The nomination of Shawn Ball, dealer principal at L&S Toyota of Beckley in Beckley, West Virginia, for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced by TIME.

Ball was one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who was honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 25, 2025.

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Ball was chosen to represent the West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

“I am proud to say that I am a true product of the American dream, having turned adversity into opportunity and achieving success through determination and perseverance,” nominee Ball said.

And that dream began when he was a teenager working in a used car lot alongside his father in a small coal mining town in southern West Virginia. That’s where Ball, who earned a degree in business administration from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, in 1995, developed his passion for the auto industry.

“For nearly eight years, I immersed myself in the business, learning as much as I could about every aspect,” he said. “I believed that one day, I would take over the family car lot. However, life had other plans.”

Ball’s father was diagnosed with cancer in 1993, and despite his determination to beat the disease, he passed away in 1995. His family was forced to close the business at that time.

“Two weeks before my father passed away, he expressed his concern about my future,” he said. “I remember telling him that I wanted to stay in the car business and eventually own my own new car dealership. He was skeptical but I assured him not to worry. Little did he know that that conversation would become the driving force behind everything I accomplished in my career.”

Ball went on to work for another car dealership and later moved to an auto wholesaler, two jobs that he believes laid the groundwork for his success. By 2000, he secured a position in a Chevrolet store selling new cars and later became general manager of a Dodge dealership.

In 2002, he bought into the Toyota store in Beckley and became the sole owner 10 years later. He has since acquired Advantage Toyota in Barboursville, West Virginia, with his brother and added Ball Toyota of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia, to his portfolio. He is also a multiple recipient of the prestigious Toyota President’s Award, given to dealerships that excel in all aspects of their operations.

“Our acquisitions and successes have allowed me to build a strong presence in the industry and achieve goals I once only dreamed of reaching,” he said. “Looking back, I realize that even though my father passed away seven years before I purchased my first dealership, he unknowingly inspired me every step of the way.”

A passionate advocate for the retail automotive industry in his state, Ball is proud of his work for the West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association’s political action committee over the last five years.

“As a voice for our dealer community in West Virginia, I assist in the recruitment, education and the raising of funds for pro-business candidates and make it a priority to meet with legislators to support critical issues not just related to my profession but to the future success of my beloved state,” he said. “I have fought tirelessly for pro-growth initiatives so the citizens of the local communities I serve have a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

In the area of community service, Ball is a dedicated supporter of the United Way of Central West Virginia and the United Way of Southern West Virginia. He’s a major contributor and sponsor of United Way signature events.

“To date, I’ve donated more than $5 million,” he said. “These contributions support important initiatives in education, healthcare and financial stability through partnerships with nonprofit programs in 13 West Virginia counties.”

Working with the United Way and the Communities In Schools initiative of the West Virginia Department of Education, Ball launched a “virtual pantry” program in 2021, which provides direct financial support to school children in need.

“This program allows teachers to address students’ immediate needs without excessive bureaucracy or unnecessary stockpiling,” he said. “Funds are given directly to schools, enabling them to purchase essential supplies and meet local needs more effectively. I’ve donated more than $4.1 million, impacting nearly 250 schools and benefiting approximately 100,000 students.”

Ball is proud that he has created a culture of giving at his dealerships, accommodating employees who want to donate time to organizations that are important to them. His three children, too, have contributed by volunteering for United Way activities.

“My passion for children has driven me to seek impactful ways to support them,” he said. “Whether it’s providing scholarships, buying beds for kids in need or supplying necessities to address food insecurity, our donations have raised awareness and made a difference.”

Ball added, “And watching my own children carry on that legacy of service is also greatly rewarding.”

On Oct. 11, 2024, Gov. Justice awarded Ball with the highest honor a citizen of West Virginia can receive, the “Distinguished West Virginian” award.

“When people step up and they get really active in our communities, they become heroes in my book. This man is a hero in my book,” said Gov. Justice of Ball’s efforts.” Ball added, “I don’t like to give notoriety to myself or my businesses or my family for these things. We contribute to our local communities to help with the many struggles that exist for West Virginia families. That’s it; that’s the only reason I do this.”

Dealers were nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan selected one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists received $5,000 for their favorite charities and the winner received $10,000 to give to charity, donated by Ally.

In its 14th year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also recognized dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees were recognized on www.ally.com/go/tdoy, which highlighted the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.

“At TIME, our commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of automotive dealers remains as strong as ever,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award continues to celebrate those who not only excel in their profession but also make a meaningful impact in their communities. We are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”

Doug Timmerman, Ally president of Dealer Financial Services, said, “Auto dealers are the backbones of their communities, providing civic support and significant business leadership. Ally is proud to recognize the unwavering commitment these TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are living every day through their volunteerism, sponsorships and support of charitable causes. They are the epitome of community heroes, making important and positive impacts in the lives of the people they serve.”

Ball was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Jared Wyrick, president of the West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association. Ball and his wife, Angela, have three children.