Heyward Allen Toyota

Happy Birthday to our very own John Bradford!

   
November 16, 2011 - Steve Middlebrooks, president of Heyward Allen Toyota Scion, has been nominated for the 2012 TIME Dealer of the Year Award for his Community Service and Industry Accomplishments.  

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry's most prestigious and highly coveted honors.  Recipients are among the nation's most sucessful auto dealers who must also demonstrate a long standing commitment to community service.  Middlebrooks was chosen to represent the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition - one of only 50 auto dealers, from 17,000 nationwide, nominated for the 43rd annual award.  The award is sponsored by TIME Magazine in association with Ally, and in cooperation with NADA.   As part of its support for the program, Ally will make charitable contributions to local community causes on behalf of all 50 nominated dealers across the United States.  In addition, the 2012 national TIME Dealer of the Year winner will receive a $10,000 contribution for a 501(c)(3) non profit organization of his or her choice. 

Middlebrooks was born and raised in the small farming community of Warwick, Georgia, and worked his way through college as a retail sales representative. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1973 with cum laude honors in four years. In his senior year, B. Heyward Allen, Sr. hired him to establish a Finance and Insurance department at Heyward Allen Motor Company.  "As the young, energetic new kid, I would welcome additional duties and responsibilities," Middlebrooks said, "which would lead to my promotion as General Sales Manager within four years."

In the area of community service, Middlebrooks finds it most rewarding to invest in the youth of his community.  Since 2004, his dealership has been the primary sponsor of the Oconee County High Schools After-Prom Night, a pro-active approcah to curbing reckless partying during that annual celebration.  Heyward Allen Toyota-Scion has donated either a mid-priced vehicle or cash as the grand prize for the drawing and the recipent must be present to win.  In the 2006/2007 school year, Heyward Allen contributed $1000 to the public, private and Christian schools in Clarke and Oconee Counties totaling $31,000.  He is also proud to donate toys to the underprivileged, spearhead food drives for the needy, and raise funds for homeless families.  Middlebrooks is currently on the board of directors of Athens First Bank, the University of Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chaplaincy Board and serving as the chairman of counsel on ministries at Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church.

Full Press Release available here. or here.

 
Toyota New Owner Celebration on November 1
Over 30 new Toyota Owners showed up last night to take learn from the experts how to:
- Optimize fuel economy
- Protect their investment with proper maintenance
- Make the most of technology and safety
Glenn Brewer, Service Manager, was on hand to answer all sorts of questions from, 'How do I get better mpg?' to 'What does that light mean?' 
They also had a great meal (Catered by Sonny's BBQ), and had a opportunity to win door prizes and service coupons!
Our next New Owner event will be in Spring 2012.  Watch your mail box for your invitation!

 
Congratulations James Montalvo!

Our very own James Montalvo placed 2nd in the district for his 2011 Toyota Tundra Walk-Around Presentation, during the district competition today in Macon, GA!  His Walk-Around Presentation will be posted to Toyota's Youtube channel later this week.  From 60 contenders, James was selected as one of 5 finalists for the district. Judging was based on Product Knowledge, Customer Needs, Professionalism and Personality.  We are very proud of his efforts!  Congratulations again James Montalvo!

Congratulations Anna Maria Fennell!

We're very proud to announce that our very own Anna Maria Fennell won the Toyota Professional Retail Outstanding Salesperson (PROS) Top 50 Award for the 2nd year in a row!  She ranked 26th in the entire South East Region.

Anna Maria has met the requirement for the TOYOTA PROS program every year running since 1997.  She made the Top 50 Sales Consultants list in 2009, with the rank of #43, and now again for 2010, with the rank of #26.  She has accumulated a vast amount of product knowledge over the years, which makes her a go-to resource for other team members.  She really does not like for people to make a big fuss about her sucess, but achieving this award (again!) is not something that we could keep quiet about.   Anna Maria is a very valuable asset to our customers, to this dealership and to TOYOTA.

About the Toyota PROS Award
Southeast Toyota, the world's largest independent distributor of Toyota and Scion, is committed to developing, recognizing, and rewarding top Sales Consultants throughout our region. As a result, Southeast Toyota launched the PROS program in 1994, and it is the only program of its type in the country. The PROS Program was specifically created to recongize  Sales Consultants' commitment to longevity at the dealership, dedication to customer service, commitment to continually expand knowledge about Toyota Products, and outstanding sales ability.

  
Congratulations to Steven Johnson from Athens GA!  He won a 32" LCD TV in our January Sweepstakes!

Congratulations to Kenneth Danson, from Bogart, GA, who won the 13 Piece Golf Set in our January Give-Away!  He came in to buy a car and left with a new set of Golf Clubs!