METRO DETROIT DEALER HONORED FOR GOOD WORKS
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Irma B. Elder of Elder Automotive Group earns Ford's annual 'Salute To Dealers' award
TROY, Mich., Jan. 31, 2007 – As a successful businesswoman and dedicated community activist, Irma B. Elder supports so many causes and organizations there are almost too many to count.
Elder, who heads up the Elder Automotive Group based in Troy, Mich., is especially devoted to causes that benefit those who are often the most vulnerable – children, the elderly and people suffering from life-threatening illnesses. She also supports groups that provide education at all age levels and mentor women.
"I was brought up believing it's better to give than to receive," said Elder, whose group includes Ford, Jaguar and Aston-Martin dealerships. "I'm part of the communities where our businesses, customers and employees are located, both in Michigan and Florida. So I give back."
For her outstanding corporate citizenship, Ford Motor Company has named Elder among the nine recipients of its seventh annual Salute To Dealers award.
Elder, who refers to herself as a "truly multi-cultural person," was 12 years old when she moved from Mexico to Miami, where she learned English and graduated high school. After she married James Elder in 1963, they moved to Michigan and later bought a Ford franchise. When James died suddenly in 1983, Irma took over the business to support her and their three children. She was the first woman to own a Ford dealership in Metro Detroit.
With much support and perseverance, Elder has grown the business into eight dealerships in Michigan and Florida. Elder Automotive Group ranks among the top Hispanic-owned businesses in the country while its Jaguar stores in Troy and Tampa are among the nation's top Jaguar dealerships.
Along the way, Elder has remained committed to what matters most. "As a young child, I was taught to respect my elders and to help those who are less fortunate than I," she said.
Ask anyone to describe Elder and you'll hear "generous," "kind," "tireless" and "inspiring" over and again. She has earned acclaim and awards throughout Michigan and nationwide for her devotion and the countless hours she gives to a wide variety of organizations.
One of Elder's favorite groups is LASED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development Inc.) in Detroit's Mexicantown. Elder especially enjoys supporting LASED's Senior Citizens Center because "the atmosphere there reminds me of my mother," she said.
Among her efforts, Elder treats the seniors to lunch at a local restaurant and donated a pool table to the center, where the seniors socialize and have access to services and information sessions.
"Whenever we ask her she helps out right away," said Edith Colon, director of LASED's senior center. "She's our favorite. She's just a wonderful lady."
At Oakland Family Services, Elder has been "an energized and inspiring" board member, said Michael S. Earl, president/CEO of the private, nonprofit human service. During her 10-year involvement, Elder has provided leadership in a variety of areas, including a $4 million endowment campaign. At the Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System, Elder has been "an incredible supporter to its programs and a wonderful ambassador for the Josephine Ford Cancer Center," said Mary Tindall, senior director of Planned and Leadership Gifts. Elder has also contributed to the system's Rival Medical Traveling Scholarship Fund, which offers medical students education and training to improve their experience and knowledge, Dr. Jan Rival said.
Elder sits on dozens of boards, to which she offers her financial expertise, strategic advice and generous donations. "Irma's probing questions, thoughtful insights and gracious demeanor make every board meeting she attends more productive and enjoyable," said Richard Rogers, president of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. "She is a key ingredient in making the CCS board one of the best in the region."
For Elder, education is the key to success. "I believe it is important to learn all you can from every part of your life and to support those who work in our schools and colleges," she said.
As a trustee of Northwood University, the Midland, Mich.-based institution that counts more than 3,000 franchised auto dealers as graduates, Elder e nsures the Automotive Marketing program is up to date, reviews financials, meets with students and represents Northwood in other activities.
" Irma Elder is an inspiration to our students because of her success story in an industry that has historically profited from entrepreneurs more than any others," said David E. Fry, president emeritus of Northwood. "She is also a wonderful role model for women, and particularly Hispanic women, who seek to enter our enterprise society as owners and risk takers."
Elder often is asked to mentor women, both young and seniors. "I encourage them by relating events and issues from my own life's experiences, successes and challenges," she said. "It is particularly rewarding to make one smile, to make a difference in an attitude and to brighten a day by visiting and conversing."
Salute To Dealers was established in 2001 to demonstrate Ford Motor Company's commitment to its dealer principals who improve the lives of those in need in their communities while providing outstanding products and services. The program is conducted under the guidance of Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of Henry Ford and a member of Ford's Board of Directors.
"Irma's involvement in and dedication to her community underscores Ford's commitment to making a difference in the places where we work and live," Edsel Ford said. "She is inspiring."
This year, 71 exceptional dealers from 26 states and two countries were nominated for the seventh annual award. Dealer principals representing all Ford Motor Company brands – Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, Land Rover and Aston Martin – are eligible to be nominated by a regional representative. A panel of judges selects the honorees based on the dealer's individual activities, length of participation and personal motivation.
This year's award recipients will be honored February 2 at a private reception preceding the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention in Las Vegas. Ford Motor Company commissioned a portrait of each honoree depicting in montage form the dealer's involvement in his or her community. These portraits commemorating the corporate citizenship efforts of the 2007 honorees will join those of previous honorees in a special display in the lobby of Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.
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