CINCINNATI, Ohio — Mark Williams Auto Group is proud to announce that Josh Williams, General Manager of Queen City Ford, has successfully graduated from the Ford Rising Leaders Program, an exclusive leadership development initiative created by Ford Motor Company to prepare and strengthen the next generation of Ford and Lincoln dealership leaders.
Selected from dealerships across the country, Williams was one of only 20 participants chosen to complete the highly competitive, year-long program. The curriculum was designed to deepen participants' understanding of the Ford business while fostering meaningful relationships with fellow dealer leaders and Ford executives.
The program combined in person and virtual learning experiences, providing participants with direct access to Ford's executive leadership team, dealer forums, product immersion opportunities, and exclusive experiences highlighting the company's history, innovation, and long-term vision. Throughout the program, participants collaborated with peers from across the United States while gaining valuable insights into the future of the automotive industry and the Ford dealer network.
"Being selected for Ford Rising Leaders was an incredible honor," said Josh Williams. "The experience allowed me to build relationships with outstanding dealer partners from across the country while learning directly from Ford's leadership team. I return with a deeper understanding of our business, new ideas to better serve our customers, and an even greater confidence in the future of Ford."
Ford Motor Company developed the Rising Leaders Program as part of its ongoing commitment to investing in dealership leadership and ensuring the continued strength of its retail network.
"We created this program to invest in our future leaders and further strengthen our dealer network," said Elena Ford, Chief Dealer Engagement Officer, Ford Motor Company. "The success and positive feedback shared by participants has positioned Rising Leaders for continued growth in the years ahead."
For Mark Williams Auto Group, Williams' graduation reflects the organization's long-standing commitment to leadership development, operational excellence, and delivering an exceptional customer experience across its dealerships.
Ford offers a variety of professional development opportunities for its dealer network, with Rising Leaders serving as its premier leadership program for emerging dealer principals and dealership executives.
About Josh Williams
Josh Williams serves as General Manager of Queen City Ford, a member of the Mark Williams Auto Group, located at 235 West Mitchell Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio. He oversees dealership operations with a focus on customer satisfaction, team development, and continued growth while helping lead one of the region's premier Ford dealerships. Josh is married, the father of two daughters, and resides in Cincinnati, where he is committed to serving both his customers and the community.