Children’s Hospital, and he sits on its Leadership Council. “We have been fortunate enough to be able to pay it forward with our charitable efforts with WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital, which is more rewarding than words can describe.” He has also participated in the Taylor County Backpack Program, which provides nutritious meals for needy children. He supports literacy efforts, opioid prevention, youth sports camps, food drives and volunteers at the local food pantry, among many other philanthropic activities. “We are so happy to be able to give back to our community and hope to do so for decades to come,” he said. And he finds it rewarding that, at Toothman Ford, they can provide many well-paying jobs within the community. And those employees earn that pay. For example, several years ago, Toothman Ford fell victim to a massive hailstorm that caused about three million dollars in damages. But JR’s team came together to make lemonade out of lemons by selling 83 vehicles in one day! Now that’s teamwork. As for JR, he said his career is like an overnight success that took 25 years. “The scars and failures define us more than our successes,” he relayed. “And that is definitely true of me.” As for being a WVADA member, JR likes how the association goes to bat for the interests of the automotive sector in West Virginia, which employs so many people. As many families and communities rely on the automotive industry to keep food on the table and a roof overhead, WVADA allows dealers to find, have and use their voices. On a personal note, JR likes to fish, play guitar, watch sports, and spend time with his family. He says he was blessed with the two most amazing parents one could ask for, and for two older and wiser sisters. He also has two children – Jarrett and Bailey – grown-ups now, both of whom are phenomenal kids with amazing hearts, a great code of values, and “a giving nature molded into them at a very young age by their incredible mother.” Looking back at his career – and his life – JR holds to three essential truths: one, be humble. We can always learn and evolve; two, always be willing to adapt to meet and overcome adverse markets or conditions; and three, pay it all forward. If you are fortunate enough to attain some success, pay it forward to others and refresh them. Your new chairman looks forward to being engaged and helping the Association. Welcome aboard! Issue 3, 2022 11 WVADA
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