Indiana Man Is 2025 Auto Dealer of the Year

11:13AM / Monday, January 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NEW ORLEANS — Raymond Farabaugh, president of D-Patrick Inc. in Evansville, Ind., was named as the 2025 Time Dealer of the Year at the 108th National Automobile Dealers Association Show.

George Haddad of Haddad Toyota in Pittsfield, Mass., had also been one of the five finalists in addition to Farabaugh, Sean P. Baxter of Kayser Ford Inc. in Madison, Wis.; Con Paulos of Con Paulos Chevrolet in Jerome, Idaho; and Cathy Stender of Woody Anderson Ford, Huntsville, Ala.

Sponsor Ally Financial will give $10,000 to the charity of Farabaugh's choice and $5,000 to a nonprofit organization selected by each of the finalists, including Haddad. In recognition of their achievements, Ally also will give $1,000 to a charity selected by each of the 49 nominees.

Farabaugh was selected for his achievements in the auto industry and his commitment to making a positive impact in his community. He 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.

Additionally, Farabaugh's auto group has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in direct contributions and sponsorships, supporting an array of organizations such as the Ark Crisis Children's Center, Boone County Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, Tri-State Food Bank, and many more.

Time CEO Jessica Sibley and Doug Timmerman, Ally's president of dealer financial services, announced Farabaugh as the winner at a ceremony in New Orleans that honored all 49 nominees.

The Time Dealer of the Year winner and finalists are chosen by a panel from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. The panel selects finalists from each of the four NADA regions, and, ultimately, a national winner from those finalists.

Haddad was chosen to represent the Massachusetts State 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.

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Pittsfield Holiday Inn Closure Continues; Layoffs Reported

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:24AM / Thursday, October 29, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than a month after the Holiday Inn & Suites abruptly closed its doors, reports have emerged of employee layoffs.

The hotel has been closed since Sept. 25, when the last of its three elevators broke down. The 101 Restaurant & Bar, located inside the hotel, has also been a casualty of the closure, temporarily shutting its doors while repairs are underway.

Now, The Berkshire Eagle reports that 20 hotel employees across all departments have been laid off and it remains unknown when the hotel will reopen amidst ongoing issues with the building. The Holiday Inn & Suites declined to comment to iBerkshires' inquiries.

According to The Eagle, hotel facilities manager Pete Leidt said approximately five employees remain on staff and expressed hope that those who were laid off could return when the hotel reopens.

When the elevator stopped working, emergency medical technicians and firefighters assisted more than half a dozen people with mobility disabilities down the stairs, Building Commissioner Rian Dowd previously told iBerkshires.

"So with the no working elevators, we shut the building down," she said.

The central downtown, 12-story hotel has nearly 180 guest rooms. Massachusetts requires public multi-level buildings and facilities to have elevator access.

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