President

Duane perpetuates his family legacy of business advancement, organizational accomplishments, personal achievements and an unwavering community commitment. He is the catalyst for unprecedented sales volume, dealership advancements, increased employment ranks and building a stellar corporate reputation. Under his leadership, the business is propelled by a progressive management network and skilled team members exhibiting Duane’s professional passion and personal values.

Joining the dealership in 1983, Duane became a partner in 1989. At the age of 31— following his father’s death in 1994—he was appointed president and CEO. Throughout his career spanning four decades, Duane has guided the corporation to regional and national acclaim. Paddock Chevrolet, Inc. has earned Dealer of the Year award 19 times—more than any other General Motors dealership in Western New York. This distinction is the most prestigious honor bestowed by Chevrolet to the Top 50 dealerships across America. The dealership also received General Motors Mark of Excellence, an esteemed award presented to fewer than 200 dealerships nationwide recognizing exceptional sales volume and customer satisfaction. While the dealership has been recognized as an organization, Duane has been personally acknowledged and named to the most highly regarded committees steering both General Motors and Chevrolet. He has served as Co-Chairman for the General Motors National Dealer Council and on Chevrolet’s National Dealer Council.

Married for 35 years, Duane and his wife Pamela, donate their time and resources to community service organizations reflecting values instilled while growing up in Western New York. Duane was raised in the Town of Tonawanda while Pamela called Grand Island home. The couple supports a range of local causes—most recently—Legacy 514. This organization was established in the aftermath of the May 14, 2022, Tops Market shooting in East Buffalo that claimed 14 lives and impacted thousands of residents and families. The on-going mission of the organization is to improved the lives of the underserved, providing access to education and equality-based health care.

In June of 2023, the Town of Tonawanda and Paddock Chevrolet announced the continuation and expansion of their long standing partnership by publicly unveiling expansive plans for Paddock Park, formerly known as Brighton Park. All under the Paddock Family name, enhancements to areas surrounding the existing Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome will include an ice arena, a children’s water spray park, pickle ball courts, batting cages, a rugby pitch and volleyball courts. The project’s completion is slated for Summer 2024.

Supporting the Summit Center and Western New York’s autistic community was a family mission for Duane and Pamela, along with their children, Lauren and Shane. The Paddocks made a major impact to the physical campus of this private, not-for-profit organization providing educational and therapeutic services to children with learning, communication and behavioral challenges. In 2012, Summit opened the Paddock Vocational Training Center. This facility provides services to directly support developmentally-disabled students, ages 17-21, with life skills and training to transition from the classroom to the workplace. The Paddocks were recognized with Summit’s Enduring Commitment Award.

Hunter’s Hope Foundation is another charitable focus for Duane. Established by former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly, and his wife Jill, to honor their son, Hunter, this organization was founded to address the acute need for information and research on Krabbe Disease and related Leukodystrophies. Its advocates, including the Paddocks, fought fiercely for newborn screening. In a landmark moment, on January 30, 2024, the Federal Newborn Advisory Committee voted to add Krabbe Disease to its recommended newborn screening panel. The victory was 20 years in the making and opens the door to early detection and lifesaving treatments.

At the age of eight years old, Duane was diagnosed with Dyslexia. Facing learning challenges in formative years, he has been an avid supporter of the International Dyslexia Association. He shares his experiences, struggles and successes and actively participates with speaking engagements, particularly in schools. He also spearheads fundraising activities.

While the Paddocks consider Western New York their hometown, Duane and Pamela spend significant time in Naples, Florida. They continue their philanthropic endeavors as major supporters of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The organization supports a spectrum of effective, disciplined charitable programs to better the physical, emotional and educational dimensions of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County.

Duane’s business acumen and dedication have placed him in leadership roles with
impactful organizations including:

• General Motors Financial Advisory Committee, Board Member 
• Chevrolet National Dealer Council, Board Member 
• Allied Bank Advisory Board Member 
• Unsecured Creditors Committee Member, serving during General Motors Bankruptcy proceedings 
• Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association (NFADA), Chairman 
• Health and Welfare Trust of NFADA, Chairman 
• Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc., Board Member 
• Regent Condominium Association, (Naples, FL), Board Member