TIME Dealer Nominees Use Army Background for Store Success

Three nominees seized opportunities to enter the industry when dealerships came up for sale. And they have flourished ever since.

In the final 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 published these nominee profiles in advance of the winner being announced during the NADA Convention and Expo that runs this weekend in Las Vegas. Previous installments can be found here.

Michael Weseloh, dealer operator, Weseloh Chevrolet Co., Carlsbad, Calif.

“It is rewarding to participate in the phenomenal growth of a small, Main Street auto dealer into a regional dealership, serving many communities in an established auto park on a major interstate freeway,” Weseloh emphasized.

A 1971 graduate of University of San Diego High School, Weseloh went on to study business administration and economics at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif. He was on the academic dean’s list many times and was on the varsity rugby and crew teams. “In summers through high school and college, I worked many different jobs, including parts counter, lube rack, body shop metal man — even one summer in the business office,” he recollected.

After college, he entered the family business fulltime, joining Weseloh Chevrolet in 1975 as a service consultant, working his way up to general manager in 1988. Today, the company also owns Honda and Nissan dealerships in San Juan Capistrano and a Kia dealership in Carlsbad. “The family has been successful in the automobile business for almost 100 years,” he added. “I am a third-generation automobile dealer, and I have two sons (potential fourth-generation dealers!) currently working at the dealership.”

One of Weseloh’s most meaningful philanthropic endeavors is supporting the Oceanside Boys & Girls Club. He’s organized fundraisers, led committees and facilitated the building of an outdoor soccer court for the kids. He’s proud of the group’s Steak and Burger event, where children mix with celebrities and businessmen at a gala dinner. “The Club is in a tough part of town,” he pointed out. “How many lives have been steered in the right direction through the efforts of the Club? It’s very gratifying to know you have helped in some way.”

Another way he gives back is by serving on the boards of the Tri-City Hospital Foundation, MiraCosta College Foundation, Armed Services YMCA and Oceanside Jaycees. Weseloh also works with several associations for football officials.

Turner Whitson, dealer principal, Whitson-Morgan Motor Co., Clarksville, Ark.