Second-generation dealer Krystal Roberts has been named the winner of the 2025 Ally Sees Her Award.

The Ally Sees Her Award, presented by Ally Financial and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, recognizes significant achievements of women of color in automotive retail spaces and their work in their communities.

“This award reflects more than just me,” said Roberts, executive manager of Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins, Ill. “If I follow in my father’s footsteps, I will be a second-generation dealer and the third female African American GM dealer in the United States. This award recognizes both my hard work and the dedication my parents and community have for the industry.”

Krystal Roberts

Roberts has been with Advantage Auto Group for more than 22 years, the past eight in her current role. During her tenure, Advantage Chevrolet has been selected among the top 10 Chevy dealerships in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area and has risen to the top 10% of Illinois’ 147 Chevy stores in car and truck sales to earn a “superior” designation.

Since she took over the dealership’s top role, its sales have increased 20% to around 2,200 new and used vehicles each year.

In a news release, Ally said Roberts has “revolutionized benefits for her employees and created space for women to lead within her dealership.” Employee benefits now include extended lunch breaks for eligible employees and paid memberships to health clubs to encourage increased well-being and health.

She has also increased female representation to 25% of employees over the past five years.

“Krystal is more than deserving of this award,” Ally Central region senior vice president for auto Tammy Linkfield said. “She has defined herself as a standout in the industry by leading with significant impact, and Ally is proud to recognize her for being a role model for other women of color.”

Ally said the award includes a $10,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund’s Chicago chapter to celebrate Roberts’ leadership and community involvement.

Roberts has an MBA from DePaul University and is a graduate of the NADA Academy. She is the first female chair of the General Motors Commercial Dealer Advisory Board. She also and serves on the board of directors for the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and her local township’s board of trustees.

Healey Brothers grows in Hudson Valley

Healey Brothers’ already strong presence in the Hudson Valley has grown even stronger with its acquisition of Unity Chevrolet in Newburgh, N.Y.

The dealership, which has been renamed Healey Brothers Chevrolet Cadillac, is the 10th in the region for the dealership group, which said the acquisition allows it to add Cadillac vehicles to its offerings.

“This acquisition is grounded in Healey Brothers’ commitment to provide exceptional vehicles and supreme service close to home, no matter where you live in Orange and Dutchess counties,” chief marketing officer Jay Healey said. “The addition of premium Cadillac vehicles also expands choices for our valued customers, who now can turn to Healey Brothers across the region for Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, RAM, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Lincoln and Mitsubishi.”

Healey Brothers said general manager Dylan Healey will remain in that role.

“For more than four decades, Healey Brothers’ foundational values have been rooted in the highest quality customer service,” he said, “including superb, smooth, timely and convenient experiences when purchasing or servicing a vehicle.

“I am super excited to lead the transformation and embrace of our esteemed Team Healey culture at Healey Brothers Chevrolet Cadillac.”

Healey Brothers executive general manager John Koerner noted the group, which has been operating in the Hudson Valley for 45 years, has been actively upgrading its dealerships’ facilities in recent years, including recent moves by Ford, Mitsubishi, Lincoln and Hyundai stores to new buildings in recent years.

Dimmitt to open new powersports dealership

Dimmitt Automotive Group is almost ready to open its latest powersports dealership.

The fourth-generation dealership group, which has served Tampa Bay area since 1924, said it expects Village Powersports in Homosassa, Fla., to open early in the fourth quarter of this year.

The new dealership will be located next to the Dimmit-owned Village Toyota.

“Village Powersports represents a natural extension of our mission to deliver exceptional lifestyle experiences to our clients,” Dimmitt CEO Scott Larguier said. “By bringing the world’s leading powersports brands together in a state-of-the-art facility, we’re able to provide Citrus County and the surrounding communities with the same legendary customer service our clients have come to expect from the Dimmitt name.”

Village Powersports will feature products from Bombardier Recreational Products and Kawasaki, including Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides and personal watercraft, and Can-Am off-road vehicles, the Defender, Commander and Maverick.

The new store will join Cycle Springs Powersports in Clearwater, Fla., among Dimmit’s powersports outlets. The company operates seven automotive dealerships in Florida. Dimmit said Cycle Springs is one of the world’s largest jet boat and personal watercraft dealerships.