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Don Ackerman
LAS VEGAS -- Don Ackerman, the former owner of Gaudin Ford here, died Oct. 22. He was 86.
Ackerman's automotive career began when he was hired by his father-in-law, George Gaudin, a Ford dealer from Salinas, Calif.
In 1955, Gaudin bought a Ford dealership in Las Vegas and asked Ackerman to run it. Ackerman eventually became the owner of Gaudin Ford and expanded the business. Ackerman sold the dealership to his son, Gary, in 1996.
Zig Ziglar
PLANO, Texas -- Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker who inspired world leaders and business owners, including auto dealers, died Nov. 28 in Texas. He was 86.
Ziglar spoke at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in 1992.
"I know if anyone can inspire us, you can," Mick McIlwain, NADA director at the time, said in introducing Ziglar at the convention after a "rough year" for the industry.
In the late 1960s, Ziglar became training director for Automotive Performance Co. in Dallas. He wrote more than 30 books on salesmanship and motivation, including See You at the Top.
