Gary Rome, president of Gary Rome Hyundai and Gary Rome Kia in Holyoke, Mass., was named the 2023 TIME Dealer of the Year at NADA Show 2023 in January. Just this week, award sponsor Ally hosted an event to honor Rome in his hometown.
Rome was selected as TIME’s 2023 Dealer of the Year from a field of 48 dealer nominees throughout the country. His philanthropic efforts along with his commitment to serve his customers, employees and community earned him the prestigious award, which is presented annually by TIME.
NADA Vice Chairman Gary Gilchrist also addressed Rome during the event: “I’m happy to be here to honor you today. Not only do you make your family, friends, community and state proud, you make the dealer body proud. The Dealer of the Year Award is the highest honor in our industry. Very few people are nominated, and even fewer achieve the award. It’s a reminder that people and communities are at the heart of our industry.”
Rome plays an active role in numerous groups and organizations in his community. He sells stuffed animal “Jack Rome” dog dolls at the dealership, donating the proceeds to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund. For his Drive Pink campaign, he donates $5 for every pink license plate frame installed on a car, raising money for breast cancer research. He was recently named eastern region board member for Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which raises funds for pediatric cancer research.
Rome is also actively involved in his community organizations, including the Holyoke Community College Foundation, the Greater Holyoke Chamber, Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, Holyoke High School Dean Campus, Children's Museum at Holyoke, and Homework House of Holyoke. He hosts events at his dealership locations, including fundraisers, pinewood derbies, cornhole tournaments, supply drives and farmers markets, all to benefit nonprofits and foster community engagement.
Jeff Jenkins, Ally senior vice president of the Northeast, presented donations to three of Rome’s selected charities, including:
- $5,500 to the Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center,
- $5,500 to the Homework House and
- $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Mass.
“As the owner of Gary Rome Auto Group, I receive many accolades, but it’s really our team that deserves the recognition,” Rome said at the event. “Our team who shows up to work each day and makes our dealerships not only the best doggone place to buy a car but also a great environment to work in.”
Learn more about the TIME Dealer of the Year here.
