare, and there were doubts about whether I could succeed in a male- dominated business. Yet, nearly 30 years later, I’ve not only survived but thrived.”

Howell earned an undergraduate degree in American studies from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia, in 1974. She also earned a master’s in business education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1983. Howell always had an interest in high-end fashion retail — but when her father, J.A. Cronic, needed a dealer successor, she took on the challenge and joined the family auto group in 1985.

After working in sales for two years, Howell advanced to Pontiac sales manager. Then in 1996, she was named dealer at Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. She assumed leadership of all the family dealerships when her father passed away in 2003.

“Taking on this responsibility without my father’s safety net meant more challenges and longer hours, but it also pushed me to grow as a leader,” she said.

Today, Howell oversees the Cronic Automotive Group which encompasses three dealerships in Griffin. These dealerships represent brands like Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, Ram, and Nissan.

“I owe much of my success to learning alongside my father, a WWII veteran who built his career from the ground up as a car dealer,” she said. “He taught me the importance of treating customers and employees with respect and instilled values that truly matter, both in business and in life. Since his passing, I’ve carried on his standards of excellence in running the dealerships.”

As a 28-year member of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association, Howell has served on the group’s board for the past five years. She has chaired the convention committee and participated in the governmental relations committee.

“I’ve made a significant impact through my leadership positions, contributing to legislative efforts and actively engaging the membership body,” she said. “As a legislative liaison, I advocate for dealer interests, frequently making calls to members to inform them of upcoming legislation that may impact their franchises.”

One of Howell’s most important civic contributions is her work for the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), which empowers businesswomen through leadership, education, networking, and recognition.

“Since taking over as scholarship committee chair in 1988, we’ve raised more than $150,000 to support local women attending college,” she said.

Howell also brought together three other women’s business groups to support nonprofits by founding Good Clean Fun, a dealership event that generates donations of laundry pods and funds for local groups that aid women in need.

The Griffin-Spalding County School System Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding public-school teachers, and Howell donates a year-long car lease to the honored educator.

Additionally, she is a huge supporter of the Salvation Army of Griffin, a group that plays a critical role in helping families in Spalding County. “Continuing a legacy started by my father, Cronic Automotive Group provides bell ringers for the Christmas Kettle drive and a complimentary vehicle for the organization to use during the campaign, plus we offer a major fiscal contribution.”

Howell also supports Toys for Tots, Young Life-Griffin (a Christian ministry that reaches out to young people), Griffin Spalding Historical Society, Dolly Goodpuppy Society (a canine rescue group), Wellstar Spalding Medical Center, Griffin/Spalding Chamber of Commerce, Southern Crescent Technical College, and many others.

Howell was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Lea Kirschner, president and CEO of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association. Howell and her husband, Lee, have three children.