Las Vegas – Joe McCloskey, president of McCloskey Motors in Colorado Springs, Colo., was named 2013 National Quality Dealer of the Year by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association during NIADA’s 67th Annual Convention and Expo in Las Vegas.

In a ceremony televised live from Caesars Palace on NIADA.TV, McCloskey was chosen from the State Quality Dealers nominated for highest honor given among NIADA’s dealer members.

McCloskey, 55, started his business with his wife, Ann, in 1989 after a successful career as a sales manager for new car dealerships. McCloskey Motors now includes two sales locations – McCloskey Truck Town and McCloskey Imports & 4x4s – as well as two service locations – McCloskey All Makes Auto & Truck Service and Joe’s Car and Truck Repair – and employs 63 people in the Colorado Springs area. The company sells nearly 1,500 used vehicles and repairs more than 3,500 vehicles annually.

NIADA National Quality Dealer candidates are judged on a variety of factors, including contributions to the automotive industry and community involvement. A panel of judges from Northwood University selects the annual winner.

NIADA chief executive officer Michael Linn said McCloskey “has gained an exceptional reputation, not only with his customers, but throughout his community and the industry itself.”

Linn said McCloskey “has given back to his community in so many ways. Last summer, the community of Colorado Springs was devastated by the Waldo Canyon wildfire. More than 300 homes were destroyed and more than 20,000 people were evacuated. Joe was proactive in recognizing and addressing his community’s needs and used his dealership as a vital hub for donations. His efforts, along with his own funding, raised more than $40,000.”

In addition, the McCloskeys have long been involved with numerous community charities, including the Pikes Peak Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado and Colorado Springs City Parks. They help with Muscular Dystrophy Association projects and the Wounded Warrior Project, and are sponsors of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

McCloskey has been heavily involved in NIADA and the Colorado IADA ever since he joined the ranks of independent dealers, having served as CIADA’s president and chairman of the board. He has worked to promote the industry as a speaker and writer, appearing on local television and radio and in area newspapers as well as national media. He is recognized as an expert in subprime auto financing, and in 2002 was asked to be an expert speaker at the Automobile NAFTA Summit in Mexico City.

In 2012, McCloskey became the first dealer in the CIADA’s 72-year history to be named Colorado’s Quality Dealer of the Year for the second time. He first earned the award in 1994.

McCloskey is an automotive lifer, starting in the car business as an 8-year-old pumping gas at a service station before becoming a mechanics’ helper at 13, a lot boy at 15 and a salesman at 17. He said his business’ success is based on the company’s professionalism and enthusiasm for customer service, which shows up in a high percentage of repeat and referral customers.

"Our goal is not to just sell you a vehicle today,” he said, “it is to save you amazing amounts of time and money and deliver a level of customer service that exceeds your expectations."

“Given the excellent reputation and community service of McCloskey Motors over the years, it is obvious why Joe McCloskey has been selected as Quality Dealer of the Year,” Colorado Springs city councilman Bernie Herpin said.