Every year, IADA members submit recommendations for a dealer to be Iowa’s Dealer of the Year and nominee for the TIME Dealer of the Year award.
Two Iowans, Warren McEleney (1977) and Charlie Zook (1999), have won the prestigious TIME Dealer of the Year Award, and ten Iowa dealers have been named as finalists: Cyle Murray (1960), Ray Lauterbach (1972), Marvin Hartwig (1975), W. H. Perdock (1982), Edmund Elbert (1983), John Falb (1985), Chuck Betts (1991), Pete Pohlman (1993), Rich Willis (2006), and Mike Molstead (2021).
Iowa’s TIME Dealer of the Year Nominees
2023
Dan Deery, Dan Deery Motor Co., Waterloo
2022
Pat McGrath, McGrath Family of Dealerships, Cedar Rapids
2021
NATIONAL FINALIST
Mike Molstead, Mike Molstead Motors Inc., Charles City
2020
Rich Willis, Willis Automotive, Clive
2019
Pat Clemons, Pat Clemons Inc., Boone
2018
Dave Edwards, Edwards Auto Group, Council Bluffs
2017
Carl Moyer, Karl Chevrolet, Ankeny
2016
Ken Kemna, Kemna Auto Center, Algona
2015
Jack Scieszinski, Albia Motor Co., Albia
2014
Brad Deery, Deery Brothers, West Burlington
2013
John McEleney, McEleney Chevrolet-Buick-GMC-Toyota, Clinton
2012
Scott Deter, Deter Motor Co., Atlantic
2011
Bill Colwell, Bill Colwell Ford, Hudson
2010
Paul Stueland, Stueland Auto Center, Tipton
2009
Chris Moffitt, Moffitt’s Ford Lincoln, Boone
2008
Casey Johnson, Fort Dodge For Lincoln Toyota, Fort Dodge
2007
Dale Howard, Dale Howard Inc., Iowa Falls
2006
NATIONAL FINALIST
Rich Willis, Willis Auto Campus, Clive
2005
Stew Hansen, Stew Hansen’s Dodge City, Des Moines
2004
Mark Birdnow, Birdnow Chevrolet, Jesup
2003
William Jensen, Crescent Chevrolet Inc., Des Moines
2002
John Schroeder, Bloomfield Ford Inc., Bloomfield
2001
John Deery, Sr., Dan Deery Motor Co., Cedar Falls
2000
Charles Gabus, Charles Gabus Ford Inc., Des Moines
1999
NATIONAL WINNER
Charlie Zook, Charlie Zook Motors, Sioux City
1998
John Keady, John Keady Inc., Davenport
1997
Harry McMullen, McMullen Ford Inc., Council Bluffs
1996
Allen Chapman, Allen Motor Co., Hiawatha
1995
Dan Kruse, Dan Kruse Pontiac Inc., Dubuque
1994
Stan Moffitt, Moffitt’s Inc., Boone
1993
NATIONAL FINALIST
Pete Pohlman, Lujack Auto Plaza, Davenport
1992
Wes Finch, Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Grinnell
1991
NATIONAL FINALIST
Chuck Betts, Betts Cadillac Inc., Des Moines
1990
Bill Fletcher, Rapids Chevrolet, Cedar Rapids
1989
Leon Vaughn, Vaughn Automotive, Ottumwa
1988
Bob Axtell, Sr., Axtell Ford-Chrysler, Newton
1987
Orv Roecker, Orv Roecker Ford Inc., Harlan
1986
Dave Ostrem, Dave Ostrem Imports, Des Moines
1985
NATIONAL FINALIST
John Falb, John Falb Co., West Union
1984
Mert Coover, Mert Coover Chevrolet-Olds Co., Nevada
1983
NATIONAL FINALIST
Edmund Elbert, Elbert Chevrolet Inc., Whittemore
1982
NATIONAL FINALIST
W. H. Perdock, Perdock Inc., Washington
1981
Tom Helms, Strieter Motor Co., Davenport
1980
Art Salsness, Salsness Buick-GMC, Sioux City
1979
Gary Lilly, Gary Lilly Volkswagen, West Des Moines
1978
Leo Levien, Levien Chevrolet, Fort Dodge
1977
NATIONAL WINNER
Warren McEleney, McEleney Motors Inc., Clinton
1976
Charlie Zook, Charlie Zook Motors, Sioux City
1975
NATIONAL FINALIST
Marvin Hartwig, Marv Hartwig Inc., Iowa City
1974
Floyd Hughes, Floyd Hughes Chevrolet Inc., Council Bluffs
1973
Lee Holt, Lee Holt Motors Inc., Spencer
1972
NATIONAL FINALIST
Ray Lauterbach, Lauterbach Chevrolet, Perry
1969
Charles Betts, Jr., Betts Cadillac Inc., Des Moines
1964
Frank Collard, Frank Collard Co., Waterloo
1960
NATIONAL FINALIST
Cyle Murray, C. J. Murray & Co., Sioux City