Black History Month is a time to honor the rich legacy, leadership, and excellence of Black Americans whose contributions have helped shape our nation’s history. In the automotive retail industry, an industry built on movement, innovation, and opportunity, there are Black dealer principals whose journeys reflect the very spirit of resilience, progress, and purpose. This is one of those stories.
Anthony Brownlee started his career in the late 1990s as a salesperson at Saturn of Cerritos in Southern California. A love for cars, a passion for selling, and a genuine love for people was the draw. That combination would become the foundation of a career defined by growth, stamina, and service.
After his work with Saturn, he was then hired as a finance and sales manager with a family-owned dealership group in Orange County, California, which was later acquired by a British company Pendragon PLC, where he served in 2001, initially as a sales and finance manager before being promoted to general manager in 2005.
Starting from the ground up proved invaluable. Learning nearly every aspect of the business gave him not only operational knowledge, but perspective. In 2006, he joined Lithia Motors and relocated to Denver to manage a Volkswagen store and later multiple stores in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Spokane, Washington. By 2012, he partnered with Kuni Automotive to operate two Land Rover stores in Denver, an entrepreneurial jump that would prove both strategic and legacy-building. In 2018, he took another defining step forward, launching Brownlee Automotive, a motor vehicle and powersports retail group headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado.
In January of 2024, Brownlee was tapped to assume the role of Chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA), a position he saw not as a title, but as a responsibility. AIADA’s long history of fighting for fairness deeply resonated with him. He notes that the auto industry has been good to him and his family, and having served as chairman was one way he could help ensure import auto dealers continue to be recognized as a vital, healthy part of the American economy.
De-politicizing issues facing the auto industry was one of Brownlee’s priorities as chair. He believes today, as he did then, that transportation transcends party lines and that it’s
our love of freedom that unites us.
That unity is increasingly important as dealers navigate a fast-moving and unpredictable legislative environment. From tariffs to direct-to-consumer sales models, challenges evolve almost daily. Staying prepared for the unknown has become essential, but for dealers, adaptability is nothing new. It’s what they do every day to keep their businesses, employees, and customers moving forward.
Brownlee says variety is what keeps him energized and that no two days are the same. Helping customers solve real problems is deeply rewarding, and as an employer, nothing compares to watching employees grow and advance.
Today, Brownlee Automotive operates Toyota, Chevrolet and GMC franchises in Powell Wyoming as well as Honda, Can-Am and Ski-Doo franchises in Sheridan Wyoming, communities that value authenticity, trust, and thoughtful service. He describes Wyoming as a place where relationships matter, and genuine care is not just appreciated, but expected. Brownlee’s Sheridan Powersports location was recently named Can-Am, ATV and SSV National Dealer of the year, recognized for its customer service, outstanding sales performance, and community engagement.
“Community engagement drives our purpose and is at the heart of everything we do,” he said. “Whether through local outreach or back-to-school backpack giveaways in partnership with the Toyota Lexus Minority-Owned Dealers Association, the goal is impact, not advertising. Helping people and uplifting communities is the point.”
To anyone starting out in auto retail, he offers advice that is practical and honest: Love people. Value transparency. Work hard (persistence and grit). Step outside your comfort zone and embrace learning every aspect of retail automotive. Being well-rounded opens multiple pathways for success.
When he is not working, Brownlee loves travel, photography, and technology.
This Black History Month, his story reminds us that progress is built through grit, hard work, integrity, service to others, and the courage to lead. In an industry about movement, Anthony Brownlee’s journey proves that purpose is the most powerful vehicle of all.
