2026 TDOY Nominee

Michael Mullaney is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109^th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 5, 2026.

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Mullaney was chosen to represent the New York State Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57^th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

Mullaney began his automotive career in 1975 as a Volkswagen salesperson. "My mother was a single parent and a salesperson — she was my inspiration," he said. After graduating from Kean University with a degree in education, someone asked what he really wanted to do. "I told him, ‘I’d like to sell cars.’ The next day I walked into a VW store and was hired on the spot."

His career accelerated when he joined The Curry Auto Group, where he became General Manager at age 28 and later Director of Dealership Operations, overseeing multiple franchises in New York and beyond. In 1995, he took the leap to become a dealer principal at Hudson Pontiac Buick GMC (now Hudson Buick GMC Cadillac).

"Becoming a dealer was the biggest risk of my life — I took every cent I had and borrowed the rest," Mullaney recalled. "Thirty years later, we have a thriving family business and my sons are carrying the torch."

Today, Hudson Buick GMC Cadillac employs 50 people and represents Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Mullaney’s son Matthew is General Manager, his son Ryan works as shop foreman, and his son Dennis also contributes to the dealership’s success — making Hudson a true family business.

The dealership has earned multiple GM Mark of Excellence Awards and underwent a $1 million renovation in 2013 to modernize operations and create a more comfortable customer experience. In fixed operations, the dealership emphasizes technician training and first-time fixes. "Fixing the customer’s vehicle correctly the first time is our mantra," Mullaney said.

Beyond the dealership, Mullaney has been a consistent advocate for the industry, serving as Dealer Co-Chair of the Buick-GMC National Dealer Council, a longtime officer of the Buick-GMC LMA Board and a member of the Cadillac LMA Board. He also is serving as Vice Chairman of NYSADA.

Civically, Mullaney has raised more than $50,000 for the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, where he was named Man of the Year in honor of his late sister. Additionally, he is a long-time sponsor of The Tunnel To Towers Foundation, contributing over $60,000 to the foundation providing mortgage-free homes to the families of mortally injured service men and women and first responders. The dealership also sponsors food, toy and blood drives annually, and awards scholarships to employee families.

His philosophy of service extends to customers as well. "Always do the right thing is our motto and our creed," Mullaney explained. "When a customer faced repeated transmission issues on a nearly new car, I told him to come pick out another vehicle at my expense. He drove away happy — and his family will be customers for life."

Mullaney was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the New York State Automobile Dealers Association. Mullaney and his wife, Rita, have three sons: Ryan, Matthew and Dennis.