Taylor Bentley Conner as its first female dealer principal in Howard Bentley Buick GMC’s history
Howard Bentley Buick GMC (a General Motors Company) announces Taylor Bentley Conner as its first female dealer principal in the company’s history. The Albertville, Alabama dealership with customers across the U.S. elevates Ms. Conner after serving as general manager since 2018 and recently pursuing application for Dealer Principal with General Motors, as her role at Howard Bentley Buick GMC evolved. As general manager, she has led the dealership to the number one General Motors dealership in sales across the state of Alabama, and number three across the Southeast region.
Women represent just over 21% of car dealership employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, 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, Tennessee four decades ago by NASA alumnus and small business entrepreneur, Howard Bentley. His son Wayne Bentley acquired the Albertville, Alabama dealership in 1988 serving as owner/operator and takes an owner/advisory role, while Taylor Bentley 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,” adds 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, Ms. Conner, pursued a marketing career in a big city, and brought that experience back to her small town of Albertville, Alabama 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 distinct commitment of providing service to exceed the customer’s expectation.
A true visionary with inherent skills and homegrown experience, Ms. 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 for the dealership 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 they serve.
A National Automobile Dealer Academy (NADA) 2015 graduate, Ms. Conner holds a Bachelor of Science in Management & Marketing from the University of Alabama and a Master of Business Education from Northwood University. In 2024, she joined the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank & Trust, the deposit market share leader in Marshall County with 11 locations across northern Alabama.