SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rick Niello, president of The Niello Company in Sacramento, will represent California this February as the only new car dealer in the state of 1300 dealers —  and among only 57 nominees nationwide — under consideration for receiving the TIME Dealer of the Year Award.

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News of the TIME nomination arrived within a week of The Niello Company's Porsche dealership, among 12 in The Niello Company, being named the eighth best new car dealership to work for in North America by Automotive News Magazine. Niello Porsche was the sole California new car dealership to break the top ten. The Automotive News ranking was based on an overall list of 100 best dealerships to work for in North America, which also included three other Niello Company dealerships: Jaguar-Land Rover Sacramento, Niello Volkswagen and Land Rover Rocklin.

There are approximately 19,000 dealerships in the United States alone.

"Understanding the nature of the automobile business is basic and essential; however, my foremost focus is on our people and their development," said Niello, who was among six presenters at the Oct. 17 unveiling of Automotive News' best dealership rankings. "We strive to be the most aspiring automotive company to work for in our region, and I am very proud of our successes in this area."

The Niello Company has a well-earned reputation for providing employees the resources they need to excel at the company, and in their career. This includes connecting top managers to Dale Carnegie Training in leadership, communication and teamwork. Also, the company prides itself on celebrating employee accomplishments and loyalty through its own annual award ceremony.

Niello's employee team includes more than 500 specialists, technicians, office staff, and sales professionals throughout the Sacramento region, and in Concord.

Niello's nomination as TIME Dealer of the Year is based on The Niello Company's dedication to community service, as well as to industry accomplishments. The award winner will be announced at the 96th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Florida, on February 9, 2013.

The family-owned company has expanded and thrived under three generations of Niellos, beginning with his grandfather, who started the company in 1921. The company's success has fueled a great many philanthropic efforts and events in its home region. The company has hosted for many years the Niello Volkswagen Ranch Run, a car show and cruise to benefit Ride to Walk, which provides innovative therapeutic horseback riding to children with neurological disabilities. This is in addition to the Audi Quattro Cup, an annual golf tournament to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. It also sponsors the Man/Woman of the Year fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Wind Youth Services, a safe haven for homeless teenagers; the Crocker Art Museum; Every 15 Minutes, a charity dedicated to educating young drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving; Sacramento Youth Symphony, as well as numerous educational initiatives and national charities.

Founded in Sacramento in 1921, Niello today is the largest privately held automotive group in the region, with 12 locations in Sacramento, Concord, Rocklin and Elk Grove. Its list of represented auto manufacturers span Acura, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, MINI, Porsche, and Volkswagen, first introduced to Sacramento by Niello. For more information, visit Niello online at www.niello.com.

SOURCE The Niello Company