At Queen City Ford, we know that exceptional customer experiences do not happen by accident. They are built through intention, commitment, and strong leadership at every level of our organization. From the showroom to the service drive, the quality of leadership behind the scenes directly influences how we show up for our customers every day. That belief is why we are proud to share an important milestone for our dealership: our General Manager, Josh Williams, was selected to participate in Ford Motor Company’s prestigious Rising Leaders program.
The Rising Leaders program is a national leadership development initiative created by Ford to identify and support the next generation of dealership leaders across the country. It brings together top-performing managers from Ford dealerships nationwide, offering them the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and engage directly with Ford leadership. Participation is competitive, and selection reflects both past performance and future potential.
For Queen City Ford, Josh’s participation is not just a professional achievement it is a reflection of our long-term commitment to our people, our culture, and our customers.
Leadership That Shapes the Customer Experience
Strong leadership sets the tone for everything that happens within a dealership. It influences how teams communicate, how challenges are handled, and how consistently customers receive the level of service they expect and deserve. When leaders are supported, trained, and encouraged to grow, that investment ripples outward through the entire organization.
The Rising Leaders program focuses on exactly these principles. Participants engage in intensive learning sessions centered on personal growth, leadership development, collaboration, and long-term business excellence. The curriculum is designed to help leaders navigate an automotive industry that continues to evolve from technology advancements to changing customer expectations while staying grounded in values that never go out of style: integrity, accountability, and trust.
By investing in leadership development, we are investing in the systems and people that make a difference in every customer interaction.
Learning Beyond the Day-to-Day
One of the most valuable aspects of the Rising Leaders program is the opportunity for participants to step away from the daily routines of dealership operations and gain a broader perspective. When leaders are immersed in the day-to-day demands of running a business, it can be challenging to pause, reflect, and reimagine how things could be done better.
Through this program, leaders like Josh have the chance to learn from other successful dealers across the country, share experiences, and exchange best practices. These conversations provide insights that cannot always be found in textbooks or training manuals. They come from real-world challenges, successes, and lessons learned in dealerships just like ours.
Bringing those insights back to Queen City Ford helps us remain forward-thinking while staying deeply connected to the local community we serve. It allows us to refine processes, strengthen our team culture, and continue building an environment where employees feel supported and customers feel valued.
Investing in People, Not Just Processes
At the heart of leadership development is a simple truth: people drive success. The Rising Leaders program reinforces the importance of investing in individuals, providing clear pathways for growth, and empowering teams to reach their full potential.
Josh shared how meaningful this experience has been for him and how it aligns with our dealership’s philosophy:
“Being part of the Rising Leaders program has reinforced the importance of personal growth and investing in our people. Providing a clear path for development helps ensure long-term success and the highest level of service for our customers. I’m looking forward to the next two sessions with a talented group of leaders.”
This perspective speaks directly to what we strive to achieve at Queen City Ford. When leaders prioritize development both their own and that of their teams it creates an environment where accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement thrive. That environment translates into consistency for customers, whether they are purchasing a vehicle, visiting our service department, or returning for their next appointment.
Strengthening Culture for Long-Term Success
Leadership programs like Rising Leaders also reinforce the importance of culture. A strong culture does not happen overnight, and it cannot be sustained without intentional leadership. It is built through clear expectations, open communication, and a shared commitment to doing what is right.
By participating in this program, Josh is gaining tools and insights that help strengthen our dealership’s culture from the top down. That includes fostering teamwork, supporting employee growth, and ensuring that every team member understands how their role contributes to the bigger picture.
For our customers, this means working with a team that is aligned, motivated, and focused on delivering a positive experience at every touchpoint.
A Partnership with Ford, A Commitment to Customers
We are grateful to Ford Motor Company for its continued investment in leadership across its dealer network. Programs like Rising Leaders demonstrate Ford’s commitment to supporting dealerships not just as businesses, but as organizations made up of people who serve their communities every day.
For Queen City Ford, this partnership strengthens our ability to grow responsibly and sustainably. It ensures that as we move forward, we do so with leaders who are equipped to guide our team through change while staying true to our core values.
Most importantly, this investment ultimately benefits you our customers. Leadership development helps us build a stronger, more consistent team that is committed to trust, transparency, and long-term relationships.
Looking Ahead
Josh’s participation in the Rising Leaders program is one step in our ongoing journey to be better, better leaders, better teammates, and better partners to our customers. As he continues through the remaining sessions, we are excited about the ideas, insights, and strategies he will bring back to our dealership.
Thank you for choosing Queen City Ford and for being part of our continued journey forward. Your trust motivates us to keep investing in the people and leadership that make a difference every day.
