Ford Honors Woodbury Business Owner for Entrepreneurial Spirit and Creativity
December 27, 2008
(Woodbury, N.Y.) Omar Herrera of Woodbury was one of five lucky small-business owners nationwide who have been recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity by Ford Motor Company. Each of the five was chosen as “Grand Prize winners” in the company’s “Connect with Connect” contest.
Nearly 1,000 small-business owners around the country entered the contest to win a Transit Connect, and wrote on the company’s Web site how they would use the new vehicle to improve their day-to-day operations and explained the short-comings, if any, of their current vehicles: http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect All Five grand-prize winners will receive a customized Transit Connect at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.
Here in Woodbury, New York, Omar Herrera wrote about his small business, The Maid Pros which he started in February 2008. “I’m excited to win this prize because the Transit Connect will help me fulfill my dream of expanding my business. It will allow us to better manage our workers and expand the size of our work force,” said Herrera.
The other grand-prize contest winners are Kimberlee Mitchell of Ladera Ranch, Calif., owner of Boo Boo Busters, Inc., a full-service baby proofing and pet proofing company for family and businesses; Jerry Buffman, of Ann Arbor, Mich., owner of Dummies on the Run, which provides CPR and first aid instruction; Jen Kiblinger of Cincinnati, Ohio, Owner of Circle Trail Inc., a non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs to people with disabilities; and Matthew Wade, Owner of Ten Mile Creek Kayaks of Frisco, Colo., a water safety instructor.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Ford’s first vehicle: The Model T. Henry Ford was seen as one of the most influential entrepreneurs and as such it is fitting to honor that same type of spirit. Some say the Model T changed history; the Transit Connect will change business as usual for small business owners.
Herrera will use the vehicle to transport workers, store supplies, advertise his business with lettering and logos on the side, and to save money at the gas pump. Complementing its car-like fuel economy (19 city / 24 highway), Transit Connect has the toughness of a truck and handles and performs like a car. It also offers interior comforts and safety features.
“From the wide range of small business owners who entered the contest, we’re confident that Transit Connect will serve an unmet need among this strong customer base,” said Damoni Hurt, Transit Connect brand manager.
“I’ve never been fond of big trucks for my business,” said Herrera. “While travelling abroad I saw smaller van-like vehicles, and I thought they would be perfect for my business. One day I hope to have a fleet of these little trucks running around town,” said Herrera.
Transit Connect is built in Kocaeli, Turkey, at Ford’s most advanced light commercial vehicle assembly plant. It will be available in select North American markets in mid-2009 after its debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
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About Ford Motor Company:
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Business
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