2025 TDOY Nominee

Con Paulos is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 108^th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 2025.

The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Paulos was chosen to represent the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56^th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

“As a small dealership in a small town, we have the opportunity to truly change people's lives,” said nominee Paulos, whose family’s connection to Chevrolet dates back more than 100 years. “We are there day in and day out to help our employees, our customers, and the people in our communities. Sometimes that doesn't make my accountant happy, but we know it’s important to use resources to make a difference in our world.”

Paulos earned a business/marketing degree from Utah State University in Logan in 1975 and served in the United States Army & Army Reserve from 1970 to 1976. He also pursued a career in law enforcement, but he was drawn back to the auto industry, which had been part of his family legacy since his grandfather, Gus A. Paulos, opened a Chevrolet dealership in Magna, Utah, in 1922.

“After my grandfather died in a tragic accident, my father and uncle took over the business when my dad was only 18 years old,” he said. “My first job at age 10 was cleaning the restrooms and sweeping the floors. You might say that I was born into the car business — it is in my blood.”

Paulos worked as a deputy in the Cache County Sheriff’s Office in Logan, Utah from 1969 to 1974, then returned to his roots and joined his family’s Chevrolet dealership, which he helped to relocated to West Valley City, Utah.

“My true love was always the car business,” he said. “And I thank my father and uncle for showing me the ropes and allowing me to work in every position in the dealership.”

Paulos also completed a Chevrolet management training program before striking out on his own and founding Con Paulos Chevrolet in Jerome in 1979.

“I bought my dealership with $16,500 in my pocket,” he said. “I have been a dealer for 45 years and have lived through the highs and lows of high interest rates, economies imploding, and amazing, successful years. My dedication to the business and my outstanding team of loyal employees have made our store a success.”

Paulos’ son, Peter (Costa), is currently his partner — and the next generation poised to take over the family enterprise.

“I am so proud of my family's heritage and excited to pass it on to my son, and hopefully my grandson Gus, who has my grandfather's name,” he said.

With such deep-rooted ties to Chevrolet, Paulos is equally committed to supporting the car industry. He has been an active, longtime member of the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association, where he has served on the board and as board president for two terms. He is currently the group’s NADA PAC chair and is vice chair of the governor-appointed Dealer Advisory Board of the Idaho Transportation Department, a group he has represented for nine years.

“In these leadership positions, I have been able to impact regulations and laws that affect automobile dealers and our employees within our state,” he said. “On a national level, I have built relationships with legislators from Idaho, and I have participated in conferences and grassroots efforts to help shape federal regulation of our industry.”

In the area of community outreach, Paulos combines his business acumen and his passion for the local people he serves. He was one of the founding members of Business Plus and the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO), two groups that have brought corporations and thousands of new jobs to the region.

“The economic impact has been outstanding for all businesses and employees who are earning higher wages and living better lives,” he said.

For his good works, Paulos received the 2006 Citizen Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council. And he was appointed by two governors to serve on the Idaho Workforce Development Council and the Idaho Economic Advisory Council.

Paulos and his wife, Lisa, are also supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Magic Valley.

“Lisa serves on the board and has been on the executive board for over 17 years. She has been the catalyst in getting our dealership involved in many fundraising activities,” he said. “From sponsoring raffle prizes to donating over $300,000 to stimulate the creation of a club in Jerome, we are proud to partner with this vital youth organization.”

In addition, Paulos created the Paulos Family Charitable Foundation in 2007 to oversee his charitable giving.

“We provide funds to various nonprofits, all of which our employees participate in either directly or indirectly,” he said.

Organizations that have received donations include Santa’s Cause which provides gifts for foster children in the region, Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center which provides equine therapy for children and adults, Racing for Charity which supports smaller nonprofits in the Magic Valley region, Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Facelift which supports downtown revitalization projects in southern Idaho, Twin Falls Optimist Youth House and many others.

One of his most rewarding philanthropic initiatives was 100 Acts of Kindness, launched to celebrate Con Paulos Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary in 2022. Paulos asked the public to nominate worthy organizations and needy individuals and 100 were chosen to receive donations.

“The 100 Acts of Kindness touched many lives and struck a chord in our community,” he said. “The stories and individuals behind them were amazing, and we truly made a difference.”

Con Paulos and his wife Lisa are excited to have received this nomination. Con has three children and six grandchildren that Lisa and he love to spend time with.