By Hanna Singh
One standout salesperson at Karl Malone Toyota of Ruston, was honored with the salesperson of the year award for 2024 this Wednesday.
Komona Lee, a passionate employee of the dealership, earned the title after surpassing all colleagues with an outstanding 140 vehicle sold in 2024. In honor of her commitment and dedication to her job, her team presented her with a “Sales Champion” award to celebrate her win.
Having worked at Karl Malone Toyota for nearly three years, Lee has become a valuable asset to the sales team. Her passion for her job and commitment to helping customers has made her a beloved member of the dealership. Lee shared what makes her job special to her, outside of just receiving a paycheck.
“I absolutely love my team, and I also love helping the people that come in. The commission is a bonus, but I love my job,” Lee said.
To surprise Lee, every employee of Karl Malone Toyota gathered in the lobby to give her the trophy and congratulate her for the major accomplishment. Lee was overcome with gratitude as her team showered her with love and support.
In 2023, Lee faced several personal challenges, including a medical scare and the end of a close relationship. She found herself in a difficult place, where her sales outcome was not reflective of her goals. Despite these struggles, she found strength in her team’s support, which led her to making a commitment to come back stronger in 2024.
“I didn’t get the chance to do as well and prove myself to these guys with everything that happened,” Lee said. “So, I made it a personal goal to come back in the following year and do better. So here we are.”
It’s no surprise that Lee felt so supported by her colleagues, as the dealership treats each other like family. The close-knit atmosphere at the establishment is an important part of the dealership’s success, and Lee has certainly made her mark in the Karl Malone family. General Sales Manager, Julie Martin, expressed her pride in having Lee on her team.
“We say we are family here, and she really is. When she is in the room, you know it, and you can feel that she cares. She can do anything,” Martin said. “With everything she’s been through, it could have broken her, but it didn’t. She stood up and fought. The sky is the limit for her.”
Her commitment to persevere and make her mark impressed many others at her workplace. When asked what made Lee so special and capable of this feat, General Manager Joel Benton shared this sentiment.
“Her heart. One word. Her.heart is what makes her special,” Benton said.
Lee’s sales achievement in 2024 shows that with a strong team, heart, and dedication, so much is possible. Her accomplishments not only reflect her individual skills but also of the culture of teamwork and support that defines the dealership. It is no doubt that with the continued grit shown last year, Lee will have a shining future at Karl Malone Toyota.
