Ally Financial Honors 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominees

DETROIT -- November 18, 2015: Ally Financial is pleased to announce that 50 U.S. auto dealers have been selected as nominees for the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year award. Now in its 47th year, this prestigious and highly coveted honor recognizes the nation's most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service.

These nominees are part of a select group of dealers from across the country that will be honored at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Expo in Las Vegas on April 1, 2016. The announcement of this year's nominees was made by Meredith Long, publisher, TIME, and Tim Russi, president of auto finance at Ally.

"The TIME Dealer of the Year award nominees are business leaders and pillars of their communities, who have each given generously to support important charitable causes," said Russi. "Ally is proud to honor these dealers, recognize their commitment to local communities, and share their stories of making a difference."

In its fifth year as exclusive sponsor, Ally will recognize the 2016 nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each dealer's 501(c)3 charity of choice. The nominees will also be highlighted on AllyDealerHeroes.com, which showcases the philanthropic contributions and achievements of auto dealers, and stories of their charitable outreach in local communities.

Including the 2016 charitable grants pledged to this group of nominees, Ally will have committed nearly $400,000 as part of the TIME Dealer of the Year program. In previous years, nominee grants have supported various local community organizations, including educational programs, cultural offerings, youth athletic leagues, and local nonprofits.

Past winners have included Andy Crews of AutoFair Honda in Manchester, N.H., Jeff Teague of Teague Auto Group in El Dorado, Ark., Michael Alford of Marine Chevrolet in Jacksonville, N.C. and Mike Shaw of Mike Shaw Automotive Group in Denver, Colo. Along with the help of Ally grant funds, these dealers have helped make a difference by ensuring local organizations can continue to serve their local communities - from providing supplies to a local Boys and Girls club, to ensuring students can participate in after school programs, or attend Scout camp.

For a list of all 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year nominees, click here.

To learn more about the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year nominees, click here.