Tustin Mazda Honors John Patterson’s TIME Dealer of the Year Nomination

For our team at Tustin Mazda, John Patterson’s nomination for the 2027 TIME Dealer of the Year award carries special significance, and we are proud to share the press release below announcing this recognition. As our dealer principal and president of Patterson Autos, John has guided the dealership from its beginnings as Heritage Mazda to the Tustin Mazda our customers know today. Since acquiring the business in 2004, he has invested in our facility, supported lasting employee careers and helped strengthen connections throughout the Tustin community. His national nomination recognizes automotive accomplishments and longstanding community service, both reflected in his leadership of our dealership and his involvement with the Tustin Auto Center Dealer Association.

Key Takeaways

• John Patterson, Tustin Mazda’s dealer principal and president of Patterson Autos, is one of 48 nominees for the 2027 TIME Dealer of the Year award.
• John acquired Heritage Mazda in 2004, and the dealership became Tustin Mazda the following year.
• Under his ownership, Tustin Mazda has earned the Mazda President’s Award for 22 consecutive years—every year it has been eligible.
• His investment in the dealership included a complete facility rebuild in 2018 to Mazda Retail Image standards.
• Of Tustin Mazda’s 73 employees, 29 have worked at the dealership for more than a decade, reflecting John’s emphasis on supporting long-term careers.
• John has chaired the Tustin Auto Center Dealer Association since 2011. Patterson Autos contributes more than $30,000 annually to Tustin Unified schools as part of the association’s broader commitment.
• John will be honored alongside the other nominees at the NADA Show in Orlando on February 19, 2027.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIME Dealer of the Year
Brian Maas, President
California New Car Dealers Association

TIME AND ALLY FINANCIAL HONOR CALIFORNIA DEALER

John Patterson Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Accomplishments

(New York, NY, October 14, 2026) – The nomination of John Patterson, president of Patterson Autos and dealer principal of Tustin Mazda in Tustin, California, for the 2027 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced today by TIME.

Patterson is one of a select group of 48 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 110th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Orlando, FL on February 19, 2027.

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Patterson was chosen to represent the California New Car Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 48 auto dealers nominated for the 58th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

“This nomination is a reflection of the extraordinary people who have supported me throughout my career,” Patterson said. “My faith, family, mentors and team members have shaped the leader I am today. Success has never been an individual effort, and I am deeply honored to represent our employees, customers and community.”

Patterson earned degrees in economics and political science from the University of California, San Diego, in 1989 and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, in 1993.

He began his automotive career with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. in 1991 as an auditor. Toyota supported Patterson’s graduate education and later gave him the opportunity to move into field operations. During his decade with the company, he served in district parts, service, finance, insurance and sales positions across the Pacific Northwest, New England, Northeast and Rocky Mountain regions.

Patterson later advanced into regional leadership roles in customer relations, vehicle distribution, service, parts and sales. From 2001 to 2003, he held regional sales and executive management positions with DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi before becoming a dealer at the end of 2003.

“Working across different departments and markets gave me an unusually broad education in the automotive business,” Patterson said. “Every role, market, employee, dealer and customer taught me something different. The greatest lesson from that journey is that there is always more to learn, and that lesson continues to shape how I lead today.”

In 2004, Patterson acquired Heritage Mazda, which became Tustin Mazda the following year. He later expanded Patterson Autos with Huntington Beach Mazda in 2007, Tustin Hyundai in 2010, Mission Viejo Kia in 2021 and Tustin Kia in 2025.

Patterson is the sole owner of the dealerships and remains actively involved in guiding the organization’s growth, culture and community engagement.

“My approach to leadership begins with faith and service,” Patterson said. “I view the business as an opportunity to serve God, support our employees, care for our customers and strengthen our community. Recognizing that the business is not simply about me makes it easier to lead with humility and keep our purpose at the center of every decision.”

Tustin Mazda has undergone significant improvements during Patterson’s ownership. In 2010, the company invested approximately $1 million to convert a former Lincoln-Mercury facility into Tustin Mazda. In 2018, the existing facility was demolished and completely rebuilt to Mazda Retail Image standards through an investment of approximately $7 million.

The dealership has earned the Mazda President’s Award for 22 consecutive years – every year it has been eligible. Tustin Mazda is the only Mazda dealership in California to accomplish this distinction and one of only two dealerships nationwide to earn the recognition every eligible year.

The President’s Award recognizes Mazda dealerships that rank among the brand’s top performers in sales and customer experience.

“Winning the Mazda President’s Award every eligible year is a tremendous point of pride, but it is not something any individual can accomplish alone,” Patterson said. “It reflects the consistency, care and commitment our team members bring to work every day. Their dedication to our guests and to one another is what makes sustained excellence possible.”

Patterson Autos has also been recognized by the Orange County Register as a Top Workplace for 15 consecutive years. The honor is based on confidential employee feedback and is particularly meaningful to Patterson because of the company’s focus on employee retention and professional development.

While annual turnover in the automotive industry exceeds 40 percent, Patterson Autos consistently maintains turnover below 5 percent. Of the 73 employees at Tustin Mazda, 29 have worked at the dealership for more than a decade.

“We believe taking care of our guests starts with taking care of our people,” Patterson said. “When employees feel valued, supported and able to build a future with the organization, they create stronger relationships with customers and one another. Our retention and workplace recognition tell us that our culture is making a meaningful difference.”

The organization follows the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, encouraging employees to remain curious, support one another and continually raise the standard of performance and customer service.

Patterson credits his son, Connor, who works in automotive advertising outside of Patterson Autos, with encouraging him to remain curious, embrace technology and bring a technically inquisitive perspective to the automotive business.

Over the past 18 months, Patterson Autos has implemented AI-assisted service-call handling to reduce wait times and schedule appointments more efficiently. The company has also expanded its service-loaner fleets and developed technology that uses manufacturer vehicle data to identify service alerts and proactively contact customers.

The organization created an internal retail platform that combines desking, customer relationship management, vehicle appraisal and equity-mining capabilities. In 2025, it also transformed an existing body shop into a new Kia dealership in the Tustin Auto Center, expanding its sales and service capacity while creating additional employee career opportunities.

“Technology should make the automotive experience easier without sacrificing the personal service our customers value,” Patterson said. “We will continue investing in tools that improve convenience and efficiency while giving our employees more time to focus on the people who need their expertise.”

Patterson’s automotive leadership extends throughout Orange County and the industry. He has served on the board of the Tustin Auto Center Dealer Association since 2005 and as its chairman since 2011. He has also served as chairman of the Huntington Beach Auto Dealers Association, known as the Boulevard of Cars, since 2017.

His past leadership positions include president of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association, chairman