Salute to Dealers

Dealer Principals Honored with the 2009 Salute To Dealers
Bottom/Left to Right: Larry Geweke, Philip Schmidt, Denny LaBantschnig, Rich Mohr
Top/Left to Right: Scott Spitler, Edsel B. Ford II, Liza Myers Borches, Todd Spitler

Ford annually recognizes dealers' outstanding 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 five of our brands (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda), 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 78 men and women who have been selected as Salute to Dealers honorees over the past nine 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.

Six dealer principals received the 2009 Salute to Dealers award. They are:

• Liza Myers Borches, Volvo of Charlottesville, Charlottesville, Virginia. Borches' deep-rooted commitment to the community spans a range of causes, from raising funds for a local children's hospital to founding and leading an organization directing the philanthropic efforts of the area's professional women. Her civic responsibility translates into high-impact support for social services and nonprofits. A fourth-generation Ford dealer, Borches carries on a family tradition of active leadership in organizations like the local United Way.
• Larry Geweke, Larry Geweke Ford and Geweke Ford Mercury, Yuba City and Lodi, California. Geweke's dedication to breast cancer awareness, treatment, research and survivor support has touched thousands of lives in the past decade. His support has grown from a single fundraiser to nine events along with low-cost mammogram screenings hosted during a month-long campaign spanning multiple communities. In addition to these efforts, Geweke provides assistance for scout troops, youth sports leagues, 4-H Clubs, anti-drug programs, the Special Olympics and monthly Youth Service Awards.
• Denny LaBantschnig, Denny Ford Lincoln Mercury, Rolla, Missouri. LaBantschnig's commitment to the community appears most prominently in the Fill a Ford for the Holidays campaign he started in 1990. That year, he and his employees delivered two Ford pickups full of nonperishable goods to four area food pantries. Today, the campaign benefits more than 20 organizations and utilizes more than 42 pickup loads. LaBantschnig also extends support to many other causes, including raising funds to construct a safe playground for disabled and mentally challenged children.
• Rick Mohr, Eau Claire Ford Lincoln Mercury, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mohr encourages his Eau Claire Ford Lincoln Mercury employees to get involved in the community, and he leads by example. He hosts multiple American Red Cross blood drives in his showroom each year; offers free child safety seat inspections; and provides leadership for a nonprofit career development center serving disabled adults and teens. These efforts and others support Mohr's personal belief in the importance of community commitment.
• Philip A. Schmidt, Greiner Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc., and Converse County Motors, Casper and Douglas, Wyoming. Schmidt embraces community involvement as a duty, not a choice. His efforts positively impact thousands of individuals in and around the city of Casper, where he has guided successful campaigns to significantly improve medical technology and increase capacity at Wyoming Medical Center, the city's largest employer. Schmidt also was a strong advocate for the development of a regional water treatment plant and extends support to area youth and education organizations.
• Todd and Scott Spitler, Brighton Ford Mercury, Brighton, Michigan. As third-generation automotive dealers, brothers Todd and Scott Spitler carry a family tradition of contributing time, financial support and other resources to the community in which they live and work. Their civic spirit benefits a variety of educational and charitable efforts, including promotion of the arts and athletics in area schools, fundraising for cancer research and support for organizations promoting the local economy.