Forty Under 40: Tim M. Lewis

Tim M. Lewis, 39, has worked for his family’s business for the past 20 years.

Lewis, who grew up in Fayetteville, left college at the age of 19 to start working as a car salesman for Lewis Automotive Group. He is now co-president over sales and marketing.

“I’m the motivator of the business,” he says. “I have sales contests going all the time. It’s hard work. To my people, every day, I have a slogan: ‘Make it happen today. Make it happen every day.'”

Lewis Automotive Group (also known as Lewis Management Inc.) had more than $100 million in sales in 1998.

The company owns Lewis Ford (established in 1946) and Lewis Chrysler in Fayetteville; Springdale Ford, Budget Rent-A-Car and sales, U-Save Auto Sales and Lakeland Marine in Springdale; and Lewis Chrysler of Farmington.

Lewis says the Ford and Chrysler dealerships in Fayetteville are ranked No. 1 in Northwest Arkansas.

Lewis breeds and raises spotted saddle horses on his farm in Prairie Grove.

He is a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association and the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.

Lewis is also a board member for the development council for the Jones Center for Families in Springdale. He also serves as chairman of media and public relations for that committee.