WHEREAS, Daniel Banister, owner of Banister Nissan in Chesapeake and Norfolk, is the Commonwealth's nominee for the Time magazine Dealer of the Year award in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Daniel "Dan" Banister was a standout high school athlete whose talents earned him a scholarship to the University of North Carolina in Charlotte and the opportunity to play National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball; and

WHEREAS, Dan Banister, whose career in the auto industry has spanned more than 20 years, got his start at Independence Nissan in Charlotte, where he learned everything he could about the dealership business; and

WHEREAS, with strong people skills, Dan Banister enjoyed sales success and quickly came to the notice of Nissan, which tapped him to turn around a failing dealership in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, building on his success, Dan Banister joined Victory Nissan in Chesapeake, where he quickly became well-known among residents through his "Dan the Man" commercials on television and radio; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, Dan Banister achieved his dream of owning his own dealership when he and a partner purchased Victory Nissan in Chesapeake; becoming one of only 15 African American owners of Nissan dealerships nationwide, he renamed the dealership Banister Nissan and added another dealership in Norfolk to his roster shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, an active and dedicated member of his community, Dan Banister has supported a wide array of causes for many years, becoming a well-recognized and respected advocate for numerous charitable events; and

WHEREAS, Dan Banister recently supported the Hampton Roads St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, a major fundraising effort for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, by donating a car to the event; and

WHEREAS, Dan Banister serves on the board of directors for several local organizations, including The Elder's House, which provides a safe and nurturing environment for at-risk youth, and The Chesapeake Forum, which brings dynamic and diverse speakers to the area to educate and inspire the community; and

WHEREAS, Dan Banister's leadership and support extends to the Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation, which he helps raise funds for new medical equipment, and the Chesapeake Public Library Foundation, which he assists by supporting various library programs; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated member of his industry, Dan Banister has served his customers and his community with a generous spirit and has been an example to other dealers throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Dan Banister has fostered his industry as an active member of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, which he served as a member of its board of directors, and as president of the Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association; and

WHEREAS, Dan Banister was appointed by Governor Terence R. McAuliffe to the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, where he serves with his fellow dealers to oversee the industry in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Daniel Banister, owner of Banister Nissan in Chesapeake and Norfolk, on his selection as the 2021 Time magazine Dealer of the Year award nominee for the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Daniel Banister as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his achievements and best wishes.