Introducing a new voice for dealers
My name is Doug Sullivan and I’m the newly elected president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association. I’m also co-owner of Bickley Ford Sales in Huntsville, Ont.
Over the next year, I’ll be representing TADA and its 1,100 newcar member dealers across Ontario. In this column, I’ll be sharing my views and passions about the auto industry.
First, a brief background: I was born in North Bay, Ont., in 1959. My parents were entrepreneurs who envisioned a bright future in the tourist business after the Dionne Quintuplets put North Bay on the map. My parents built and operated two tourist camps and owned four fabric stores. I inherited a strong work ethic.
My first full-time job was with CN Railway, which allowed me, at age 17, to purchase a brand new 1976 Firebird. This was the start of my love affair with automobiles.
My career in the automobile industry started that same year when I was hired by Rustbug Centre, where I sold and applied automotive undercoating. Then I worked for Dominion Wholesale, selling automotive products to body shops and service centres in northern Ontario.
In 1981, I was hired as a salesperson at George Stockfish Lincoln Mercury in North Bay, which soon added Ford to its lineup. From my earliest days in sales, I knew I’d found my calling.
In 1985, I achieved Ford’s highest national honour for sales achievement, the Summit Award. A year later, I was promoted to used car manager and, in 1992, to general sales manager. That same year I became a partner at Stockfish Ford.
In 1995, I became a partner at Pinewood Park Motors in Kirkland Lake and at Sunset Lincoln Mercury in North Bay. During this period, I also attended Dealer School at Ford Motor Company in Detroit.
In 2002, I sold my interest in the Ford dealerships and continued working for the Stockfish Auto Group. In 2005, I became co-owner, with The Stockfish Group, of Bickley Ford in Huntsville.
Bickley Ford has grown and prospered. My dealership is part of the fabric of the Huntsville community and we proudly support many local initiatives, including the Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Port Sydney Winter Carnival and the Ontario Winter Games and Ontario Parasport Winter Games.
In 2008, I was awarded the Huntsville Business Excellence Award for Business Community Involvement, an honour. I’ve held long-standing memberships with the Royal Canadian Legion, Masonic Lodge, A.C.T., Elks Club and Rotary.
A career highlight was the amalgamation of the Ontario and Toronto Dealers Associations. As president of the Ontario Automobile Dealers Association in 2012, I negotiated the unification of the two associations. The combined organization now provides Ontario dealers with a cohesive voice under the banner of TADA.
As the new TADA president, I am excited about the opportunities to build on past successes and look forward to working with all board members and stakeholders to make TADA a strong and vital voice for Ontario dealers.
When I began selling cars more than 33 years ago, I was passionate about my new-found career. That passion for selling cars and satisfying customers is reflected in all of my professional and personal activities today, whether it’s meeting with customers, attending industry events or indulging in my love of boating with family and friends in Muskoka.
I want to thank outgoing TADA president Bob Verwey for his hard work and dedication in representing the TADA during the past year, and for his support. Thanks, Bob! This column represents the views of TADA. Email president@tada.ca or visit tada.ca. Doug Sullivan, president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association, is a new-car dealer in Huntsville, Ont. To reach Wheels Editor Norris McDonald: nmcdonald@thestar.ca