News Summary
Jim Bernstein, owner of Milton Ruben Superstore, has been nominated for the prestigious Time Dealer of the Year Award. This recognition honors exceptional business achievements and significant community contributions in the automotive industry. Bernstein’s extensive community service, particularly during Hurricane Helene, and his leadership in expanding the dealership demonstrate his commitment to both professional excellence and community responsibility. He will represent the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association at the upcoming NADA Show, culminating the nomination.
Augusta, Georgia – Jim Bernstein, the owner of Milton Ruben Superstore, has received a prestigious nomination for the Time Dealer of the Year Award, one of the automotive industry’s most respected honors that acknowledges both exceptional business performance and significant community service contributions.
The Time Dealer of the Year Award celebrates individuals in the auto dealership sector who recognize the importance of community engagement. Bernstein, who has been at the helm of Milton Ruben Superstore since its establishment in 1996, is one of 47 dealer nominees chosen from over 20,000 auto dealers nationwide. He has been selected to represent the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association in this national recognition, which will culminate in a ceremony on February 5, 2026, at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, NV.
Bernstein’s nomination is particularly highlighted by his extensive community service efforts, notably his involvement in disaster relief for Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Under his leadership, the dealership played a critical role in the response by providing necessary supplies such as money, gas, diapers, food, and flashlights to those affected. This commitment to community service exemplifies the qualities that the Time Dealer of the Year Award seeks to recognize.
With over three decades of experience at Milton Ruben Superstore, Bernstein has cultivated a reputation for both professional excellence and community responsibility. His educational background includes degrees from the University of Michigan, Emory University, Wayne State University Law School, and participation in the Harvard Business School’s OPM Program. Prior to joining the family business, he worked as a Mergers & Acquisitions consultant at Price Waterhouse and practiced law.
Under Bernstein’s leadership, Milton Ruben Chevrolet has consistently achieved notable accolades, including being recognized as a CarFax Top Dealer from 2020 to 2025 and receiving the Cyber City Community Dealers Award from 2022 to 2025. He has also made significant investments in the dealership’s infrastructure, expanding the campus from 8 to nearly 18 acres and fostering a service-first culture focused on employee wellness. Among his initiatives, he has raised the minimum wage for employees and funded college tuition for team members, alongside maintaining full pay during the COVID-19 pandemic and operating a relief tent following Hurricane Helene.
As part of his strategic vision, Bernstein has introduced a new brand marketing platform, DriveBaby.com, enhancing the dealership’s engagement across digital and streaming channels. The recognition that follows the Time Dealer of the Year Award includes monetary donations to charities selected by award finalists, with the ultimate winner receiving additional funding for their chosen charity.
Nominees for the award are selected by executives from state and metro dealer associations, and a panel from the University of Michigan identifies the regional finalists. Bernstein’s nomination reflects not only his professional achievements in the automotive industry but also his unwavering commitment to community service.
Residing in Augusta, Georgia, Jim Bernstein lives with his wife, Amy, and their two children, Lily and Charles. His dedication to both his dealership and his community sets a compelling example of leadership in the automobile industry.
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- WRDW: Augusta Car Dealer Nominated for National Time Dealer of the Year Award
- Ally: Nominee – James Bernstein
- WRDW Video: Augusta Car Dealer Nominated
- Savannah Now: U.S. Auto Sales Loan Servicer to Pay Millions
- Automotive News: 50 Dealers Nominated for Time Magazine Award
- Wikipedia: Automotive Industry
- Google Search: Time Dealer of the Year
- Google Scholar: Time Dealer of the Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Automobile
- Google News: Automotive Industry
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