TIME, Ally and the National Automobile Dealers Association presented the 52nd Anniversary of the prestigious TIME Dealer of the Year Award at the virtual NADA Show on Feb. 9, 2021.
The list included 40 dealers, of which five finalists were selected and one winner was announced: Rick DeSilva Jr., owner of Liberty Subaru (Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Genesis) in Emerson, New Jersey.
“I have to be honest — looking at the rest of the field this year, I did not prepare a speech because I tell you, what an impressive group of people and what an honour to be here and to be named Dealer of the Year,” said DeSilva Jr. “I really think that, as dealers, we have an opportunity to really do good in the world.”
“What an honour,” he added. “None of us do what we do for the recognition, that’s for sure, but it’s nice to be recognized by our peers, and congratulations to every one of the nominees this year.”
DeSilva Jr. is a second generation dealer and was dedicated to learning every aspect of his business when entering the sector. He entered management training programs that moved him across the country to learn everything about sales, operations, marketing, and customer service.
“He brings the same enthusiasm as first vice president of his community’s board of education,” said Viktoria Degtar, Global Chief Revenue Officer of TIME. “Over the past eight years, he has been involved in successfully negotiating labour contracts, hiring new superintendents, expanding bus service to an underserved area of town, and improved its facilities.”
Most recently, Degtar said DeSilva Jr. worked on plans that safely brought students and employees back to schools during the pandemic.
Outgoing NADA Chairman Rhett Ricart launched the late afternoon session, while Degtar and Doug Timmerman, President of Ally Auto Finance, announced the 2021 nominees. The award recognizes exceptional performance and outstanding community service new-car dealers across the United States, and is meant to honour their efforts to improve their communities.
The other finalists include Mike Molstead, Dealer Principal of Mike Molstead Motors in Charles City, Iowa; Christine Alicandro-Karnolt, Owner and Dealer Principal of Marty’s GMC Buick in Kingston, Massachusetts; Timothy Crenwelge, Dealer and General Manager of Crenwelge Motors in Kerrville, Texas; and Christina Dawkins, Owner, Co’s BMW Center in Loveland, Colorado.
The virtual 2021 NADA Show runs from Feb. 9-11, 2021.
