Salute to Dealers

Ford annually recognizes outstanding dealer contributions to their communities through its "Salute to Dealers" program. The program was established in 2001 to demonstrate our commitment to dealers who provide outstanding products and services and improve the lives of those in need. Dealers from all seven of our brands representing more than 6,000 dealership franchises in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to be nominated. Ford is very proud of the contributions made by the dealers who are nominated for this award and the 72 men and women who have been selected as Salute to Dealers honorees over the past eight years. Considering the high quality and community spirit of our dealer body, this is a tribute to their hard work and dedication to make the world a better place.

Nine dealer principals received the 2008 Salute to Dealers award. These honorees were chosen from a field of 65 dealers and were nominated by regional representatives. The 2008 Salute to Dealers honorees are:

• W. Kevin Collins, Bill Collins Ford Lincoln Mercury, Louisville, Ky., a generous community leader devoted to education and medical causes, including a patient resource center offering the latest medical information to families touched by Parkinson's disease.
• Joe and Paul Cotton, Joe Cotton Ford, Carol Stream, Ill., a father and son who for decades have uplifted young people through education, fundraising and gifts for area schools, police programs and church organizations.
• Jim Ellis, Jim Ellis Mazda of Marietta, Ga., and Jim Ellis Mazda of Atlanta, who dedicates countless hours and aid to numerous community organizations, including a medical center, a homeless shelter and a boarding school for at-risk youths.
• David T. Fischer, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights and Waterford, Mich., Suburban Mazda of Sterling Heights and Troy, Mich., and Suburban Volvo of Troy, Mich., and Palm Beach, Fla., a humanitarian devoted to assisting nonprofit organizations serving education, children's services, health and the arts.
• Sam Galloway, Jr., Sam Galloway Ford, Fort Myers, Fla., whose commitment to Southwest Florida led him to feed the hungry at a local soup kitchen and support numerous other causes, including the preservation of community landmarks.
• John and Seana Holtz, John Holtz Mazda, Rochester, N.Y., a husband and wife who actively serve and provide funding to numerous groups dedicated to helping women and children in need, as well as supporting cancer research.
• Doug and Tom North, North Brothers Ford, Westland, Mich., and North Brothers Lincoln Mercury, Troy, Mich., brothers who demonstrate compassion within the community by managing fundraisers and other events to help area homeless shelters, at-risk youth and cancer research organizations.
• Stuart Powell, Stuart Powell Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda, Danville, Ky., a dedicated community advocate who devotes extensive resources to improving the quality of life in his region by expanding its airport and supporting the Salvation Army, a local college and other organizations.
• Allan Vigil, Allan Vigil Ford, Morrow, Ga., and Fayetteville, Ga., an ardent supporter of education initiatives, who has committed consequential resources to supporting a local university, community health systems and underprivileged youth.