JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Rod Wilhelm has been nominated for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award, one of the automotive industry’s most prestigious honors, for his business performance and community service. He is the dealer principal of Don Wilhelm Inc. in Jamestown, North Dakota, and will be honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas on February 5, 2026.

Business: Wilhelm has been involved with the family-owned dealership since 1974, which now operates under the name Wilhelm Chevrolet GMC. The dealership has been a fixture in the community for over six decades.

Community Contributions:

• • Wilhelm is recognized for his significant commitment to community service and was named Jamestown’s “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” in 2024.
  • He is a prominent supporter of the University of Jamestown and local schools.
  • The dealership hosts an annual event, the Dan Wilhelm Huntington’s 5K Run/Walk and Car Show, to benefit the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, an event that honors his family members who have died from the disease.
  • He is a member of numerous local and state organizations, including the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota, the Stutsman County Fair Board, and the Elks Lodge.