1974

1974

In 1974, after Mr. Ackerman’s son, Gary, graduated from college, history repeated itself and Gary approached his dad with the same curiosity to be in the car business. Don gave him the same valuable lesson that Mr. Gaudin gave him; he advised Gary to make a choice between moving to either Denver or Southern California – the two fastest growing automotive markets at the time – and get his feet wet. A determined young Gary packed up his minimal belongings and applied for a job with the San Fernando Valley Galpin Ford dealership, owned by Bert Boeckmann, one of the industry’s most successful businessman in the history of selling cars. He was granted the job. After about 18 months, Mr. Ackerman called his son asking him to come back and help run the business. Gary kindly declined the offer because it wasn’t a managerial role that paid more money; instead he enjoyed his freedom and salary and spent four years working for Galpin Ford.