Salute to Dealers

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. These remarkable honorees and nominees are selected from a field of thousands of Ford and Lincoln dealers across the globe.

Ford is very proud of the contributions made by the dealers who are nominated for this award and the 100 men and women who have been selected as Salute To Dealers honorees since the program’s inception. 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.

Our 2014 awards recognized the following dealer principals for their unparalleled generosity and commitment to their communities:

Randall L. Reed, Randall Reed’s Planet Ford, Humble, Texas, U.S.A.

Randall Reed is very passionate about supporting his community and believes that he should focus on giving back at every available opportunity. His humble beginnings are a driving force for that commitment. Reed is a huge advocate for the needs of children and local education, having donated his time and unending resources to the Humble ISD Education Foundation. One example is his Teacher of the Year award that provides a new vehicle to the deserving winner. Reed is now expanding the program to eight different cities. When an elementary school playground burned to the ground, he donated the funds to rebuild it. Reed’s support for the school district’s special needs students includes donating computers and vehicles to a program where teens with disabilities are mentored by high school students. His community outreach extends to a local project that provides funds for mammograms for women who otherwise could not afford them. Additionally, he raises much needed funds for the Village Learning Center, which offers essential services for young adults with disabilities and their families. Randall Reed’s generous spirit of giving and caring has set a commendable example for others in and around his community.

Sujeet Singh Gehlot, Gehlot Ford, Ajmer District, Rajasthan, India

Sujeet Singh Gehlot and his wife Pratibha are dedicated to supporting a number of important charitable and social causes in their region. Their motto in life is “always be ready to help the needy.” One example is their involvement, including hands-on and financial support, for Shubda, a special school that offers a variety of activities for mentally challenged children including vocational training. Their work there has helped in shifting the attitudes of local citizens about the potential these children possess. They have been instrumental in helping impoverished children to obtain a better education at a State Primary School by providing essential supplies to the students. The Gehlots also secured and help maintain a large water tank for drinking water for the students, which aided greatly in the school’s day-to-day operations in an otherwise water-strained region. They established a Thalassemia foundation for children affected with this rare blood disorder. Personal inspiration for this cause comes from their son, who also suffers from this disorder. Other local efforts include the construction of, and ongoing support for, an old-age home, local blood donation drives and many activities of the same type. Their work with these and countless other charitable endeavors, typifies the Gehlots focus and compassion for giving back to their community.

William J. Kindle, Kindle Ford-Lincoln, Cape May Court House, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Bill Kindle is a devoted and long-time supporter of local organizations, national charities and families in need. He is actively involved with the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, a foundation that seeks to end drunk-driving tragedies by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers. Every year his dealership supports the HERO walk fundraiser, attracting thousands of people and critical funding for the organization. Kindle is also dedicated to preserving the marine mammal population. Every year, he sponsors a motorcycle ride to save turtles from being run over by cars during the hatching season. He also supports the Marine Mammal Stranding Center which responds to thousands of calls for distressed whales, dolphins, sea turtles and seals. Kindle’s love of flying is more than just a hobby. He is a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight Northeast, an organization that provides free air transportation to families in need of critical medical care. Everything from fuel to expenses, as well as his time, is donated by Kindle. Other activities include volunteering the use of his dealership for drive-thru flu shots, fundraising for the Boy Scouts and donating vehicles to disadvantaged families in the community. Bill Kindle is selflessly committed to making a difference in the lives of residents along the southern New Jersey Shore.

Cam Clark , Cam Clark Ford, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

Cam Clark has unwavering passion and commitment to the local community as shown by his lengthy list of charitable contributions, and his dedication of time and resources to the many causes he supports. He is particularly interested in helping the youth in his area. Clark is actively involved with the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta and contributes both to the Boys & Girls Club of Airdrie and Stephen’s Backpacks Society for children in need, both local causes which ensure that children are provided with an opportunity to succeed. He also partnered with the Rocky View School Division to create a Mechanics Training Center at his dealership which provides educational opportunities to students sharing a passion for automotive mechanics. Clark’s generosity included a significant donation to help create a Community Learning Center. The Center provides learning experiences to children of all ages and offers critical services like child and family support, day care and before- and after-school care. Clark also contributes to Ups and Downs – Calgary Down Syndrome Association, an organization that provides a medium for families with children suffering from Down syndrome to unite, share experiences and work together to advocate for rights and acceptance. He also served as a director for the Calgary Stampede, a very special event that typifies western heritage and values. Cam Clark has immersed himself into the Airdrie community, displaying a rare compassion for giving that is a model for others.

Randy Nehring, Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.A.

Randy Nehring and the dealership team make giving back to the community of Sioux Falls a priority within the dealership. A cause they are very committed to, through various organizations, is the fight against cancer. One example is their involvement with Be Bold Wear Gold campaign with the Children’s Miracle Network. This organization unites families in the fight against childhood cancer, and raises awareness of the importance of finding a cure. Another event the dealership has had a long-standing, active involvement with is the Avera Race Against Breast Cancer, an annual 5K event that raises funds for equipment, research, education and patient services for those battling the disease. They also continue their commitment with a fundraiser, The Big Grape, which is an annual wine and food event that raises money for pediatric oncology. A 10-year commitment for the cause demonstrates their dedication in the fight against cancer. As a family business, children are an important cause for the dealership to support. Along with active involvement in the foundation, the dealership is a generous donor to Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants special wishes to children with life threatening illnesses throughout South Dakota. The dealership, as well as the Nehring family personally, sponsors Wish children annually. They remain involved with the foundation by contributing to fundraising events throughout the year, such as a local golf tournament. Randy Nehring believes that giving back to the community where his family plans to live forever is a gift, the gift of giving.

Divonsir (Zico) Cardoso, Autoeste Veiculos Ltda., Foz do Iguacu, Parana, Brazil

Divonsir Cardoso is a tireless advocate and supporter of numerous social causes in his community. One of these is his commitment to re-socializing incarcerated prisoners and adequately preparing them for their return to society as meaningful contributors. Cardoso’s involvement includes sponsoring a technical training program, building a library and supplying computers and other critical supplies. Mr. Cardoso has also been instrumental in supporting Uopeccan, a cancer hospital in a nearby city, through his tireless fundraising efforts with other entrepreneurs in the region as well as his personal visits to the hospital. He also makes significant financial donations to Lar Dos Idosos, a home for the elderly. Not only does he donate money to this home, he actively participates in their many events. He also participates in the Association BEIT ABBA, for recovering addicts of alcohol and drugs. Mr. Cardoso is involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Casa de Maria School and with initiatives that alleviate the suffering of others, especially the socially and economically disadvantaged. Mr. Cardoso’s compassion for giving is ever-present and a true model for others in his community.