Jack Salzman, co-owner of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Cornelius, has won the 2018 TIME Dealer of the Year award for North Carolina. He will vie for national honors at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s annual gathering in Las Vegas.

Sponsored by Ally Financial, the award focuses on community service and charitable giving. During a luncheon ceremony Monday, Ally presented a $1,000 donation to Hope House, a charity supported by Salzman and his wife Robin Salzman.

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious honors.

The Salzmans will represent the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition. The husband-wife team focuses their philanthropic attentions in three areas: Animals in need, children in need and women in need.

Among their charities are the Humane Society of Charlotte, The Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center in Statesville, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity.

“The most rewarding part of my retail automotive career has been hiring great people and investing in their future,” nominee Salzman said. “We pride ourselves on searching out quality employees and providing them with the tools and support they need to grow from entry-level jobs up to top management positions within the company.”

The Salzmans also own Gastonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.