Ford of Ventura - Your Main Street Dealer!

Miami Florida hosted the 2015 Annual NAMAD Membership Meeting

On Thursday July 9th 2015, Sil Gonzales received the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) Distinguished Service Award at the 2015 NAMAD Annual Membership Meeting in Miami, Florida.  

The Distinguished Service Award is given to those whose actions speak louder than words.  Commitment to a cause even in the face of difficulty is a rare attribute in business these days.  The members of NAMAD choose to recognize those who do what they say they are going to do.  Following through with commitments is an important part of achieving success as many members of the National Association of Minority Dealers know.

Sil Gonzales with his daughter Missy Coale (Ford of Ventura GM) and grandson

     

Sil on stage receiving his award

The Distinguished Service Award was given to Silvestre Gonzales in recognition of his courageousness, integrity and reliability in assisting other ethnic minority dealers to succeed in the auto industry.  Silvestre “Sil” has more than 40 years’ experience managing businesses, banks, and development companies for both the public and private sectors.  That vast knowledge and experience served him well as he transitioned to the Automotive Business - growing a number of successful private cap franchises.  He has been recognized by his peers – nominated for Time Quality Dealer of the Year (2002) and was recognized as a “Sam Walton Business Leader”.   He has always been an advocate for Diversity within the Automotive Industry and has lobbied on behalf of that cause.  He has been on the Boards of the DaimlerChyrsler Minority Association, as well as the Ford Minority Associations and has been a leader within the National Association of Minority Car Dealers (NAMAD).   He has served on a variety of Dealer Ad Councils for both domestic and imports.  Currently he is President of Ford of Ventura located in Ventura, CA and Gresham Automotive Group, Inc.  Dba Gresham Ford located in Gresham, OR.    Mr. Gonzales has also been recognized as one of the elite club of President’s Award Winning Dealerships (2009, 2011, and 2012) within Ford Motor Company.   He is a member of Rotary International and within his club has been honored as Rotarian of the Year.  Sil is also married with four children. 

     

     The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area. Founded in 1980, NAMAD is committed to increasing opportunities for ethnic minorities in all aspects of the automotive industry. NAMAD seeks to ensure the presence of a meaningful, representative number of minority entrepreneurs and employees in the retail sales, supplier and service sectors, and the manufacturing ranks.   

     NAMAD is committed to working closely with domestic and international nameplate manufacturers to achieve win/win, sound business arrangements designed to create reciprocal trading partnerships. Over the past year, astute automobile manufacturers have joined forces with NAMAD to work together to advance the nation's efforts to promote equal opportunity and access for all Americans. These partnerships have uncovered new markets, new ideas, new talent and new capital - all to the benefit of automobile manufacturers, entrepreneurs and consumers.

      

NAMAD 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting