#United States #Ally Financial #TIME Dealer #Dave Wright #Hiawatha

Dave Wright Named 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year

In a prestigious presentation held at the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, Dave Wright, the president of Dave Wright Nissan Subaru situated in Hiawatha, Iowa, has been recognized as the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year. This annual recognition, which celebrates remarkable accomplishments in the automotive industry and dedication to community services, has been awarded for the 57th consecutive year. Given Ally Financial's longstanding partnership in sponsoring the award, this marks the 15th year they have contributed to its promotion.

Dave Wright's selection comes as a testament to his commendable leadership qualities and a profound commitment to serving his community over the years. He has developed a workplace culture prioritizing both people and the surrounding community, earning his dealership accolades as one of the Best Dealerships to Work For as noted by Automotive News on 12 occasions. Notably, this makes the dealership the sole representative from Iowa and one of only three nationwide that have received this distinction.

Doug Timmerman, Ally's President of Dealer Financial Services, expressed his admiration for Wright, stating, "Dave and all nominees for the TIME Dealer of the Year award epitomize excellence in the automotive industry, community involvement, and team leadership. These dealers excel in fostering lasting achievements through their respective communities. Dave is a quintessential representation of these values."

Wright is not just invested in his business but also deeply involved in philanthropic activities. He supports various organizations including Goodwill of the Heartland, To The Rescue, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Corridor. His charitable contributions exceed $50,000 annually, helping to uplift children and elderly citizens within his region.

At the award ceremony, where all 47 nominees were honored, Jessica Sibley, the CEO of TIME, alongside Timmerman, announced Wright's victory. Wright was chosen among a competitive pool of over 20,000 franchised dealers throughout the United States. Sibley articulated the importance of such recognition, commenting, "At TIME, we proudly highlight automotive dealers who exemplify leadership, commitment to service, and excellence through the TIME Dealer of the Year award. This recognition strengthens communities and sets industry standards."

The selection of the TIME Dealer of the Year winner and finalists incorporates a judging panel from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. This panel assesses nominees from four distinct NADA regions, ultimately designating a national winner from among them.

In addition to Wright, the finalists for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year include:

• - Jamie Cobb from Buick GMC, North Little Rock, Arkansas
• - Mario Hernandez from Teton Toyota, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• - David Kull from Burns Honda, Marlton, New Jersey
• - Bert Lindsay from Lindsay Honda, Columbus, Ohio

As part of its ongoing commitment, Ally Financial, in its 15th year as the exclusive sponsor of this program, announced it would be providing grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organizations selected by nominees, finalists, and the winner. Ally has reportedly contributed nearly $1 million in donations associated with this initiative. This year, in acknowledgment of Wright's achievement, Ally will donate $10,000 to his chosen charity along with $5,000 earmarked for each finalist’s selected nonprofit organization. Additionally, they will contribute $1,000 each to charities recommended by every one of the 47 nominees.

For more information regarding the nominees, finalists, and award details, please visit Ally's Dealer Heroes.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a prominent financial services company featuring the nation's largest all-digital bank as well as a market-leading auto financing division. With a resolution to always "Do It Right," Ally aims to be a steadfast ally for customers and communities alike. Their services extend to deposits, securities brokerage, investment advisory, auto financing, and insurance offerings, in addition to a seasoned corporate finance segment catering to middle-market companies.

For further details and disclosures about Ally Financial, please visit their official website.

About TIME

TIME is a globally recognized media brand which engages an audience of over 120 million through its iconic magazines and digital content. It focuses on sharing essential narratives that shape societal development and addresses numerous channels ranging from news for kids to entertainment.