The TIME Dealer of the Year program honors new-car dealers in America who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships and perform distinguished community service. Dealers are nominated by members of FADA and the winner is acknowledged during the opening business session of the NADA convention.
Nomination Requirements:
- Be a franchised new-car dealer
- Be a member of the NADA
- Be a member of a state dealer association and, if applicable, a local association
- Be the actual operating head of the dealership as designated in the franchise paragraph of the factory agreement, or the owner’s designated agent with full authority for business operations for a minimum of one year with recognition by the sponsoring dealer association as the dealership’s voting representative
- Have an ongoing presence in the dealership offices, actively managing the dealership
- Have at least a five-year record of active participation in affairs of the nominee’s state or local dealer association
- Agree to be available for participation in Dealer of the Year activity during the year following selection
Judging Criteria includes:
- Customer satisfaction
- Personnel competence, training, attitude and record of service
- Financial status
- Ethics
- New-car sales record
- Used-car sales record
- Service sales record
- Share of market
- Physical plant and facilities
- Dealer association participation
- Service to community and humanity
- Civic, political and educational activities
- Additional contributions to benefit others
PAST HONOREES
2026: Mike Mahalak
Mahalak Automotive Group
2024: Rita Case
(National Winner)
Rick Case Honda
2023: Tom O’Steen
O’Steen Automotive Group
2022: Ken Marks
West Coast Auto Group
2021: Erik Day
Warren Henry Auto Group
2020: Jonathan Chariff
South Motors
2019: Herb Yardley
Massey Yardley Jeep Chrysler Dodge
2018: Ted Serbousek
Ritchey Cadillac Buick GMC
2017: Sandy Sansing
Sandy Sansing Chevrolet
2016: Billie Nimnicht III
Nimnicht Chevrolet
2015: Dwayne Hawkins
Crown Jaguar
2014: Richard Dimmitt
Dimmitt Automotive Group
2013: Alan Wildstein
Alan Jay Automotive Group
2012: Frank DeLuca
DeLuca Toyota
2011: Tom Castriota
(National Winner)
Castriota Chevrolet
2009: Larry Morgan
Toyota of Tampa Bay
2008: Monroe Lee
Kia AutoSport
2007: Mario Murgado
Brickell Motors
2006: John Scanlon
Scanlon Lincoln
2005: Cindy Clark
Cindy Chevrolet
2004: Henry “Tip” Graham, Jr
Scott-McRae Automotive Group
2003: Carl Beck, Jr
Beck Auto Group
2002: George Nahas
(National Winner)
George Nahas Oldsmobile Inc.