GALESBURG — Rick Yemm, a longtime Galesburg business owner and community advocate, has been chosen by the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association as its nominee for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award, one of the automobile industry’s highest honors recognizing leadership and public service.
Yemm, dealer principal of Yemm Automotive, is among 47 nominees nationwide who will be recognized at the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 5, 2026. The award, sponsored by TIME and Ally Financial, celebrates auto dealers who demonstrate professional success and a long-standing commitment to their communities.
In Galesburg, Yemm and his wife, Jamie, have been active supporters of the Galesburg Community Foundation and numerous civic programs, including education initiatives, charity walks and youth fundraisers. Through the dealership, they partner with Carl Sandburg College and the Galesburg Area Vocational Center to help students explore automotive careers through job shadowing and internships.
“Yemm Automotive actively encourages our employees to get involved in volunteer efforts — we believe it’s a vital part of building stronger communities,” Yemm said.
A second-generation business owner, Yemm leads a family-run dealership group that serves west-central Illinois with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands. Founded in 1961 as Weaver–Yemm Chevrolet, the company has grown from a single dealership into a multi-line operation employing more than 100 people.
“My path to becoming dealer principal began in 1961, when my father and his business partner purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Galesburg — the same place where they had worked as salesmen and managers,” Yemm said.
After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University, Yemm returned to work alongside his father, Dick, eventually taking over as dealer principal in 1995. He oversaw the opening of a new Chevrolet-Buick-GMC facility in 2017 and led renovations to the Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram facility to improve both customer and employee experiences.
He calls his daughter, Sara Yemm Witherell, joining the family business his proudest milestone.
“Without a doubt, the most rewarding moment was when Sara expressed her desire to join the family business,” Yemm said. “Her commitment, along with the dedication of our outstanding team, has helped Yemm Automotive grow into a third-generation, family-owned dealership — something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Yemm served on the board and executive committee of the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association, including a term as chairman in 2021.
The national TIME Dealer of the Year winner will be announced in February.
