Darrell Wiseman, a legend in his time with Toyota, started the family owned and operated dealership, Danville Toyota, in 1984. Wiseman has won many awards and accolades during his over 45-year career with Toyota. His son, Ryan, and two daughters, Tracie and Teresa, are all actively working daily at the dealership now. Danville Toyota currently has 42 amazing employees who serve thousands of wonderful customers. The dealership feels that its employees and customers make up the Danville Toyota family. Without either, Danville Toyota would not be here.
Showcase sat down with Teresa Wiseman to learn a little more about Danville Toyota’s role in the community.
Showcase Magazine: What is Danville Toyota’s definition of community?
Teresa Wiseman: To us, the definition of community simply boils down to people. Our friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, competitors, and our customers all make up this community. It is our core beliefs and thoughts, and our ability to share them with each other. It is that desire in all of us to help one another when needed. It is the comradery you experience when you go to dinner and see friendly faces, and just know that you are truly home. So, really, the definition of community to Danville Toyota is home.
SM: What makes a community strong?
TW: We believe it is all about the people. When there is cohesion and a willingness to accept change; the community will be strong. For our area, there truly seems to be a genuine love and care for the wellbeing of one another, for all that live here, and at all stages of life. Our leaders have shown to be trustworthy, and truly have the betterment of our community at heart.
SM: Why is community involvement so important to Danville Toyota?
TW: We feel the prosperity of our community is extremely important for the wellbeing and happiness for all whom live in it. It provides hope. Twelve years ago, we had just broken ground on our current location when the economy completely crashed. We faced making the decision to keep building through the crash or pause until we got through the storm. We kept building, hoping it would be a symbol for our community that the storm would pass. We learned afterward how important to many people that one decision became because it provided hope for better days.
When 2020 happened, it was very similar. To maintain hope and an assurance that life would get back to normal, we continued to stay open and revolve our employees in and out for their safety. Probably one of the most amazing moments for us was being approached by many employees asking to come in every day. They just wanted to be here. That was a symbol to us that things would get to a new normal one day, and again, there was hope.
SM: What are some ways Danville Toyota has been involved in the community in 2022?
TW: In all honesty, we really do not put any bounds on our involvement. If we are approached by an organization, or even an idea that we may be able to assist in some way, we are going to do our hardest to try. This can include monetary donations, giveaway items for raffles, golf tournaments, working at events, advising on fund-raising events for others, and serving on various boards. Our community, and our involvement, is so important to us that we try not to put any limitations on what we do. Our only limits would be if it is affordable, and if it is feasible for us to help at that time.
Here are just a few of the organizations we have been involved with for 2022–the Danville Otterbots, God’s Pit Crew, Danville Cancer Association, Danville Concert Association, Boys & Girls Club, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Dan River Region Association of Realtors, Westover Christian Academy, Sacred Heart School, GWHS, Dan River High School, Chatham High School, Tunstall High School, Smokestack Theatre Company, and the Wendell Scott Foundation.
SM: How does Danville Toyota measure successful community involvement?
TW: We just do what we feel is right, and what we believe in. Supporting our home is what we believe in, so there is no measurement for that in our book.
SM: What makes the area so special to Danville Toyota?
TW: The people! The people here are so amazing, giving, caring, and resilient. If we think about what our community endured between Dan River Mills closing, the economic crash, and Covid, and then fast forward to look where we are going to be tomorrow–that truly shows a determination and a passion to keep this city surviving and prospering. We truly find the community of Danville to be inspirational, even in our personal lives. As long as you work hard and keep your heart filled with hope for the future; you can weather even the darkest storms of life.
SM: What are your visions for the future of our area?
TW: We are excited about the direction Danville is headed. We truly believe that even with all of our future growth, we will still keep the sense of community togetherness. We see Danville as becoming an exemplary community to the nation by showing the mentality of caring for one another. The staple of current local citizens who have a true passion for Danville, and the caring eagerness to make it better for all who live here, will lead the way.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.