EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial and TIME held a celebration event on June 30th to honor the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year winner, Mary Catherine "Kitty" Van Bortel. The event was held at the Van Bortel Ford dealership in East Rochester, New York and attended by business leaders from TIME, Ally, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester and dealership personnel.
The TIME Dealer of the Year Award honors franchised new-vehicle dealers for exceptional performance in their dealerships and distinguished community service. Ms. Van Bortel was selected from a group of 50 nominees across the country, and was announced as the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas on April 1.
During the celebration event, Ms. Van Bortel was recognized for the success of her dealership, which she started on her own with only a small investment, and for the outstanding contributions she has made to the Rochester community in supporting numerous nonprofit organizations.
"On behalf of the entire team at Ally, we are delighted to recognize Kitty Van Bortel and her efforts to make a difference in her community," said Tom Kolski, regional vice president of sales at Ally. "The TIME Dealer of the Year program was created to highlight dealers across the country that give back to their communities, and Kitty is a wonderful example of a business and community leader who cares deeply and gives generously."
Ms. Van Bortel founded her first used car dealership in the front yard of her home in Victor, N.Y. in 1985 with an investment of only $500. She applied the experience she had gained, moved to a three-acre lot in 1990 and quickly gained momentum. In 1991 she was able to build a 6,000-square-foot facility in Victor to house Van Bortel Subaru, and later opened Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Chevrolet.
In addition to her business pursuits, Ms. Van Bortel is passionate about giving back to the community. One of the causes that Ms. Van Bortel feels most strongly about is promoting early screening and detection of breast cancer. Ms. Van Bortel has supported the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, speaking at numerous events and making financial contributions. In honor of her efforts as the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year, Ally presented an $11,000 grant to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, on behalf of Ms. Van Bortel.
"We are overjoyed that Kitty Van Bortel has been chosen for this prodigious recognition, and honored that she has dedicated this grant to our organization," said Holly Anderson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. "Kitty is a remarkable leader and an inspiration to so many people living in the aftermath of a diagnosis of breast cancer. We are tremendously grateful to her for her efforts in helping us provide quality programming and services to the thousands of survivors in our region. She is truly our hero."
The Breast Cancer Coalition's mission is to provide support to those touched by a diagnosis of breast cancer, to make access to information and care a priority through education and advocacy, and to empower women and men to participate fully in decisions relating to breast cancer. In New York State, there are more than 12,000 new breast cancer cases and 3,500 deaths caused by breast cancer each year.
Other organizations Ms. Van Bortel supports include: National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House in Rochester; The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure (fundraising cycling event ); Warrior Salute (assists veterans as they transition back to civilian life); Victor/Farmington Food Cupboard (Thanksgiving baskets); IAC Kids: It's About Caring for Kids (help families in the Greater Rochester region going through financial hardships due to their child's severe illness); House of Mercy in Rochester (homeless shelter and advocacy group); Open Door Mission in Rochester (homeless shelter); Catholic Charities USA and many other local organizations.
Ms. Van Bortel has received several awards for her community service and business leadership, including the 2009 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award from the Saunders School of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology; 2011 Athena Award from the Women's Council of the Rochester Business Alliance and 2009 Rochester Women's Network "W" Award.
Ms. Van Bortel graduated from Palmyra-Macedon Central High School in Palmyra, New York and earned a B.A. in psychology from Wells College in Aurora, New York.
For more information about the TIME Dealer of the Year program, or to learn more about the nominees, please visit www.allydealerheroes.com
About Time Inc.
Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is one of the world's leading media companies, with a monthly global print audience of over 120 million and worldwide digital properties that attract more than 150 million visitors each month, including over 60 websites. Our influential brands include People, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Time, Real Simple and Southern Living, as well as more than 50 diverse titles in the United Kingdom.
About Ally Financial Inc.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial services company and a top 25 U.S. financial holding company offering financial products for consumers, businesses, automotive dealers and corporate clients. Ally's legacy dates back to 1919, and the company was redesigned in 2009 with a distinctive brand, innovative approach and relentless focus on its customers. Ally has an award-winning online bank (member FDIC), one of the largest full service auto finance operations in the country, a complementary auto-focused insurance business, a growing digital wealth management and online brokerage platform, and a trusted corporate finance business offering capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.
The company had approximately $156.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2016. For more information, visit the Ally press room at http://media.ally.com or follow Ally on Twitter: @Ally.
Contact:
Sari Martin
646-781-2539
sari.martin@ally.com
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SOURCE Ally Financial
