Raymond L. Farabaugh of D. Patrick was named the TIME Dealer of the Year at the annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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. Farabaugh was chosen to represent the Automobile Dealers Association of Indiana in the national competition.
“The most rewarding aspect of my automotive career has been witnessing the growth and success of my employees,” nominee Farabaugh said. “By empowering individuals and providing them with the tools they need to succeed, I’ve created a high-performing team that is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and to driving the company forward.”
Farabaugh earned a B.S. in psychology at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, in 1979. After college, he started his career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in Dallas, Texas, where he was director of internal systems.
Ten years later, Farabaugh had the opportunity to join his father-in-law, D. Patrick (Pat) O’Daniel, at the family’s auto group and work in the Honda dealership. He was named finance manager, then attended the NADA Academy to prepare for a broader leadership role. He moved to different dealerships within the group and rose from sales manager to general manager.
“Pat was an excellent mentor and spent countless hours with me,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to learn from many colleagues in the automotive industry, and I’ve capitalized on the opportunities afforded to me.”
In 1999, Farabaugh and his brother-in-law, Michael O’Daniel, purchased the dealership from Pat. Today, they share ownership and split responsibilities for overseeing specific franchises in the D-Patrick group.
“Since acquiring the company, my focus has been on growth, profitability, facility improvements, and employee development, both professionally and personally,” he said. “I take special pride in the fact that virtually all my employee leaders have started from entry-level positions. Looking ahead, my goals include continuing to elevate professionalism in the automotive industry and mentoring employees to reach their full potential.”
Farabaugh is equally committed to giving back to his community and encourages the leaders in his company to take an active role in local organizations. His controller volunteered to be campaign chair for the capital campaign benefiting the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville (CMOE). Farabaugh also provided the necessary time off for his employee to fulfill his mission.
“So far, the ‘Play It Forward’ capital campaign for CMOE has raised $5.1 million of the $6.5 million goal” he said. “In addition to providing an important public service, my controller gains more confidence in his abilities, enhances his leadership skills, and expands community connections, which also benefit our company.”
According to Farabaugh, D-Patrick has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in direct contributions and sponsorships, supporting an array of local organizations. Some examples include Ark Crisis Children’s Center, Boone County Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ohio Valley, Special Olympics Indiana, Tri-State Food Bank, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Southwest Indiana, and many more.
“We also empower our employees to participate in community activities during working hours, fostering a culture of giving back,” he said. “This commitment is deeply rooted in our company’s values and reflects our belief in the power of corporate citizenship.”
