Mark Pellegrino, President and Dealer Principal at Pellegrino Auto Group, has been honored as New Jersey’s 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year (TDOY). This prestigious recognition highlights his outstanding achievements in the automotive industry and his deep commitment to community service. Pellegrino will receive this accolade at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show, taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 2025. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is regarded as one of the highest honors in the automobile sector, and Pellegrino was among only 49 auto dealers nominated from a pool of over 20,000 nationwide.
“I am grateful and humbled that I was nominated for this honor and chosen to represent New Jersey dealers on the national stage,” said Mr. Pellegrino. “Pellegrino Auto Group is a family-owned and operated dealership group that has built its reputation one customer at a time, and our success is fueled by the dedication of our team of hardworking employees who embody our motto – Our People Make the Difference!”
Pellegrino’s journey in the automotive industry began in his youth, influenced by his father’s success as a used truck dealer specializing in heavy-duty vehicles. At just 16, he and his brother, Matty, sold their first used car from a gas station parking lot, which led them to wholesale vehicles at local auto auctions and work at a used car lot in Riverton, New Jersey. His father, Matthew, has been a guiding force in Mark’s life and career.
In 1988, Pellegrino earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Villanova University. During his junior year, he and Matty took over a used car dealership in Riverton, moved it to Palmyra, and renamed it Interstate Truck Sales. Their operation flourished, selling over 1,500 vehicles annually between wholesale and retail from 1986 to 1995. However, following Matty’s sudden passing in 1995, Mark faced the challenge of continuing their dream.
In 1997, Pellegrino achieved that dream by acquiring his first dealership, Pellegrino Chevrolet, with partner Nino Paleologus. In 2005, he bought out his partner and expanded by purchasing a Pontiac Buick GMC dealership in Williamstown, now known as Pellegrino Buick GMC. The following year, he and partner Stan Singer added a Chrysler Jeep dealership, which is currently named Pellegrino Chrysler Jeep. After Stan’s retirement in 2017, Mark continues to run the dealership alongside partners Russell Abate and Vince Baldino. He is also proud to work with his daughter, Amanda, a recent NADA Academy graduate, and his sister, Stacia, who joined him at Interstate Truck Sales in 1995.
“The Pellegrino Auto Group has long been one of the most respected auto retailers in New Jersey,” said Jim Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). “I’ve known Mark for many years, and he is very deserving of this honor. Not only has he run a successful business, but Mark treats his employees and customers with respect and is incredibly involved in his community.”
Throughout his career, Pellegrino has supported numerous local organizations, schools, and charities, with the Matthew P. Pellegrino II Memorial Foundation being particularly close to his heart. This nonprofit, established in honor of his brother Matty, has raised nearly $1 million over the past 27 years to benefit more than 25 children’s organizations.
Mark and his wife, Leslie, have been happily married for 34 years and have three daughters—Morgan, Amanda, and Courtney—along with three sons-in-law and three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. Despite his demanding schedule, Mark always prioritizes being present for his children’s and grandchildren’s milestones, school events, and family gatherings.
Mark’s active involvement in the community and leadership at all three dealerships exemplifies his dedication to family, employees, and customers. His values are clearly reflected in both his business practices and personal life.
Dealers are nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year Award by executives from state and metro dealer associations across 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, with one national Dealer of the Year being announced on January 25, 2025, during the NADA Show in New Orleans. Each of the three finalists will receive $5,000 for a charity of their choice, while the overall winner will be awarded $10,000 to donate to charity, courtesy of Ally.
About The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers
Founded in 1918, the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR) is a non-profit organization that serves approximately 520 franchised car and truck retailers throughout the state. NJ CAR advocates for the principles of commercial honor and integrity in the selling, leasing, and servicing of motor vehicles while keeping its members informed on business practices, trends, and legislative developments to ensure compliance and success in the industry.
