Gary Kaminsky 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee The TIME Dealer of the Year Award has been called the most prestigious honor a new-car dealer can receive. In partnership with Ally and in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), this program honors new-car dealers in America who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships and perform distinguished community service. Now in its 56th year, dealers are nominated by members of the ATAE (Automotive Trade Association Executives), and the winner is acknowledged during the opening business session of the NADA convention. TIME, Ally and NADA honor outstanding new-car dealers across America and their unyielding commitment to improving their communities. For 2025, the board of directors of the New Car Dealers Association San Diego County selected Gary Kaminsky of K Motors for their nomination for the TIME Dealer of the Year award. The following contains excerpts of a recent interview with Gary, demonstrating why he was chosen by his peers to represent San Diego County. As the owner and general manager of Toyota of El Cajon, Gary Kaminsky is proud of the organizational culture that has developed over time — a culture where employees feel like they’re cared about and given the resources to be successful. “Creating a supportive work environment for our associates, where they can thrive and advance, has been deeply fulfilling,” Gary explained. Equally as gratifying to Gary is improving the customer experience so that clients enjoy buying a car in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. “I read a book years ago when I was first starting in the business called ‘Triple Net Profit.’ It explained the three things needed for long-term success — associate satisfaction, customer satisfaction and net profit — in order to get the best associates and keep them happy, and then they take care of your customers.” That made a lot of sense to Gary, and that mindset is at the heart of everything he does today. Having been mentored by both his father and mother, was a blessing. “My father taught me about the overall operations of a dealership,” Gary recalled. “He led by example: honest, optimistic and hardworking.” To this day, Gary makes it a priority to keep the workplace both positive and productive. “I was young when I started in the industry, so I had a chance to make a lot of mistakes and learn along the way.” Gary continued, “There were days when I let my stress show outward, and on those days, my dad would say, ‘What, did your dog die today?’ I’d reply, ‘What are you talking about?’ In his wisdom, my dad would explain, ‘You look really down like you’re unhappy, and everybody’s looking at you, they’re judging you and how you’re feeling.’ My dad always pushed me to try harder, reminding me that a positive attitude is everything.” Gary’s mother worked in the business office of another dealership around the time she first met Bob. She was good with numbers and knew her way around a balance sheet. “My mom taught me the financial aspect of this business, and I am forever grateful for that,” Gary said. Gary remembers the challenging time when his late father, Bob, bought the first store: “He kept trying to bring in a top performer from the outside. Someone who 6 SAN DIEGO DEALER
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