The nomination of Rick Yemm, dealer principal of Yemm Automotive, for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced today by TIME.
Yemm is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, NV, on February 5, 2026.
The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Yemm was chosen to represent the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
Rick Yemm leads Yemm Automotive, a third-generation, family-owned dealership group serving West Central Illinois with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands. Founded in 1961 as Weaver–Yemm Chevrolet, the business has grown under Yemm’s leadership from a single-point Chevrolet store to a multi-line campus operating in two adjacent facilities.
“My path to becoming Dealer Principal began in 1961, when my father and his business partner purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Galesburg, IL – the same dealership where they had worked as salesmen and managers,” Yemm explained. Rick got his start in the detail department during his high school years and, after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University, returned to work alongside his father, Dick. Over the years, he took on roles including Used Car Manager and General Manager. “In 1995,” he shares, “I was honored to step into the role of Dealer Principal and become a business partner with my father.”
Major facility investments include opening a new Chevrolet Buick GMC building in 2017, and in recent years, interior and exterior renovations to the Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram building- all designed to elevate guest experience and modernize employee workspaces.
Committed to exceptional hospitality, Yemm highlights, “Our mission begins with a deep commitment to the art of hospitality throughout every department. It all starts with cultivating a workplace culture that supports our employees, empowering them to thrive and grow”. He continues, “The greatest reward comes from reading the positive feedback our customers share – reviews that are circulated across the company to recognize and celebrate our team’s efforts. A great business plan means nothing without dedicated people behind it.”
An engaged industry leader, Yemm has contributed to the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association as a board member and executive committee member, including serving as chairman in 2021. His involvement has supported statewide advocacy efforts aimed at protecting and strengthening the dealership business model.
For more than 30 years, Rick has been actively involved in the local community, serving on many boards and contributing to various initiatives. He and his wife, Jamie, are strong advocates of the Galesburg Community Foundation. The Yemm family and their dealership also support numerous local events, from educational programs and charity walks to community fundraisers. “Yemm Automotive actively encourages our employees to get involved in volunteer efforts – we believe it’s a vital part of building stronger communities,” Rick added.
The Yemm team works closely with local schools to inspire and educate students about career paths in the automotive industry. For several years, the dealership has participated in an event hosted by Carl Sandburg College, where eighth-grade students explore career stations and engage with local employers and a panel of young professionals. At the high school level, the team regularly takes part in career fairs and trade shows. Now in its third year of partnership with the Galesburg Area Vocational Center, Yemm Automotive also welcomes students from the center’s automotive technology program for job shadowing and internship opportunities.
For Yemm, the most meaningful milestone is a personal one. “Without a doubt, the most rewarding moment was when my daughter, Sara, expressed her desire to join the family business,” he shared. “Her commitment, along with the dedication of our outstanding team, has helped Yemm Automotive grow into a third-generation, family-owned dealership – something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive $5,000 for their favorite charities and the winner will receive $10,000 to give to charity, donated by Ally.
In its 15th year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees will be recognized on AllyDealerHeroes.com, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.
“The TIME Dealer of the Year award honors automotive dealers who set the standard for excellence and community impact,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “Each year, we spotlight those whose dedication uplifts and inspires their communities. At TIME, we are proud to continue celebrating these extraordinary contributions in partnership with Ally.”
Doug Timmerman, President of Dealer Financial Services, Ally, said, “The TIME Dealer of the Year award honors those exceptional dealers who not only excel in their business endeavors but also demonstrate a profound commitment to uplifting their communities,” Timmerman said. “These nominees embody the spirit of leadership and service, making a lasting impact both in their dealerships and beyond.”
Yemm was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association. Rick and his wife, Jamie, have two children, Dr. Richard Yemm and Sara Yemm Witherell.
***Courtesy of TIME and Ally Financial Inc.***
