Franchised dealers from a variety of backgrounds and market sizes constitute the 50 nominees for this year’s TIME Dealer of the Year Award, an honor now sponsored by Ally Financial.

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

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the nation’s communities, Ally plans to make a $60,000 contribution to local community causes, and the recipient of the 2012 TIME Dealer of the Year Award will receive $10,000 to donate to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of his or her choice, Ally highlighted.

Moreover, the 50 dealers nominated for the award will receive $1,000 to contribute to a qualified nonprofit organization as well.

Along with the award nominees, an announcement from NADA came about its press conference schedule for the Convention and Expo that runs Feb. 3 to 6 in Las Vegas. All press conferences last 45 minutes and will be held in rooms 233 and 235 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The press conference schedule can be found here.

So who are the 50 nominees? Ally rolled out a new addition this year — online profiles about each of the 50 dealer award nominees. They are contained within a special website produced by Ally.

Auto Remarketing plans to publish these profiles between now and when the winner is announced during the NADA Convention.

Here are just a few:

Jeffery Aiosa, President of Carriage House of New London, New London, Conn.

Jeffrey Aiosa is probably more comfortable under the hood of a car than he is at the wheel. As long as he can remember, he’s been a car guy. It started with a love for muscle cars and has led to him being the president of one of the country’s leading Mercedes-Benz dealerships and a champion of fellow dealers in the Nutmeg State.

While still in high school, Aiosa got a job at one of the nation’s best-known speed shops, Motion Performance. Next, he attended the prestigious Denver Automobile and Diesel College where he graduated at the top of his class.

His class standing caught the attention of Mercedes-Benz, where he began working as a technician in New York City. His career accelerated, first on the dealership side, then with Mercedes-Benz USA, where he grew from regional roles into jobs at corporate headquarters in Montvale.

One day, a colleague told him about a dealership in New London, Conn., that was going into bankruptcy. After doing some research and securing funding through a partner, Aiosa soon became the youngest Mercedes-Benz dealer in the country.

Today, Carriage House of New London, has become a showcase store for Mercedes-Benz, having just moved to a new 40,000 square-foot location that is an Autohaus — brand compliant facility right down to the color of the paint on every wall.

But Aiosa is a car guy, which is precisely why he was the perfect champion for Connecticut’s dealers when faced with the grim reality of the recession. Working closely with a team of dealers, he was instrumental in getting the Connecticut Franchise Act rewritten to help the embattled industry. The bill was approved unanimously and an emergency transmittal was signed into law by the Governor within 24 hours of passage.

Aiosa was also part of national lobbying efforts on behalf of dealers through the NADA, meeting with President Obama’s Auto Czar at the U.S. Treasury.

Beyond the business, Aiosa has been instrumental in civic and charitable groups including the American Cancer Society, Eugene O’Neill Theater, and Lyman Allen Museum.

Blaise Alexander, president, Blaise Alexander Chevrolet Buick, Montoursville, Pa.

Some people have the car business in their blood and Blaise Alexander is the perfect example. As a young man, he put himself through college wholesaling for his father’s used car lot and later became the used-car manager for a Chevrolet dealership in State College, Pa.

Working for others wasn’t what Alexander had in mind, though. Above all else, he wanted to become a Chevrolet dealer. His boss told him that if he gave him 10 years, he’d help make it happen.

In 1980, Alexander sold and mortgaged everything he owned to buy a Chevrolet dealership in Montoursville, Pa. Today, 31 years later, Blaise oversees nine locations for the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships which sell six different nameplates.

On its own, it’s a compelling story, but there is a lot more to Alexander than selling cars. Early on, he learned the importance of giving back, helping out others and getting involved in the community.

Much of Alexander charitable efforts are focused on education, which makes sense for a man who financed his own way through college. In 2005, he established through the First Community Foundation Partnership the Anne L. “Annie” & Blaise Robert “BR” Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards yearly scholarships to high school seniors in the area.

Alexander is also a champion for children, hosting several benefits on his farm for Children’s Development Center of Williamsport that helps children with autism. He was also a major donor to the Lycoming YMCA — even donating the land it was built on.

Most recently, Alexander generously donated to the flood victims of Lycoming County after this summer’s torrential rains that wreaked havoc on the region.
In his eyes, there is no better testament to the value of his life’s hard work in the car business than being able to help others at times when it matters most.

Vollie (Vic) Bailey III, president, Vic Bailey Ford Lincoln, Spartanbug, S.C.

Spartanburg, S.C., is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, when it comes to civic involvement and a tradition in the car business, Vic Bailey is as legendary as the mountains to the West.

His career began in ninth grade in the wash rack of the family dealership. After college at The Citadel and law school at the Mississippi School of Law, he joined the family business in 1980.

Since then, Vic Bailey Lincoln Mercury has grown into Vic Bailey Automotive which includes three other venues in Spartanburg in addition to Vic Bailey Ford Lincoln: Vic Bailey Imports, Vic Bailey Honda and Vic Bailey Volkswagen.

As the leader of a storied Spartanburg business, Bailey is often called upon to lend a hand. His proudest moment was the year he led the United Way effort in town, raising more than $4.1 million. Bailey and his dedicated volunteer team shattered previous records for the organization’s annual campaign.

Bailey was also named Philanthropist of the Year by Spartanburg Community College in 1996, for a program made possible in part by Ford Motor Company that allows students to work and attend school at the same time, to be qualified automotive technicians.

In addition to these contributions, Bailey has served on a number of Boards in the community, including Piedmont Club, Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Spartanburg Day School.

A fixture in this picturesque community, Bailey has come a long way since the day they tossed him a rag in the wash rack of the dealership his dad started.

More nominee profiles can be found at allybizhero.com.