TIME AND ALLY FINANCIAL HONOR MERIDIAN DEALER

Paul Skillern Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Accomplishments

(New York, NY, October 18, 2022) – The nomination of Paul Skillern, Dealer Principal at Kendall Ford of Meridian in Meridian, Idaho, for the 2023 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced today by TIME.

Skillern is one of a select group of 48 dealer nominees from across the country who will behonored at the 106th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Dallas,Texas, on January 27, 2023.

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. Skillern was chosen to represent the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 48 auto dealers nominated for the 54th annual award from more than 16,000 nationwide.

“It is extremely rewarding to know that our company has had such a positive impact on our employees and our communities,” nominee Skillern said. “I believe that the growth and success of our business should be shared with those who helped create it, and the communities that supported us.”

Skillern earned a degree in business administration from the University of Oregon in Eugene in 1973. He was carving out a successful career in commercial banking in San Francisco when he moved to Medford, Oregon, to join his father-in-law’s Chevrolet business in 1977.

“For as long as I can remember, sports and the love of competition have been part of my life,” he said, noting his years as a competitive junior alpine skier. “I applied the lessons I learned on the slopes to my business and personal life, so I always work harder and never give up.”

To that end, Skillern experienced every department at the dealership to learn the ins and outs of the car business before moving to Kendall Ford in Eugene, Oregon, where he was named assistant general manager. Over the years, he oversaw expansion of the dealership group and directly operated stores. In 1990, he was named CEO of the Kendall Automotive Group and chairman in 2009. His wife, Dana, son, Michael, and daughter, Vanessa Skillern Pape, are all part of the family business.

“Over the past 45 years, I and our dedicated management team have guided the growth of our family-owned company to include a diversified automotive portfolio of 45 franchises in five states, plus related businesses,” Skillern said. “We have consistently strived to keep growing our footprint while maintaining the family values that have made us successful.”

An active member of dealer associations in Idaho and Oregon, Skillern has participated in meetings and conventions and has advocated for the auto industry on the state and national level.

“I have been able to forge close relationships with city leaders, governors and national political leaders, and lobbied on behalf of all dealers,” he said. “I felt it was important to be involved to protect the company, our employees and the industry that has supported and benefitted so many families throughout its existence.”

In the area of community service, Skillern is proud of working with his family to form Kendall Cares, a branded initiative with a dedicated staff that engages employees and develops partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations. A few of their programs include Kendall's Catwalk for a Cause, Kendall Games, Kendall’s Drive for Education and Kendall's 20k Giveaway.

“Kendall’s Catwalk for a Cause event in Idaho helped raise over $100,000 for the local YMCA and Kendall's 20k Giveaway donated more than $320,000 to local charities,” Skillern said. “It is important to give back to those in need. It is who we are; it is in our DNA.”

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 12th 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.

“For over 50 years, TIME has been committed to recognizing the impact of automotive dealers on their communities with the TIME Dealer of the Year award," said Edward Felsenthal, editor in chief and CEO, TIME. "We are proud to continue the legacy of honoring these works of service with our partners at Ally.”

Doug Timmerman, president of dealer financial services, Ally, said, “Auto dealers across the country who are nominated for this award each year are committed to not only doing it right and leading in a rapidly changing automotive industry but to strengthening their communities through giving back. The TIME Dealer of the Year program celebrates dealers who are the role models of the retail auto industry for their continuous efforts to lift up and support their employees, customers, and communities.”

Skillern was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Jim Addis, Vice-President and Executive Director of the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association. Paul and his wife, Dana, have two children.