“Auto dealers play such an important role in the strength of local communities across the United States,” said Tim Russi, executive vice president, North American Auto Operations, for Ally Financial. “They are involved in many philanthropic endeavors, contributing their time and money to improving the lives of people in need. Ally is proud to support and honor these extraordinary dealers and the important roles they play in making their communities better places to live and work.”
A recent survey of U.S. dealers by Ally Financial found that more than 65 percent increased their charitable giving in 2012 compared to 2011 and nearly 64 percent donate more than $10,000 on an annual basis, with the majority – more than 94 percent – going to local causes.
In its second year as exclusive sponsor, Ally Financial will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s charity of choice. An additional grant will also be made on behalf of the winner, which will be announced in February.
To further celebrate the valuable contributions of dealers across the U.S., Ally has launched a website, AllyDealerHeroes.com, to highlight the philanthropic contributions and achievements of auto dealers. All of the 57 nominees will be represented on the site, along with stories of their charitable outreach in local communities. The site also features a social media dashboard displaying a tally of dealer contributions, as well as the results of a newly launched hashtag campaign – #AllyDealerHeroes – which encourages dealers and consumers to tell their own stories of community involvement.
The nominees and winner will be honored at the 96th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Florida on February 9, 2013.
2013 Nominee
John McEleney
McEleney Chevrolet Buick GMC Toyota
Clinton, Iowa
“Founded in 1914 and now managed by a fourth generation, our dealership relies on repeat business and we strive every day to provide our employees with the best possible experience,” nominee McEleney said. “That, in turn, results in them creating an outstanding buying and ownership experience for our customers.”Clinton, Iowa
A 1969 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, Iowa, McEleney received a BBA in business administration, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1973. He entered the family enterprise upon graduation and was recognized by General Motors and Toyota as a dealer by the time he was 24. “I started at age 13 working in the parts room, washing cars and performing janitorial tasks,” he said. “I worked in nearly all phases of the business.”
McEleney Chevrolet Buick GMC Toyota embarked on a major construction project and a new facility was constructed in 2002. “Rapidly changing technology has prompted us to keep our facility as current and cutting edge as possible,” McEleney has said. “This building expansion and enhancement will allow us to do just that.”
Poised to celebrate a milestone 100th anniversary in 2014, McEleney’s dealership has long been a contributor to the local economy. He was asked to chair the Clinton Regional Development Corporation’s Quality Jobs for the Future campaign in 2004 to secure funding from private sector employers for growth when the economy was struggling. “The campaign was successful and has resulted in hundreds of new jobs in the community and surrounding area,” he said.
McEleney was also chairman of the NADA in 2009 during the collapse of Wall Street and the historic drop in auto sales, resulting in automaker bankruptcies. He was involved in intense policy-making negotiations with the U.S. Department of Treasury and the White House. “It was rewarding and gratifying for me to lead an effort on behalf of auto dealers that helped gain support for GM and Chrysler bridge loans and to then work for impacted dealers to gain financial support or potential reinstatement,” he said.
On the local front, McEleney is director of the Paul B. Sharar Foundation at Clinton Community College and supports numerous school driver training programs. He founded the Fill the Stocking Fund that provides gifts, money and essentials to needy families in the community. McEleney has also served as president of the Rotary Club of Clinton, co-chairman of United Way Pacesetters and on the board of trustees for Mount St. Clare College.
McEleney was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year Award by Bruce Anderson, president of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association. He and his wife, Virginia, have two children and two grandchildren.
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