Ally and TIME Kick off 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year Season

DETROIT, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial announced that nominations are now open for the 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year program. Ally and TIME officially opened the nomination period for the 2017 award, encouraging nominations at the annual Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE) Summer Conference July 14-16 in Alberta, Canada. TIME Dealer of the Year is an annual program that aims to recognize and honor dealers around the country who make remarkable charitable contributions to their communities.

"Every year, the TIME Dealer of the Year nominees continue to amaze us with their tireless dedication to supporting their communities," said Tim Russi, president of auto finance at Ally. "In recognition of their commitment to giving back, Ally is proud to provide charitable grants to reinforce their local impact." 

The 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year winner and finalists will be selected by a panel composed of faculty from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. The panel will choose the finalists from each of the four National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) regions, and from those four finalists, the judges will then select the national winner.

ATAEs, who represent state and metro area dealer associations throughout the country, can begin the process of nominating outstanding dealers within their regions for the upcoming 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year award by visiting www.TIMEDealerOfTheYear.com.

Ally will recognize each TIME Dealer of the Year nominee with a $1,000 grant to the qualifying nonprofit organization of their choosing and will provide additional grants for the finalists and winner. In addition, the ATAE who nominates the winning 2017 dealer will also receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

"TIME is proud to partner with Ally once again in recognizing those outstanding dealers across the country," said Time Inc.'s Meredith Long. "We are looking forward to getting to know a new group of Dealer of the Year nominees and seeing the amazing efforts that so many dealers contribute to their communities."

"We are honored to continue to sponsor one of the automotive industry's most significant awards," said Andrea Riley, chief marketing officer at Ally. "The TIME Dealer of the Year award recognizes dealers who play an integral role in their communities, and we're excited to spotlight their inspirational efforts on a national stage."

Earlier this year, Mary Catherine (Kitty) Van Bortel, president of Van Bortel Motorcars in Victor, New York, was named the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year. She was nominated by Robert Vancavage, president of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association. Van Bortel donated all $11,000 of her award proceeds to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, NY. 

The 2017 award nominees will be announced in October and the winner will be named at the NADA Convention and Expo in New Orleans, being held January 26- 29, 2017.

About Ally Financial Inc.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial services company and a top 25 U.S. financial holding company offering financial products for consumers, businesses, automotive dealers and corporate clients. Ally's legacy dates back to 1919, and the company was redesigned in 2009 with a distinctive brand, innovative approach and relentless focus on its customers. Ally has an award-winning online bank (member FDIC), one of the largest full service auto finance operations in the country,  a complementary auto-focused insurance business, a growing digital wealth management and online brokerage platform, and a trusted corporate finance business offering capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.  

The company had approximately $156.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2016. For more information, visit the Ally press room at http://media.ally.com or follow Ally on Twitter: @Ally.

Contact:
Desirée Chavis
646-781-2544 
[email protected]

SOURCE Ally Financial