LAS VEGAS. (April 1, 2016) - Tom Bertolino, vice president of NorCal Kenworth, a multistore truck dealer in California, was named the 2016 Truck Dealer of the Year by the American Truck Dealers (ATD), Heavy Duty Trucking magazine and Procede Software.

Bertolino took center stage to receive the award at the 53rd annual ATD Convention & Expo in Las Vegas, which runs from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 3. Bertolino thanked his business partner, employees, ATD 20 Group and family-including his 85-year old father, Liberty Bertolino, who he called “my guide, spirit and mentor."

“What a tremendous honor to say the least,” Bertolino said. “We started this adventure 17 years ago in May. I want to also thank our customers, who continually challenge our team to offer the best transportation solutions.”

Bertolino also praised the other nominees:

• Runner-up Dennis Thompson, chairman and CEO of Thompson Truck & Trailer, Inc., with locations in Illinois and Iowa.
• Jerry Kocan, dealer principal of Four Star Freightliner, with locations in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
• Ron Meyering, president and dealer principal of M&K Truck Centers, with locations in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
• Tom Noerr, co-owner and vice president of Noerr's International, with locations in Pennsylvania.

All the nominees were selected by state, metro and national association leaders. A panel of professors from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business analyzed the nominees' dealership performances, industry leadership and civic contributions.

The 2016 ATD Convention & Expo ran concurrently with the NADA Convention. More than 25,000 new-car and -truck dealers and their managers, as well as dealers from over 30 countries, auto industry executives and exhibitor staff attended the convention in Las Vegas.

Founded in 1917, NADA will celebrate its 100-year anniversary during the 2017 NADA/ATD Convention & Expo in New Orleans, which will run from Jan. 26-29.

View the complete convention coverage