Dennis Sheets, owner of Sheets Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Beckley, was sworn in as 2025-26 WVADA Chairman during the 92nd Dealer Family Convention. Dennis grew up around the business and brings with him a lifetime of experience to the chairmanship.
Raised by a single mother, both Dennis and his brother, Gary, learned the value of a hard day’s work, setting goals and gained a great sense of determination from her example. When Dennis turned 14, he got a job at the dealership where his mother and brother worked. After school, you would find Dennis washing cars and taking care of the lot.
It’s safe to say that cars are a family affair.
Working alongside family was a blessing to Dennis in many ways. Both his mother and brother took the time to teach Dennis everything they knew about the industry. “I fell in love with the industry during that time,” Dennis said. It was then that he decided that one day he would own his own dealership.
Dennis worked hard and learned everything he could about the business, and at age 19, having just graduated from high school, he was promoted to a sales job at the dealership. This was a huge step forward toward his goal of ownership. From there, Dennis steadily rose through the ranks. He was the store’s youngest general manager and went on to oversee eight pre-owned locations in West Virginia for the dealership group.
In 2004, when Dennis turned 39, with encouragement and support from his wife, Cindy, he ventured out on his own. “After 24 years of working for the same dealer, I knew it was finally time to purchase my own dealership,” he recalled.
The example his mother set so many years earlier paid off as Dennis acquired a Chrysler Dodge franchise in Oak Hill. “I did it completely on my own with no assistance through careful planning and years of saving,” he said.
Following the Chrysler bankruptcy in 2009, Dennis moved to the larger Beckley market and added a Jeep franchise. “Chrysler gave me all of the territories based on my strong performance as a new young dealer,” he said. “Since I moved to Beckley, I have been improving month over month, as well as year over year.”
Having attained a high level of success, Dennis appreciates the many opportunities he was given to succeed, and, in turn, has dedicated himself to helping others do the same. He participates in the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S. (FCA US) Degrees @ Work program, enabling dealership employees and their immediate families to earn degrees from Strayer University — either online or in person — at no cost.
“Many of my employees do not have the ability to go to college, and this program provides them the opportunity to receive an education,” he said. “It is extremely rewarding to help my employees grow, learn and better their lives.”
His generosity doesn’t stop there. He gives back to the community he loves in a big way — everything from donating vehicles and other assistance to being involved with and supporting a lengthy list of charitable organizations.
Because of this, Dennis was West Virginia’s 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee, an honor given to auto dealers who aren’t just successful but who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service.
Dennis embodies everything that it means to be a dealer and a West Virginian — hardworking, driven and filled with a strong sense of family and community. We look forward to having him bring his strength and determination as chairman over the next year.
