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African Americans On Wheels Names Ford VP 'Exec of the Year'

6 January 1999

Ford VP Named Ed Davis 'Executive of the Year' by African Americans On Wheels

    DETROIT, Jan. 6 -- Ronald Goldsberry, global vice president
for Ford Customer Service Division, Ford Motor Company , will receive
the African Americans On Wheels (AA0W) magazine's "Edward Davis Executive of
the Year" award at the Urban Wheel Awards ceremony, (formerly the Golden Wheel
Awards).  The event will be held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, Thursday, January 7, 1999.
This event precedes the public opening of the North American International
Auto Show at Cobo Center.
    The magazine annually gives the award to an African American executive for
their achievements in the automotive industry and for their efforts that
"paved the way" for other African Americans the way Ed Davis did as the first
African American auto dealer in 1940.
    The winners are selected by a panel of automotive journalists including:
Earle Eldridge, USA Today; Kathy Jackson and Frank Washington, Automotive
News; Warren Brown, The Washington Post; Ron Stodghill II, Time magazine;
Rosville Embry, Dallas auto freelance writer; Winfred Cross, North
Carolina-based auto freelance writer and Blair Walker, Baltimore-based auto
writer.
    Goldsberry has been global vice president of Ford Customer Service
Division since January 1, 1997.  In this position, he directs Ford's worldwide
parts sales, service, dealership marketing and merchandising, dealer training
and customer satisfaction initiatives.  He joined the Division as general
marketing and sales manager in 1991, and was named vice president and general
manager of the Division in 1994.
    Goldsberry recently was named to a new position, vice president - Global
Service Business Strategy, effective January 1, 1999.  In this capacity, he
will be responsible for developing and implementing Ford's aftermarket and
service business strategies worldwide.
    "Goldsberry's achievements in the automotive industry and overall
community involvement exemplify the high standards of the award," said Randi
Payton, publisher of AAOW.  "His success and commitment serve as benchmarks
for achievement and responsibility in the industry."
    Goldsberry is fervent about working with enterprising African American
employees at Ford and regularly visits colleges and universities to speak to
young students.  He takes a personal interest in helping students reach their
goals and is currently paying tuition for a young woman in Africa.  He was
recently featured in the Detroit News for his commitment to the Detroit Area
Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) where he tutors students in math and
science.
    Goldsberry holds a bachelor of science in chemistry from Central State
University, a master of business administration degree from Stanford
University and a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from Michigan State
University.
    African Americans On Wheels is a 48-page supplement to 40 black newspapers
and zoned editions of three daily publications: The Detroit News and Detroit
Free Press and the Washington Post.  Visit http://www.automag.com for more
information.