Early Life:
Born January 7th, 1968 in Coral Gables, Florida, Alan Jay Wildstein started working at the family business, Tropical Chevrolet, at the age of 15. A few years later, Alan graduated from Northwood University and returned to Tropical Chevrolet as a Sales Manager, then General Manager. In 1992, Alan moved his family a little north to Sebring, Florida, and opened his first automotive dealership.
Career & Hobbies:
From that single store, Alan quickly began to acquire more local dealerships and franchises. Three more dealerships were then added in neighboring counties, bringing both the total number of dealerships and number of automotive brands into double-digits. In 2016, Alan expanded into high-line franchises, building and opening the Maserati Alfa Romeo of St. Petersburg dealership. In early 2018, Alan became the first exclusive distributor of Orange County Choppers, adding even more to the St. Petersburg store. During the summer of 2018, Alan purchased his first dealership outside the state of Florida, Kia of Canton (MI). Within a year, Alan also added three nearby Nissan Michigan dealerships in Canton, Dearborn and Macomb. When his father retired from the business, Alan and his brothers also gained a partial interest in Tropical Chevrolet, with the network providing the administrative and accounting functions. In addition to his strong presence in the automotive industry, Alan is also a partner or owner of various restaurants, and other businesses. In his admittedly rare spare time, Alan greatly enjoys carving out some time for unique travel experiences with his family.
Excellence in the Community:
From his very first day in business, Alan has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to serve and share his success with the community in which he and his team work, live and play. Personally, Alan has been recognized for nearly 20 consecutive years as an Alexis de Tocqueville Society member of the United Way of Central Florida, honored even further as the United Way's 2018 Philanthropist of the Year.
Alan has also created numerous key partnerships and programs in the community that have a longstanding history. Alan and the automotive network have served as Business Partners with Fred Wild Elementary School for over 25 years, providing year-round support for the school and ensuring that the hundreds of students and staff receive holiday gifts each year. Through 2021, the Alan Jay Automotive Network has awarded 89 vehicles to graduating seniors through its immensely popular "Wheels For A's" program at five area high schools. The network has sponsored and helped build 18 Habitat for Humanity Homes throughout Highlands County. The Alan Jay / Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for prospective students to reach their educational goals.
His large endowment to South Florida State College has resulted in the naming of the Alan Jay Wildstein Performing Arts Theater. In 2017, Mr. Wildstein also began a long partnership with the famed Sebring International Raceway, home of the annual 12 Hours of Sebring international automobile race. Alan has also entered into multi-year sponsorships with the Sebring Firemen and Sebring Touchdown Club, two organizations dedicated to promoting excellence in high school athletics. Alan also partnered with Orange County Choppers to raffle a custom OCC - built motorcycle, raising much-needed funds for the local Salvation Army just months after the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma.
The list is endless, as the Alan Jay Automotive Network has long been regarded as one of the region's largest community partners, sponsoring and donating to hundreds and hundreds of organizations, events and individuals every year soaring and donating to hundreds and hundreds of organizations, events and individuals every year.
Achievements / Recognitions:
Over his 30 years in business, Alan has been recognized for dozens of awards. The Alan Jay Automotive Network has been recognized as Business of the Year three different times by the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce and Highlands County Economic Development Commission, with Alan personally winning Citizen of the Year honors in 2017 as well as Highlands County Philanthropist of the Year in 2020. One of Alan's greatest achievements to date is being honored as one of only six Ford dealers globally to win the 2017 Salute to Dealers recognition, selected and presented by the Ford family themselves. Alan has also been honored twice as a nominee nationwide for the Time Dealer of the Year award. Alan Jay Wildstein currently serves as a director and Past Chairman of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association.
Awards / Accolades
1996 - SAM WALTON - WALMART - Business Leadership Award - Alan Jay Wildstein, Pres.
2001 - TIME MAGAZINE QUALITY DEALER AWARD
2001 - INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR AWARD
2001 - GREATER SEBRING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - "I Believe in Children Award"
2001 - UNITED WAY - "Spirit of the Family Award" for the most family friendly
2002 - FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION - Retailer of the Year
2003 - AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE/MOTOR TREND/AIADA - Dealer of the Year Award
2004 - JUDGE CLIFTON KELLY, CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AWARD
2008 - FLORIDA EDUCATION FOUNDATION - "Shining Star Award"
2009 - SOUTH FLORIDA'S FINEST COUPLES CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION
2012 - TIME MAGAZINE AND ALLY FINANCIAL - "Dealer of The Year" Finalist
2014 - NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY - Dealer Education Award
2014 - SEBRING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
2015 - SOUTH FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE - renamed the Theater from Performing Arts to "Alan Jay Wildstein Center for Performing Arts"
2017 - Ford Salute To Dealers Honoree
2018 - Sebring Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of The Year"
2018 - United Way of Central Florida "Philanthropist of The Year"
2020 - Highlands News-Sun: Highlands County "Philanthropist of the Year"
Thru 2023 - United Way of Central Florida "Top Ten Private Companies in Central Florida"