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.

To be considered, a nominee must:

• 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
• Have at least a five-year record of active participation in affairs of the nominee’s state or local dealer 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 a presence in the dealership offices, during at least 60% of business hours, actively managing the dealership
• Agree to be available for participation in Dealer of the Year activity during the year following selection