About Rick Ford
Experience That Earns Trust
Rick Ford built his career by rebuking trends and shortcuts in favor of taking care of people, building durable operations, and making disciplined decisions.
Over more than forty-five years, Rick has worked in nearly every seat of a capital‑intensive business: frontline operator, general manager, CEO, investor, and strategic partner. That breadth of experience gives him a rare ability to see growth decisions from all sides of the table.
From Operator to Builder
Rick’s career began at the ground level—washing windshields, pumping gas, and learning firsthand that effort, consistency, and trust compound over time. Those early lessons shaped a leadership philosophy centered on accountability, culture, and long‑term thinking.
As founder, president, and CEO of RFJ Auto Partners, Rick grew the company from a small team into one of the largest privately held automotive dealership groups in the United States.
Under his leadership:
RFJ generated more than $3.5 billion in annual revenue
The company expanded across multiple markets and brands
Investors realized a 4.8x return
RFJ ultimately merged with Sonic Automotive in a $750 million transaction
But for Rick, the merger was never just about his exit. He set out to build an organization that worked because of its people, not at their expense.