DETROIT -

One nominee got into the auto business by responding to a newspaper ad. Two others followed in the footsteps of family members.

In the next group of profiles of nominees for TIME Dealer of the Year Award, these store executives all share what’s important to them — in and out of the showroom.

The awards program, which is produced in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association and sponsored by Ally Financial, aims to recognize the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service.

Auto Remarketing plans to publish these nominee profiles between now and when the winner is announced during the NADA Convention and Expo that runs Feb. 3 to 6 in Las Vegas.

Geoffrey Isringhausen, president and dealer principal, Isringhausen Imports Inc., Springfield, Ill.

Graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, Isringhausen began his automotive career in 1984 after working for a year in the field.  It was not what he expected, so he followed his brother, Rob, into selling pre-owned high-end European cars.  The original operation was in a rented metal storage building, which was able to hold 12-15 cars.  They would advertise in national publications and drive the cars back to their Springfield store.

From modest beginnings, the business turned around in 1985 when the brothers acquired a Saab new-car franchise and a new building. The business then flourished and opportunities came along to purchase new car franchises for BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

Today, their dedication to excellent customer service and continuous training has helped them grow in this demanding segment. “The most rewarding aspect is the relationships I have built with our many long-term employees. I truly care about each of them and know they care about Isringhausen Imports and me personally,” Isringhausen stated.

Their community outreach helps support more than 45 individual charitable and civic groups. Isringhausen also serves on the board of directors for Downtown Springfield and the Memorial Medical Center.  In 2010, he established the Isringhausen Foundation to park excess funds that are not allocated by the end of each year.  Isringhausen plans to let this grow over 10 years and donate the accumulated funds to a local faith-based organization that is meeting the needs of the underprivileged in his community.  “I feel my most important civic achievement is the reputation Isringhausen Imports has established as a generous and consistent supporter of charitable and non-profit organizations in our community,” Isringhausen stated.

Robert Johnson, chairman, RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Holdings, Little Rock, Ark.

“As the largest minority-owned automotive dealership group, it is rewarding to work with the management team we have in place,” Johnson insisted. “We continue to grow and expand our dealership base and have a great team with a solid reputation to execute and compete in the automotive industry.”

Johnson graduated in 1968 from the University of Illinois, where he earned a degree in social studies. He went on to study public administration and holds a master’s from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Following graduate school, he was press secretary for the Honorable Walter E. Fauntroy, Congressional delegate from the District of Columbia. Johnson later became vice- president of government relations for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, a trade association representing more than 1,500 cable television companies.

One of his most significant achievements was founding Black Entertainment Television (BET), the nation’s first and leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news, sports and public affairs programming for the African American audience. BET became the first African American-owned company publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2000, Johnson sold BET to Viacom and remained the CEO through 2005.

In 2008, Johnson founded RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive, which oversees 35 automotive franchises and three Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. His impressive leadership skills have given this business a strong foundation and have made him a sought-after contributor to media outlets such as CNBC. In 2007, he was named by USA Today as one of “The 25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Past 25 Years.”

Johnson serves on the boards of major U.S. companies, organizations and cultural institutions, including KB Home, Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Strayer Education, the National Basketball Association (NBA) Board of Governors, the Deutsche Bank’s Americas Advisory Board, The Business Council and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. He has also received numerous awards for his visionary ideas and leadership.

“It is always an honor to be recognized for the work and service we provide throughout the industry and to our customers,” Johnson said.

Marc Lacher, executive manager, Koeppel Nissan, Jackson Heights, N.Y.

“As a dealer, it’s great to be a part of our local economy and provide a safe and pleasant working environment for our employees,” Lacher highlighted. “It’s meaningful to support the very diverse community that makes up our customer base in every way we can.”

An attendee of Flushing High School in Flushing, N.Y., Lacher started selling cars from a gas station in 1965. He then worked for Volkswagen distributors in their retail operation, Queensboro Volkswagen, from 1970 to 1983. In 1983, he partnered with Howard and Daniel Koeppel to open a Nissan dealership in Queens, which was followed by Infiniti, Volkswagen, Mazda and Subaru stores. Today, Lacher’s son, daughter and son-in-law are active in all of the dealerships.

His customer-focused philosophy has made Koeppel Nissan a successful enterprise. “We are not going to sell any car to any person just for the sake of making a sale,” Lacher told the Queens Courier in 2010. “We want the cars we sell to fit the people that buy them. What we do not want is someone finding out that they cannot afford a car after they bought it.” And he realizes that loyal consumers are the backbone of his business. He added, “We are in the business of making customers for life. The last dollar is not always the defining factor. This is also true for our employees — we are sensitive to all issues of quality of life for our employees and their families.”

Lacher is also committed to improving the quality of life of people in his community — and around the world. He works with City Harvest to hold food drives every holiday season, collecting 2,000 pounds of provisions for the less fortunate. He has also sponsored and funded yearly missions to Ecuador for doctors to perform pediatric cleft palate surgeries. Lacher is involved with the Queens Center for Progress, which provides services for people with developmental disabilities, and is a supporter of the Lexington School for the Deaf and services for autistic children. His most meaningful and important civic achievement was receiving a Humanitarian Award from United Cerebral Palsy in 2008 for his work with the Queens Center for Progress.

Robert Lanphere Jr., president, Beaverton Honda, Beaverton, Ore.

Lanphere always knew that he would be working in the car business. After all, it was in his blood.  

Lanphere first started in the car business while he was in high school. He worked part-time at his father’s dealership washing and detailing cars.  After graduation, Lanphere went from department to department, learning every aspect of the dealership.

Today, Lanphere Enterprises includes dealerships representing Honda, Kia, Infiniti, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Toyota and Scion in Oregon and Washington.  Lanphere’s passion for the car business has also made him an advocate for the automotive industry.  “I have worked on bringing dealers together during this difficult economic time, improving the reputation of auto dealers and helping to focus on the positive impact that dealerships have in the community,” he noted.

And Beaverton Honda has had a tremendous positive influence on the local area, supporting civic programs including the Beaverton Beautification Project, Community Vision Process, Urban Renewal Planning, Leadership Beaverton, Beaverton Cares, Chamber of Commerce and Beaverton’s Old Town Merchant Association. He also donates cars for fundraising raffles and supports the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Breast Friends, Blue Butterfly Campaign, MS Walk for a Cure, American Cancer Society Walk, the Molly Thompson Memorial Fund, American Business Women’s Association and many more great causes.

Lanphere also received the 2011 Service to Beaverton Award, sponsored by the City of Beaverton and Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community. Each year, Beaverton Honda donates time and space to the Old Town Festival, the largest city celebration.  “Participating in our community is something I am proud of being recognized for,” Lanphere stated. “It is wonderful that our business is in a position to help our neighbors.”

Edward Lewis, dealer principal, Harrisonburg Nissan, Harrisonburg, Va.

Lewis was a successful retail salesman when he responded to a local newspaper ad for an open automobile sales position. The job ended up being a perfect fit for the lifelong car fanatic.

After accepting the sales position, Lewis quickly became the top-earning salesman month after month, and eventually he opened his own used car dealership.

Today, he is the owner of three successful dealerships in Virginia which sell a variety of brands, including Nissan, Subaru and Honda.  “I continue to be involved as dealer principal of all my dealerships,” Lewis mentioned. “However, I am most involved at Harrisonburg Nissan, Inc., where my dream came true.
Throughout his career, Lewis has contributed his time, expertise and resources to countless charities. He is a member of the Harrisonburg Lions Club, Harrisonburg Elks Club and Bradenton Beach Moose Club, supports national charities like the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics and Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as area universities and schools. He also sponsors numerous events and golf tournaments to raise money for local charities, including Valley Children’s Center, Valley Young Life and Wintergreen Nature Foundation.

Lewis also won an Outstanding Community Service Award for his donation of funds and vans to the Hope House Foundation, which provides support and independent living for disabled adults.

More nominee profiles can be found at allybizhero.com.