Pub. 1 2018-2019 |Issue 4

18 Ed Kenley Ford E d Kenley started his Ford dealership in March 1981, but his wife, Jewel Lee, was already familiar with the industry, and her father was responsible for hiring Ed as a car salesman. Jewel Lee’s father was Jim Knight, who ran a used-car dealership called Knight Motors for most of her childhood. Later, while working at a Chevrolet dealership as a used car manager, he hired Jewel Lee’s future husband. Ed loved the work. He and Jewel Lee spent 10 years setting aside the money they needed for him to be able to buy a dealership. E&M Ford, in Layton, came up for sale in 1981; Layton was Ed’s home town, so they were happy when they were able to buy the franchise. They changed the name to Ed Kenley Ford. Business went well. By 1988, Ed Kenley Ford moved to a new location, just half a mile north of the original one, on 8.5 acres of land. In 1993, the company was ready to expand again, and to add the Truck Corral to the facility. Then Ed and Jewel Lee were in a terrible automobile crash. Ed was killed, and Jewel Lee was critically injured. Her recovery took approximately nine months. She was still in a wheelchair when she went back to work, so she arranged for a regular ride to work and a second wheelchair in her office to make traveling easier. Jewel Lee had worked for the IRS as an accountant, which helped, but she had to get franchise approval, too. Jewel Lee and Brett have expanded the business. In addition to Ed Kenley Ford, they also run The Car Barn, Ed Kenley Investments EKF Custom Accessories, Larson Boats, and Quicklane. Jewel Lee and her son Brett answered the following questions about their experiences. As you have worked at the dealership, what are some of the things you have learned from other members of your family? Jewel Lee: Brett is good at picking talented people and lifting them up. Brett knows that if you expect the best from people, they usually deliver. He is also very kind and respectful of others. Jewel Lee Kenley Brett Kenley