He's Hoodwinked, Then Honored by the Dealer Boss

SAN ANTONIO — Herman Ford, COO of Red McCombs Automotive, walked into a staff meeting he'd organized for his boss, Red McCombs. It seemed a little odd that among the group were some people who wouldn't ordinarily attend a breakfast meeting such as this. When McCombs opened the meeting, Ford knew he'd been had.

“We're here today for one purpose only,” said McCombs. “To celebrate Herman Ford's 30 years of service. Very seldom in any business does anyone have the opportunity to spend more than 30 years working with someone who has delivered — in any capacity needed, anywhere, every time.

“Over these 30 years, we've moved through many venues, and Herman's opened new stores here and out of state, started car lines that no longer exist and car lines that no one thought would still exist.

“He's hired or trained most of the guys in this room. He's steady at the helm, willing to make difficult decisions and get on down the road. It's important to have people like him that are always looking to make business better — that's what makes it better for everyone.”

Along with the accolades came gifts, including an all-expense paid hunting trip anywhere in the world anytime. Ford started working for Red McCombs in 1972.

“I came here to sell cars temporarily, but it was so much fun I'm still here,” he says. “It's like a favorite quotation of mine — Confucius said, ‘Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.’”