Rick Yemm, one of just 47 dealers nationwide nominated for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year Award, joins Jay Redfern and Tyler Gumm with his daughter Sara Yemm Witherell, General Manager of Yemm Automotive.
From Dick Yemm’s legendary ability to recall every car a customer—or their parents—ever bought, to Sara now running 75% of daily operations, this is the story of a third-generation Galesburg dealership that’s stayed independent and community-strong for 64 years.
"People still want to come in, touch, feel, smell the car — and talk face-to-face with people they trust.” — Rick Yemm
“He was the example of how to treat people.” — Sara Yemm Witherell on her grandfather Dick
In this full interview:
- The TIME Dealer of the Year nomination & what it means for Galesburg
- How Yemm stays family-owned while others consolidate
- Sara’s journey from summer switchboard to decision-maker
- Community impact: Galesburg Community Foundation, Carl Sandburg College, GAVC internships
- The future: online research, transparent pricing, and why face-to-face trust still wins
- Rick’s 1969 green Camaro – his first car still on the showroom with just 40K miles
🚗 Yemm Automotive: https://www.yemmauto.com
📍 Galesburg, IL – Proudly serving West Central Illinois