2026 1st Quarter Executive Director Message
Dear Ford MDA Members, Supporters, and Friends,
Indra Nooyi is an Indian-born American business executive who was the chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018. Nooyi has consistently ranked among the world’s 100 most powerful women. Ms. Nooyi said, “Diversity and inclusion cannot simply be delegated to one individual. That is a cop-out.” Indra Nooyi’s reminder speaks directly to how we lead—and how we build lasting progress. April is widely recognized by many organizations as “Celebrate Diversity Month,” a time to honor the richness of our cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences, and to recommit to inclusive practices that strengthen communities, workplaces, and relationships.
For Ford MDA, diversity is not a slogan. It is our lived reality—and a strategic advantage. Our association exists because representation matters in automotive retail: in who owns, who leads, who is heard, and who has a fair shot at opportunity. When we expand access and develop talent across communities, we do not just grow individual dealers; we strengthen the network, elevate the customer experience in our markets, and ensure the Ford and Lincoln dealer body continues to reflect the communities we serve.
A powerful way to see that diversity is to look at our Ford minority dealer portfolio. In the latest Minority Dealer List (Feb. 2026), Ford MDA membership includes 141 dealer rooftops led by 121 unique dealer-operators across 37 states. Our membership spans four major minority ownership communities—Hispanic (56 rooftops), African American (47), Asian American (28), and Native American (10)—and 19 of our member rooftops are led by women (13.5%). We also represent a mix of Ford, Lincoln, and Ford/Lincoln points, reflecting a broad franchise footprint across our network.
Diversity, however, is more than “who is in the room.” It is also how we operate—how we organize, communicate, and execute. As an organizational strategy, the Board is continuing to navigate our BPR committees through disciplined leadership and accountability. In practice, which means clear committee structure and oversight, consistent messaging and coordination across committees, and standardized reporting that gives the Executive Committee a shared view of what is getting done. Reports are designed to be concise and actionable—capturing progress updates, KPIs and metrics, key risks and challenges, and specific requests for Board support or decisions—while keeping the initiative aligned, transparent, and member-focused.
That same “strategy plus execution” mindset will be on full display at our 13th Annual Conference, May 13–15, 2026 at the Fairmont Del Mar Hotel. This year’s theme— “Honoring Our Legacy, Driving Our Future”—calls us to celebrate the dealers who paved the way, while investing in the tools, relationships, and next-generation leadership that will carry our network forward in a rapidly changing industry.
The conference is designed to provide technical assistance, you can actually use—practical, implementable guidance you can bring home to your dealership. Across partner-supported presentations and workshops, you will have access to expertise in the areas that most influence dealership performance and sustainability: F&I and customer protection strategies; dealership technology systems and workflows; financial planning and business continuity; market and economic trends; performance training and accountability; and marketing strategy that reduces waste while growing market share.
Based on the current conference schedule and the more detailed working agenda, Wednesday includes a Women’s Leadership group meeting, a JM&A vendor presentation during lunch, and afternoon workshop sessions with AGWS, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America, TMG, and Brightline (noting that the detailed agenda lists this slot as “Brightline / TBD”). Wednesday also includes the Membership Meeting and an evening reception to reconnect with peers and partners. Thursday continues with a CDK vendor presentation, a workshop with NCM, and additional sessions including Ally. The detailed agenda also includes a Cox economic review for the auto industry, a C-4 Analytics workshop, and Ford & FordDirect sessions designed to provide OEM and partner technical guidance. A Town Hall with Ford executives is scheduled for direct dialogue and timely updates. The detailed agenda also holds an open workshop slot for additional OEM/partner support, including potential Ford Credit and/or FordDirect support, depending on availability.
We encourage every member to take advantage of the full conference experience beyond the classroom. Attend the Women’s Leadership programming, build relationships at the receptions and Afterglow, and join the Dealer/Legacy conversation designed to preserve institutional knowledge and create space for candid dialogue. For those traveling with family or colleagues, the Friday activities—pickleball, Legoland, and golf—are part of the experience as well. Every learning session and activity is designed to build connections, mentorship, and momentum—because what we do best is learn together, lead together, and lift as we grow.
To maximize the value of your trip, come prepared to engage. If possible, bring key managers from departments you most want to strengthen, and write down two or three dealership challenges you want to solve in the next 60 days. Use the conference to build an implementation plan: which ideas you will adopt, who will own them, and what success should look like in 30–60 days. That is how technical assistance becomes results you can measure.
If you have not already, plan to use the conference tools as well. The team will be promoting the Eventleaf app on-site so you can navigate sessions, track locations, and stay connected throughout the program.
Most importantly: act now. Please share this note with your leadership team and make your conference plan together. Registration is open, and workshop sign-up slots are filling quickly. Register today to secure your preferred sessions and ensure you can take full advantage of the technical assistance, peer learning, and direct access to partners and Ford leaders that the conference provides.
Thank you for your continued leadership, resilience, and commitment to lifting as we climb. In April, we celebrate diversity—but we also recommit to the work. I look forward to seeing you in May as we honor legacy and drive our future, together.
Sincerely,
Dr. A.V. Fleming
Executive Director, Ford Minority Dealers Association
