Edsel Ford II does it again for dealers
 | Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. |
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Warning! If you like surprises, stop reading now.
I'm about to reveal the names of the dealers who will be honored by Ford Motor Co. in February for their outstanding community service and involvement in charitable causes.
These dealers will be hailed during a reception at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando just before the start of the National Automobile Dealers Association convention. It's all part of Ford's Salute to Dealers program spearheaded by Edsel Ford II.
The envelope, please.
OK, cue the drumroll.
The six honorees for 2013 are:
• William Jarrett of Bill Jarrett Ford in Avalon Park, Fla.
• Jack Kain of Jack Kain Ford in Versailles, Ky.
• Kevin Meehan of Imperial Ford in Mendon, Mass.
• Kittivut Chairat of Ford Chokechai Sukhothai in Sukhothai, Thailand.
• Dimas Arnoldo da Silva of Dimas Comercio de Automoveis in Florianopolis, Brazil.
• Gazi Osman Ovali of Ovali Motorlu Araclar in Antakya, Turkey.
Disclosure: I am one of the four judges recruited by Edsel Ford to evaluate the nominations.
Because the identities of the nominees are disguised during the judging process, I don't know who any of them are until it's all over and Edsel tells me who this year's recipients are, based on input from us.
This year Ford's regional managers submitted 61 nominations from all over the world. And here's a factoid: Of the three North American dealers to be honored in Orlando, one is from Kentucky, one from Florida and the other from Massachusetts. Interestingly, among the Ford dealers honored at the last Salute to Dealers reception earlier this year in Las Vegas, one was from Kentucky and another was from Florida.
Coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences. Either Ford dealers in Kentucky and Florida are exceptionally devoted to their communities and charitable work ... or the Ford regional managers in those states know how to write strong nominating letters.
Or maybe it's a little of both.
No matter. Congratulations to all six recipients!
You can reach Edward Lapham at elapham@crain.com.
