My father started as a Ford Dealer in Hammond Indiana and moved to Calumet City in 1966. In Calumet City he became one of the largest volume dealers in Chicagoland. He was the Chairman and Show Chairman for the Chicago Auotmobile Trade Association for 1976-77. He served on the Ford Dealers Advertising Fund for over 30 years.
I joined my father in the mid 1980’s working my way up from cleaning cars to selling both new and used vehicles. There was no better gift than coming to the store and working with my father. He loved his employees, many with him over 30 years, and always gave back to the community. My father came from nothing and always helped someone down on their luck. I knew how generous he was but when he passed 5 years ago I met more people he had helped without any of his family knowing.
In 2009 we bought Riverview Ford in Oswego. We moved our staff there in 2011 and the rest is history. Many of my employees have been with me over 25 years. I have four employees that drive over ninety minutes from Indiana. To say I am blessed is an understatement. My philosophy is to show everyone “the love” - that means truly treating everyone, employee or customer, with kindness, respect and care. To truly care for someone is not something one can teach. Either you have it or don’t. My employees all have it. I tell people all the time: read our reviews. We have the highest online score of any Ford dealer in Illinois for a reason. Everyone is always treated like Family. They love getting a car from us because it’s “not a transaction, it’s a relationship.” Our customers become our friends. Almost all our business is referred by someone else.
I have sat on the Chicago Automobile Trade Association board and served as chairman and show chairman. I currently serve on our Ford Dealer Advertising Board where I head a committee that works with dealers to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I have worked with JDRF for many years through many different avenues. A couple of years ago I donated a 1973 Mach Mustang to help raise money to fund a cure. I really believe the will find a cure for diabetes in my lifetime! We do a lot with our community too. Whether it’s helping our police and fire departments, the local high school, the chamber of commerce, the USO, baseball teams, the scouts, our churches and even decorating the store for Christmas. Santa visits the store and passes out gifts to all the kids that visit.
We love being a part of our community and are thankful everyday for their support. The best part of my business is the people I get to work with and the Thank You I get from our customers everyday. It truly makes me happy knowing I have helped!