Don Kaltschmidt, owner of the Don “K” car dealership in Whitefish, was recently nominated for the prestigious Time Dealer of the Year award for his contributions to the community.

Kaltschmidt was one of 55 dealership owners nationwide up for the award. He was nominated by Bruce Knudsen, executive vice president of the Montana Automobile Dealers Association. All nominees were honored at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in San Francisco on Jan. 23.

Kaltschmidt, 59, is a Flathead High School graduate. He took his first job in the automotive industry at City Chevrolet in San Diego in 1980 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975-78.

“Car sales in the early 1980s were tough, with 20 percent interest and economy troubles,” Kaltschmidt said. “Many of the ‘old pros’ were getting out and the store manager wanted to hire young ‘green peas.’ Since I was a clean-cut Marine Corps veteran and a naïve country boy from Montana, I was hired.”

After Kaltschmidt got married and had two children, he wanted to move back to northwest Montana to raise his family. He was hired by Jim Dowen Chevrolet in Whitefish as sales manager in 1985, buying Dowen out in 1990 and later his business partner in 1991.

He added franchises for Subaru in 2010 and Chrysler in 2011.

Kaltschmidt says the dealership has thrived following the Great Recession, which has allowed the company to give back in numerous ways.

“Because of our new-found success, we have been able to get more involved in the community and give back to those who got us through the recession and continue to support us today," he said.

Kaltschmidt is a member of Rotary International, Marine Corps League, American Legion, Moose Lodge, Flathead Business & Industry Association and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.

He served as bishop of his ward at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1998 to 2003, which he calls the “toughest and most rewarding calling of my life.”

The dealership also sponsors many music and theater events in the valley.

"It is very rewarding to see the happiness and joy it brings to those we serve,” Kaltschmidt said. “We are very blessed."

The award is sponsored by Time in association with Ally Financial. Ally contributed $1,000 to each nominee’s nonprofit charity of choice.

“The dealers nominated for this award are dedicated business owners, auto lovers and, most importantly, champions for their local communities, with a willingness to give back on a grand scale,” said Tim Russi, president of Auto Finance for Ally Financial.