Carlos Sandoval guides Bartow Ford’s philanthropic efforts supporting various causes, including Achievement Academy, Club Hispano de Lakeland, Central Florida Speech and Hearing, and Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.
Those efforts are one reason that Cox Automotive, in partnership with the National Association of Minority Automotive Dealers, or NAMAD, awarded its Rising Star Award to Sandoval, who is partner and fixed operations director at Bartow Ford in Bartow, Fla.
This recognition emphasizes the importance of diversity in the automotive industry. Keisha Duck, who is Cox Automotive’s vice president of talent, learning and culture, and NAMAD president Damon Lester virtually presented the award to Sandoval.
“On behalf of Cox Automotive and in partnership with NAMAD, I am honored to recognize Carlos Sandoval as the 2020 Rising Star,” Duck said in a news release. “Not only does Carlos exemplify the words ‘Rising Star,’ but he also exemplifies a core value of Cox and the Cox family — community service.”
After Sandoval joined Bartow Ford in 2005, then-principal owner Benjamin Robles Sr. became a mentor and played a strong role in shaping Sandoval’s career and supporting his efforts to become a dealer principal. Robles in 2012 selected Sandoval as part of his succession plan, providing him an opportunity to buy shares of the dealership.
Sandoval now oversees three departments, 125 employees, and 69 service bays.
His team reports combined annual sales revenues of $23 million and manages more than $2 million in parts inventory.
Additional philanthropic efforts his company supports includes hosting community events such as Drive for Excellence, Winter Wonderland (a free event for children to experience snow and see Santa) and Back the Blue Luncheon. Sandoval has served on the board of directors for the Women’s Care Center and Bartow Chamber of Commerce.
His efforts in raising the most money for Main Street Bartow Inc. to nurture the growth of new local businesses, earned him the title of “Mr. Bartow.”
“Thank you, Cox Automotive, Damon Lester and NAMAD for honoring me with this prestigious award,” Sandoval said. “I am very humbled and truly grateful for this acknowledgment. To receive recognition for two of the things I am most passionate about — my career in the automotive industry and working in my community — makes this a highlight of my career.”
He continued, “Thanks to my beautiful wife Laurie — who has been my inspiration and rock. I would also like to thank my mentor Benny Robles Sr., who empowered me to grow and learn the Bartow Ford way of treating our employees and customers, and Benny Robles Jr., who continues to push me to be an innovator and take chances to stay ahead of our ever-changing business. I would like to recognize my amazing team at Bartow Ford; I believe they are the best of the best in the industry.”
In Sandoval’s honor, Cox Automotive is donating $5,000 to Women’s Care Center, a non-profit organization that provides transitional housing and support services for women and their children.
Also on Sandoval’s behalf, Cox Automotive will also donate a disaster response vehicle to the American Red Cross Mid-Florida chapter. Cox Automotive is a long-time partner and member of the Red Cross Disaster Response Program. It will be the 17th donated disaster response vehicle.
Founded in 1948 by Ernest Smith, Bartow Ford says it operates on the same philosophies it was founded on — trust, integrity and honesty — under Benjamin Robles Jr.’s leadership.
Cox Automotive is now accepting applications for the 2021 Rising Star Award.
Source : AutoFinanceNews
