DETROIT -

One nominee is the son of an Ellis Island immigrant. Another nominee is part of a family that’s operated a dealership for more than 100 years. Yet another took what some might consider a big leap — going to work with his father-in-law.

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.

Bruce Bendell, dealer, Major Chevrolet, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y.

New York is the big leagues. And in this town, Bruce Bendell went all the way from selling used cars during college to owning five dealerships throughout the N.Y./N.J./Pa. region. A major accomplishment for the man behind Major Chevrolet, but business is just part of his story.

The son of an Ellis Island immigrant who arrived in 1949 with no money in his pocket, Bendell knows the value of hard work. He graduated high school in Brooklyn and earned a degree at Queens College in 1975. His focus on used cars expanded to include fleet vehicles, specifically what seems to be the most common sights in the city: police cars and taxi cabs. As his success grew, he went back to the dealership where he bought his first used car and bought the entire store. Major Chevrolet was the springboard for his business.

As his success grew, so did his community involvement. Bendell was instrumental in raising money for the Long Island City YMCA. They hoped to construct a building to serve about 1,500 kids in the community. Today, more than 10,000 children flock to the facility for sports and activities.

Bendell is a leader in other communities as well, as a director of three Chambers of Commerce in Queens, the Bronx and Sunnyside. He is a director of the Queens College Foundation and Chairman of Unisphere, Inc. (since its inception in 2003) which was formed to expand park programs.  In addition, he was named by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve on the board of the Mayors Fund to Advance NYC.

He’s been named “Man of the Year” twice in two separate communities. Bendell has also been a fixture on Dealer Boards for three OEMs, and an advisor to key dealer partners.

However, Bendell’s proudest moment came in 1996 when he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. As the first-born member of his family in America, it’s no surprise that this award holds such a special place in this New Yorker’s wonderful life.

Marty Bratt, vice president, Garvin Motors, Inc., Powell, Wyo.

Perhaps one of the greatest achievements for a dealer is the simple joy of having time for his family and his community. For Marty Bratt of Garvin Motors in Powell, Wyo., that’s exactly what he envisioned when he joined his father-in-law in the business back in 1992.

Since then, Bratt and his wife Theresa have raised their three children in this small community in Wyoming. Over the years, he’s coached baseball and soccer teams, served as a Deacon at his church, volunteered at his kids’ schools and taught at the local community college. Bratt served as president of the Powell Chamber of Commerce where he was named Volunteer of the Year when he led a fundraising effort to support a new headquarters building for the organization.

Throughout his career, Bratt has been a champion of local businesses and is the guy you go to when you need a new vehicle. His Chevy, Buick, GMC and Toyota dealership is a pillar of the Powell community. “The most rewarding part of our business is the long-term relationship we have built with our customers,” Bratt declared.  “No one would hesitate to call me at home or stop by my house if they had a problem.”

Bratt’s greatest success is not an award, but the fact that he never missed one of his children’s games or performances. He believes that family is the most important dividend life can pay and his career in the auto business has given him that gift.

Charles Burton, dealer principal, I.G. Burton Co., Inc., Milford, Del.

When your family has been in the car business for more than 100 years, you learn a thing or two along the way. For Charles Burton, the things on which he prides his dealerships most is a tradition of keeping their word and treating customers and employees like members of the Burton family.

When Burton began his career, he started out in the financing business in Chicago. Apparently, the fresh water of the Great Lakes were no match for the Atlantic beaches and tidal marshes of Delaware, so, after three years he returned to his hometown of Milford and joined his dad at the dealership started by his grandfather.

It was a good move. Burton has since grown the I.G. Burton Chevrolet of Milford into multiple locations serving Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and Blue Bird buses. And at every location, you hear the same story: This is a great place to work.

For three years, the Burton family dealerships have been named a “Best Place to Work” by the local newspaper. This comes from Burton’s belief in creating an environment where employees are recognized, supported and rewarded.

A big supporter of his local community, Burton single largest line item growth last year was in contributions. Baseball teams, food banks, Boys and Girls Club, the University of Delaware, Chambers of Commerce and more all know they can count on Charles for support.

“In today’s troubling times, the needs of others are at an all-time high and the ability for people and companies to give is at an all-time low. I think it is our responsibility to help out,” Burton insisted.

This is a man of his word, so that’s exactly what Charles Burton has done.

Scott Deter, dealer principal, Deter Motor Co., Atlantic, Iowa

Scott Deter keeps it simple. His business style can be characterized as straightforward and is based on sound fundamentals. This is no surprise, given that he has an MBA from the University of Michigan, which he earned after graduating Tulane University. Deter thought about entering the corporate world, but some sage advice he received during an interview shortly after business school led him back to the family dealership in Atlantic, Iowa.

Like many in second-generation dealerships, Deter had been exposed to every area of the operation as a child growing up. From dusting off cars, to the lube shop to detailing, he learned the business from the bottom up. Perhaps this early exposure to his father’s employees guided him as he developed a management style based on mutual trust and respect.

Deter Motor Co. continues to be a positive force in the community and Deter strongly believes in the principles of community involvement. He encourages his employees to get involved in charitable and civic organizations. And he believes if their son or daughter has a game, the parent should be there. This flexible operating philosophy has engendered a collaborative team creating an atmosphere of trust and self-reliance.

As a business, Deter has been a linchpin of the community. He started the Atlantic-area Athena Foundation Chapter in 2001, and continues as the sole financial supporter of the organization that promotes leadership opportunities for women. He is a supporter of dozens of other charitable groups and has made significant contributions to new building funds for the Technology Center at Iowa Western Community College, Atlantic’s YMCA, the Cass County Community Center and Ann Wickman Child Development Center. Deter’s list of beneficiaries goes on to include numerous sports teams, relief funds and more.

In his eyes, Deter’s greatest achievement is providing well-paying jobs to his 29 employees and seeing their families grow.

Rocky DiChristofano, president, Volvo of Tucson, Tucson, Ariz.

“The most rewarding part of my automotive career has been the relationship I have working with my brother and partner, Mike,” DiChristofano highlighted. “Together we have been able to grow our businesses and thrive when many second-generation successors have not.”

A graduate of the University of Arizona, DiChristofano earned a degree in general business before joining the family automotive dealership in 1988. He originally began working at the store — then named Broadway Volvo — when he was just 10 years old, washing vehicles on the lot and working through high school as a parts driver, counter person and vehicle detailer. After college, he held positions in sales and was used-car manager before being named general manager when his father retired. His brother joined the business in 1992 after working in a public accounting firm and together they have added a Subaru dealership also in Tucson.

His great passion for family earned him the Tucson Father of the Year Award in 2006, which recognizes individuals of high integrity in the community who are also great dads. “I have been married for 21 years and my family is my most important obligation in life,” DiChristofano stressed. “I also like the fact that this particular recognition was completely outside the scope of my business success. It was a very special evening and I am very fortunate and proud to have received this award.”

In the area of community service, DiChristofano is a member of the Tucson Conquistadores, which supports youth athletics programs. The organization runs the Accenture Match Play Championship, a major golf tournament at the Ritz- Carlton, Dove Mountain Resort in Marana, Arizona. The event raises approximately $1 million per year for local children’s sports charities of all kinds, including The First Tee of Tucson. “Being a part of the Tucson Conquistadores has been very rewarding,” he says. “The money raised has really helped keep kids focused on sports and off the streets, as well as helped the community with facilities and outlets for children.”

Other charity initiatives include a golf tournament with Immaculate Heart School to benefit the Red Cross and victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and a fundraiser for the Immaculate Heart School from 2001 to 2005 at which he also served as co-chair person and MC.

More nominee profiles can be found at allybizhero.com.