service before returning home to Gulfport to join the family business. “Car dealers are often the biggest small businesses in their communities — pillars of the local economy and culture,” Allen said. “For me, it’s always been about more than selling cars. It’s about investing in my community and making it stronger.” That philosophy became especially meaningful when Allen purchased the dealership from his late father’s estate. “I was young, short on resources and had just lost our longtime general manager,” he recalled. “But I felt a deep responsibility to provide a foundation where our team could continue to grow and build great lives for themselves and their families. We stuck together, and we made it happen.” Founded in 1987 as Bert Allen Toyota, J. Allen Toyota now employs 126 people. Under Allen’s leadership, the business has expanded to include Ford and Mazda franchises, while also investing in upgraded facilities, employee wellness initiatives and digital innovation. “I approach the business differently than my father and grandfather did,” Allen said. “Our job today isn’t just to run a dealership — it’s to create opportunities for our employees and customers and to build something that lasts.” A defining characteristic of Allen’s leadership style has been empowering others. “The single biggest risk I ever took was stepping back and turning day-to-day operations over to someone else,” he said. “I realized my job was to create opportunities for others to lead. That general manager is now my operational partner, and others from that original group are future partners. The risk was totally worth it.” Innovation has also played a central role in the dealership’s growth. After adding Ford and Mazda franchises in 2023, Allen expanded a mobile service operation that now completes more than 500 repair orders per month. “Meeting customers where they are is the future,” Allen noted. “Our goal is 1,000 mobile service orders a month — because flexibility, trust and convenience define modern automotive retail.” Community involvement has always been a cornerstone of Allen’s vision, particularly when it comes to supporting children and families. “Supporting local schools and youth sports has been a passion of mine,” he said. “I believe in giving kids the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves.” One of his proudest recent initiatives was bringing Project SEARCH to J. Allen Toyota, making the dealership the first automotive partner in the world to host the program. “The goal was to provide young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities real-life workplace experience,” Allen explained. “The measurable result was the successful graduation of two participants who are now productive members of our team. That kind of impact goes beyond business — it changes lives.” Allen’s civic leadership extends well beyond the dealership. He has served as president of the Rotary Club of Gulfport and as a board member of the Boy Scouts of America. He also chaired the American Heart Association Heart Walk and has sponsored countless youth sports leagues, food drives and charitable events. “Car dealers were once seen as larger-than-life community figures,” Allen reflected. “I want to carry that tradition forward — not for myself, but to show our employees, families and customers that a dealership can be a pillar of hope, pride and opportunity.” The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be one of Allen’s most defining leadership tests. “Our first priority was the health and safety of our associates,” he said. “We voluntarily closed for three weeks but continued to pay everyone and maintain benefits. We never laid anyone off.” During that time, Allen and his team redesigned operations to emphasize digital retailing, remote transactions and vehicle delivery. “We became experts at serving customers under entirely different circumstances,” he said. “That experience didn’t just get us through the crisis — it transformed us into a more flexible, resilient business.” “The TIME Dealer of the Year award honors automotive dealers who set the standard for excellence and community impact,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “Each year, we spotlight those whose dedication uplifts and inspires their communities.” Doug Timmerman, president of dealer financial services at Ally, added, “These nominees embody the spirit of leadership and service, making a lasting impact both in their dealerships and beyond.”
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