CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Joe Palmiero of Honda North is one of 55 car dealers in the country nominated as a Time Dealer of the Year, and dozens of his employees attended a luncheon Thursday to honor that fact.

Palmiero will travel to San Francisco at the end of January for an awards ceremony, where the national winner will be announced.

Before the luncheon, Palmiero said he doesn’t need to win the award to have a sense of pride and accomplishment. He already has those sensations when he looks at the show room at Honda North on Route 68.

“I’ve already won no matter what happens,” he said, speaking in front of the employees. “Just to be with this group here makes me happy and proud.”

Palmiero’s son, also named Joe, called his father’s nomination a “tremendous honor” that is “the most prestigious award” given in the car dealer business.

“I’m lucky enough to be his son,” the younger Palmiero said, “but from a professional standpoint, I’m lucky to be in business with him.”

The older Palmiero, who’s been selling cars since 1958, deflected praise for his nomination and said his employees are what makes the business special.

“This is really your award,” he said. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

Palmiero was presented with a plaque at the luncheon.