Howard Bentley Buick GMC named Taylor Conner its first female dealer principal. The Albertville, Ala., dealership with customers across the U.S. elevated Conner from the general manager role that she'd held since 2018. As general manager, she has led the dealership to the No. 1 General Motors dealership in sales in Alabama, and No. 3 in the Southeast.
“While female leadership in the automotive industry has not traditionally reflected today’s buying consumer, thanks to my father, mother, grandfather and grandmother for opening doors, paired with hard work and determination, I am so grateful to be in this role today,” Conner said. “In addition to leading an incredible team in continually growing Howard Bentley Buick GMC, I’m committed to furthering opportunities for women, including my own young daughter."
Women represent just over 21% of car dealership employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while a new S&P Global study shows women hold just 29% of management roles across all industries.
A third-generation, family-owned and operated dealership, Howard Bentley Buick GMC had its beginnings in Fayetteville, Tenn., four decades ago by NASA alumnus and small-business entrepreneur Howard Bentley. His son, Wayne Bentley, acquired the Albertville, Ala., dealership in 1988, serving as owner-operator, and he now takes an owner-advisory role while Conner moves into her new position as dealer principal and continues as acting general manager.
“My daughter, Taylor Bentley Conner, has brought innovative ideas into our dealership since she started working full-time in August 2013,” said Wayne Bentley. “These ideas and updated methods of doing business have truly reinvigorated our company’s path to growth over the last decade. I know her grandfather and grandmother would be exceedingly proud of her accomplishments as much as her mother and I. Taylor has truly embraced our company’s vision to take care of our employees, customers, and our community. I know our dealership is in good hands for the future, which gives me great satisfaction that our legacy will be carried on under Taylor’s leadership.
Growing up in the family business and holding various roles at the dealership, Conner, pursued a marketing career in a big city, and brought that experience back to her small town of Albertville to continue the legacy of her father and grandfather. Since then, she has devised and implemented bold productivity models that have expanded the dealership to customers across the nation while continually carrying over the family’s commitment of providing service to exceed the customer’s expectation.
Conner has led Howard Bentley Buick GMC to numerous recognitions, including being named Dealer of the Year by General Motors since 2015. Her leadership in sustaining growth includes elevating her small town through charitable giving, volunteerism and partnerships that reflect Howard Bentley’s core values of dedication, integrity, and cooperation in meeting the needs of the people it serves.
A National Automobile Dealer Academy 2015 graduate, Conner holds a bachelor's degree in management and marketing from the University of Alabama and a master's degree in business education from Northwood University. This year, she joined the board of directors of Citizens Bank & Trust.
