The nomination of Kirk Carroll, dealer principal at Carroll’s Auto Sales – a Chevrolet and GMC dealership in Presque Isle, for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced by TIME.
Carroll is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 25, 2025.
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. Carroll was chosen to represent the Maine Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
“Every individual employee has contributed to the success of our dealership,” Carroll said. “They are the ones who have built our business, and their hard work, dedication, leadership and ethics have inspired generations of customers to remain loyal to our sales and service operations.”
Carroll’s Auto Sales was originally founded by Carroll’s father Frank (Skip) in 1958. Carroll asked to work at the dealership while in middle school and learned the ins and outs of the auto business from longtime employees, many who were WWII, Korean War and Vietnam veterans.
“I started picking up parts for the service and body shop on my bicycle at age 12,” he said. “Other than working in the local potato fields during school harvest breaks in the fall, Carroll’s Auto Sales is the only place I’ve ever been employed.”
Carroll earned a B.S. in business from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University) in 1984. After graduating, he returned to Presque Isle to work beside his father and his work family. He gained experience in all departments and attended a training program at General Motors to prepare for a leadership role.
“My interest in the car business never wavered; I knew that Carroll’s Auto Sales was where I wanted to be six days a week for my entire life,” he said.
Not long after Carroll had completed the GM program, his father was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and took a step down from the dealership, giving Carroll the reins. Carroll later purchased the business and continued to manage it with the help of his employees and his NADA 20 Group, which he joined at age 25 and has referred to as his “board of directors” due to the invaluable guidance he received.
“I believe participating in the group has greatly influenced our business success,” he said. “In my very first meeting, one of the dealers said, ‘when products are similar, the dealer makes the difference,’ and I have adopted that philosophy ever since.”
Carroll believes that providing transportation is his number one job. To that end, he is proud to have purchased an accessible van that he lends to people with mobility issues at no cost.
“The van is used to transport individuals to and from appointments or events, and all that is required is an advanced reservation,” he said. “The program has allowed many people in the community the ability to travel short and long distances in comfort and helps the caregivers assisting them.”
As a lifelong member of his community, Carroll gives back in numerous ways. He has supported Homeless Services of Aroostook, Hope and Justice Project, United Way of Aroostook, Catholic Charities Maine Feed the County, Patient Airlift Service, Shrine Hospitals, Rotary Club of Presque Isle, Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle and area sports and recreation clubs to name a few.
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 14th 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.
“At TIME, our commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of automotive dealers remains as strong as ever,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award continues to celebrate those who not only excel in their profession but also make a meaningful impact in their communities. We are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”
Doug Timmerman, Ally president of Dealer Financial Services, said, “Auto dealers are the backbones of their communities, providing civic support and significant business leadership. Ally is proud to recognize the unwavering commitment these TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are living every day through their volunteerism, sponsorships, and support of charitable causes. They are the epitome of community heroes, making important and positive impacts in the lives of the people they serve.”
Carroll was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Tom Brown, president of the Maine Automobile Dealers Association. Carroll and his wife Louise have two children Chelsey and Christopher.
