1955
In the mid-1950s, Mr. Gaudin sold his Ford store in Salinas and moved to Newport Beach where he opened up Gaudin Ford in Buena Park, just minutes from the popular attraction, Knots berry Farm. His son-in-law, Don Ackerman, shared his ambition to help run the family business. A few years after working for a Long Beach, Calif. dealership and only after demonstrating his aptitude as a business partner, Mr. Gaudin purchased a Ford dealership in Las Vegas and allowed his son-in-law to manage it. Mr. Ackerman devoted the next 40-plus years to the family business’ success.