On January 23, Ford Motor Company recognized six outstanding Ford and Lincoln dealers with its prestigious Salute to Dealers award, which celebrates their exceptional community contributions. This year’s recipients exemplify the positive impact dealerships can have, from supporting veterans and youth programs to funding cancer research and providing job training for people with disabilities.
Henry Ford III points out that for the past 25 years, the Salute to Dealers Award has recognized the exceptional contributions of their dealer network in supporting the communities they serve. He emphasizes that these honorees embody the spirit of giving and illustrate the positive impact that dealers can have when they collaborate to create stronger and more vibrant communities.
Since 2011, the Salute to Dealers program, founded by Edsel B. Ford II, has grown globally and has recognized 166 dealers from 20 countries. This year’s honorees were selected based on their community service, duration of involvement, and personal motivation. Each honoree received a custom portrait to showcase their philanthropic efforts, which will be displayed at Ford World Headquarters for one year.
The Honorees:
- Charles S. Miller (Miller Ford Lincoln Sales, Lumberton, New Jersey): Miller’s extensive contributions include supporting local charities such as the American Cancer Society, the Boy Scouts of America, and Rowan College. He also established several employee-focused programs, such as scholarships for children and financial support during hardships.
- Ed Bloom (Sioux Falls Ford, Sioux Falls, South Dakota): Bloom is committed to helping veterans and children with critical illnesses, supporting causes like South Dakota Salutes, Make-A-Wish South Dakota, and the Avera Race Against Cancer. His dealership’s dedication to community service earned it the Sioux Empire United Way Business of the Year award.
- Jack Feng (Zhengzhou Hejun Automobile Sales Co., Ltd, Zhengzhou, China): Feng is a tireless advocate for social causes, donating to disaster relief, education, and healthcare. His Harmony Group Love Fund supports community welfare initiatives, and his dealership also volunteers for city service activities.
- Mike Marcotte (Marcotte Ford, Holyoke, Massachusetts): A third-generation dealer, Marcotte focuses on youth programs, notably the Children’s Museum at Holyoke and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke. His dealership also supports Providence Ministries and the Baystate Children’s Hospital.
- Jared Priestner (Team Ford, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada): Priestner and his team focus on education and children’s health, with initiatives like Fuels the Schools and the Thrive Elementary School. His leadership also extends to supporting the Kids with Cancer Society and funding the Fresh Hoops program to renovate basketball courts.
- Turse Zuhair Nahason Affan (Sime Darby Auto Connexion, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia): Affan leads efforts to support education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability in Malaysia. His work includes upgrading rural schools, providing food for senior citizens, and implementing a clean water project for indigenous families.
These honorees demonstrate the vital role dealerships play in improving the lives of others, showing how Ford’s global network contributes to the betterment of communities worldwide.
