The 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year does things the right way. Which is the Wright way.

Dave Wright, president of Dave Wright Nissan Subaru in Hiawatha, Iowa, was presented with the award Thursday during the NADA Show in Las Vegas, honoring “his remarkable leadership in the automotive industry and his longstanding dedication to community service,” award sponsor Ally Financial said in a news release.

The award, in its 57th year, is considered one of the auto industry’s highest honors.

“Dave and all of the TIME Dealer of the Year nominees stand out for their industry excellence, investing in the communities they serve and teams they lead,” Ally president of dealer financial services Doug Timmerman said. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award honors dealers who build lasting success by strengthening communities, and through his leadership and dedication to his team, Dave truly embodies these values.”

Wright was cited for creating a culture built around people and community impact. His dealership has been recognized 12 times as one of the Best Dealerships to Work For, one of just three dealerships nationwide to do so.

Wright also supports charitable organizations, including Goodwill of the Heartland, To The Rescue, the Boys and Girls Club of the Corridor, Heritage Area Agency on Aging and the Iowa Giving Crew. He helps support children, educators and seniors across the region through annual contributions exceeding $50,000 and ongoing program sponsorships.

“At TIME, we are proud to recognize automotive dealers who demonstrate excellence, leadership and a deep commitment to service through the TIME Dealer of the Year award,” said TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, who presented the award with Timmerman. “This award celebrates those whose work strengthens their communities and sets a standard for the industry, and we are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”

Wright was among 47 nominees selected from the approximately 20,000 franchised dealers in the U.S. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan, which also names four finalists, one from each of the National Automobile Dealers Association’s four regions.

The finalists were Jamie Cobb of Buick GMC in North Little Rock, Ark.; Mario Hernandez of Teton Toyota in Idaho Falls, Idaho; David Kull of Burns Honda in Marlton, N.J.; and Bert Lindsay of Lindsay Honda in Columbus, Ohio.

In recognition of their achievements, Ally will donate $10,000 to the charity of Wright’s choice, $5,000 to a nonprofit organization selected by each of the finalists and $1,000 to a charity selected by each of the nominees. Ally, in its 15th year as the exclusive sponsor, said its contributions in connection with the program total nearly $1 million.