NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 24, 2025 — Raymond L. Farabaugh, president of D-Patrick, Inc., in Evansville, Ind., was named the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year during an awards ceremony at NADA Show 2025 in New Orleans. The award, sponsored by Ally Financial, celebrates franchised new-car dealers for exceptional business performance and outstanding community service. Farabaugh was chosen among a field of 49 dealer nominees from across the country.
“This award—it’s not about me. It’s about all the people who have supported me and given me the chance to do the things that I love to do. To all of them, I say thank you,” Farabaugh said.
Dealers are nominated by members of the Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAEs). A panel composed of faculty from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan chooses TIME Dealer of the Year finalists and winner.
Regional finalists were:
- Region I: George Haddad, dealer principal, Haddad Toyota (Pittsfield, Mass.)
- Region II: Cathy Stender, owner, Woody Anderson Ford (Huntsville, Ala.)
- Region III: Sean P. Baxter, president, Kayser Ford Inc. (Madison, Wis.)
- Region IV: Con Paulos, president, Con Paulos Chevrolet (Jerome, Idaho)
Farabaugh was nominated by Marty Murphy, executive vice president of the Automobile Dealers Association of Indiana.
Farabaugh earned a B.S. in psychology at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, in 1979. After college, he started his career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in Dallas, Texas, where he was director of internal systems.
Ten years later, Farabaugh had the opportunity to join his father-in-law, D. Patrick (Pat) O’Daniel, at the family’s auto group and work in the Honda dealership. He was named finance manager, then attended the NADA Academy to prepare for a broader leadership role. He moved to different dealerships within the group and rose from sales manager to general manager.
“Pat was an excellent mentor and spent countless hours with me,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to learn from many colleagues in the automotive industry, and I’ve capitalized on the opportunities afforded to me.”
In 1999, Farabaugh and his brother-in-law, Michael O’Daniel, purchased the dealership from Pat. Today, they share ownership and split responsibilities for overseeing specific franchises in the D-Patrick group.
“Since acquiring the company, my focus has been on growth, profitability, facility improvements, and employee development, both professionally and personally,” he said. “I take special pride in the fact that virtually all my employee leaders have started from entry-level positions. Looking ahead, my goals include continuing to elevate professionalism in the automotive industry and mentoring employees to reach their full potential.”
Farabaugh is a strong supporter of the Automobile Dealers Association of Indiana, where he has served as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and currently on the board of directors.
“During my tenure as an officer, I focused on modernizing the association to strengthen our competitiveness against manufacturers that make cars in Indiana and wield substantial lobbying power,” he said. “To create a more level playing field, I advocated for the hiring of lobbyists and public relations firms to amplify our voice and help move our legislative agenda forward.”
Farabaugh is equally committed to giving back to his community and encourages the leaders in his company to take an active role in local organizations. His controller volunteered to be campaign chair for the capital campaign benefiting the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville (CMOE). Farabaugh also provided the necessary time off for his employee to fulfill his mission.
“So far, the ‘Play It Forward’ capital campaign for CMOE has raised $5.1 million of the $6.5 million goal,” he said. “In addition to providing an important public service, my controller gains more confidence in his abilities, enhances his leadership skills, and expands community connections, which also benefit our company.”
According to Farabaugh, D-Patrick has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in direct contributions and sponsorships, supporting an array of local organizations. Some examples include Ark Crisis Children's Center, Boone County Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ohio Valley, Special Olympics Indiana, Tri-State Food Bank, Walk to End Alzheimer's Southwest Indiana, and many more.
“We also empower our employees to participate in community activities during working hours, fostering a culture of giving back,” he said. “This commitment is deeply rooted in our company’s values and reflects our belief in the power of corporate citizenship.
As the award’s exclusive sponsor, Ally will give $10,000 to the charity of his choice. Additionally, Ally will contribute $5,000 to each of the four regional finalists’ charities of choice, as well as $1,000 to the charities of choice for each of the 49 nominees.
To learn more about each of the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year nominees, their philanthropic contributions and achievements, visit TIMEdealeroftheyear.com.
