MEMBER SPOTLIGHT to their plan. Bill revised the accounting department to plan and got it back on track. Shortly after that, a need arose for someone to fill the parts manager position. Bill rose to the occasion, took on the position and learned what he needed to do so the department could continue to run smoothly. All this happened before Bill turned 21 under the careful guidance of his father. Because of his lack of experience and young age, Bill had to prove himself to some of the long-time employees and management. Working in the parts department did just that; he earned their respect and found his place in the company. From there, Bill worked in every department, learning, gaining experience and eventually, he took over the business. Today, Bill’s son, Matthew, is a third-generation dealer. He is learning under his father’s tutelage and working in every department, just like Bill had done. Bill’s sister, Brenda, also works at the dealership. It’s fair to say that Billy Howell Ford is a family affair. “When I first started working with my father, he was my dad who then became my partner, my best friend and ultimately, my mentor,” Bill recalled. “Our relationship is quite special. We’re very different individuals. I’m very driven and hard-charging; he’s very laid back and the most compassionate person I’ve ever met. We complemented each other fantastically. I thought it could not get any better, but then my son came in and we had three generations working here. Now, I’m the mentor, the father and the partner. It is fantastic.” Bill Howell is the president of Billy Howell Ford. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Bill grew up around the auto industry. His father, Billy, worked for Ford Motor Company. At the age of 10, the family moved to Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit just minutes away from the birthplace of Ford Motor Company. The family lived there until Jan. 1, 1976, when they relocated to Roswell, Georgia, where they found a community that the entire family calls home to this day. His father opened Billy Howell Ford that same year. Bill attended Georgia State University while working for U.S. Steel. Upon receiving his accounting degree, he planned to continue working for the company and was on a management track. At the same time, his father needed to replace the controller at his dealership, and Bill, at the age of 20, decided to join the family business. He started with the title of vice president and filled in as the interim controller. The dealership had been purchased under the Ford Dealer Development program which comes with stringent controls — Ford has a redbook, and everything has to be done according Getting to Know Bill Howell of Billy Howell Ford THE GENERATOR 12
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