TIME recently announced the nominees for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award. The award, sponsored by Ally Financial, celebrates franchised new-car dealers for exceptional business performance and outstanding community service. Dealers are nominated by members of the Automotive Trade Association Executives.
A panel composed of faculty from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan chooses TIME Dealer of the Year finalists from each of the four NADA regions. The panel selects the national winner from the finalists. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 5, on the Main Stage at NADA Show 2026 in Las Vegas.
As the award’s exclusive sponsor, Ally will contribute $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Ally will also give $5,000 donations to each of the four regional finalists’ favorite charities, as well as contribute $10,000 to the charity selected by the national winner.
“Each nominee is carefully selected by local or state franchised dealer associations, highlighting their exceptional achievements and commitment to their communities," says Tom Castriota, 2025 NADA Chairman. "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to TIME and Ally for recognizing these exceptional dealers. They truly embody the finest qualities of our profession and serve as a shining inspiration for us all."
The 47 nominees for the 57th award are:
- Jonathan Allen, J. Allen Toyota (Gulfport, Miss.)
- Steve Beck, Beck Motor Company (Pierre, S.D.)
- Emily Marlow Beck, Marlow Motor Company (Front Royal, Va.)
- James Bernstein, Milton Ruben Chevrolet (Augusta, Ga.)
- James Buzzetta, Jr., Competition Subaru of Smithtown (Smithtown, Long Island, N.Y.)
- Nolan Campbell, Bell Motors, Inc. DBA Bell Ford (Arlington, Wis.)
- Robert M. Cavender, Cavender Buick GMC North (San Antonio, Texas)
- Jamie Cobb, Gwatney Buick GMC (North Little Rock, Ark.)
- Carla Cosenzi Zayac, Country Nissan (Hadley, Mass.)
- Rusty Drewing, Rusty Drewing Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (Jefferson City, Mo.)
- Lee Edwards, Edwards Chevrolet (Birmingham, Ala.)
- Ben Faricy, The Faricy Boys (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
- Johnny Wayne Farris, Farris Motor Company (Jefferson City, Tenn.)
- Martha Fato, Straub Honda (Triadelphia, W.Va.)
- Melanie Funkhouser, Fair Oaks Motors, Inc. (Chantilly, Va.)
- Anthony Gordon, Jarrett Gordon Ford (Davenport, Fla.)
- Everett Hellmuth, Passport BMW (Suitland, Md.)
- Matthew Helmkamp, Gates Chevy World (Mishawaka, Ind.)
- Mario Hernandez, Teton Toyota (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
- Marshall Jespersen, Dover Honda (Dover, Mass.)
- Kate Keith, Lundeen Brothers Ford of Annandale, Inc. (Annandale, Minn.)
- Alycia Kellum, Don Williamson Nissan (Jacksonville, N.C.)
- Stephen Kissee, Jack Kissee Ford (Claremore, Okla.)
- David Kull, Burns Honda (Marlton, N.J.)
- Bert Lindsay, Lindsay Honda (Columbus, Ohio)
- Mike Mahalak, Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram FIAT of Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.)
- Jim Marsh, Jim Marsh Kia (Las Vegas, Nev.)
- Bill McDaniels, McDaniels Acura (Columbia, S.C.)
- Thomas McMath, Arceneaux Ford, Inc. (New Iberia, La.)
- Steve Melloy, Advantage Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep Fiat (Farmington, N.M.)
- David Moore, Moore Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram (Hartford, Ky.)
- Michael Mullaney, Hudson Buick GMC Cadillac (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
- Russ Newby, Newby Buick GMC (St. George, Utah)
- Clint Newell, Clint Newell Toyota (Roseburg, Ore.)
- Tom Price, Price Family Dealerships (Larkspur, Calif.)
- Wade Rehbein, Rehbein Ford (Plains, Mont.)
- Duke Scott, Scott Honda of West Chester (West Chester, Pa.)
- Pat Shields, Shields Motor Co., Inc. (Chanute, Kan.)
- Alison Spitzer, Spitzer Auto World Amherst, Inc. (Amherst, Ohio)
- Todd Szott, Szott Ford (Holly, Mich.)
- Doug Weisz, Evergreen Subaru (Auburn, Maine)
- Dan Wilder Jr., Wilder Toyota (Port Angeles, Wash.)
- Rod Wilhelm, Don Wilhelm Inc. (Jamestown, N.D.)
- David Wright, Dave Wright Nissan Subaru (Hiawatha, Iowa)
- Rick Yemm, Yemm Automotive (Galesburg, Ill.)
- Anthony Young, Young Chevrolet Cadillac (Owosso, Mich.)
- Jason Zoellner, Zoellner Ford of Beatrice (Beatrice, Neb.)
NADA congratulates the 2026 nominees! To learn more about each of the nominees, their philanthropic contributions and achievements, visit www.timedealeroftheyear.com.
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