Barry County has been a part of our family for as long as I can remember. My older sister lived in the area, and when I was young coming to the Ozarks created my love for the water, boating and fishing. It had been my dream to retire here one day and the business has made that possible. I tell everyone that I may be new to Barry County, but Barry County is not new to me.

The real difference in our operation is our people. I appreciate the dedication and direction from both past and present employees who are devoted to doing their jobs right. They are the ones who make this business worthwhile. So many of my customers and people who make our dealership successful have become like family.

HISTORY — My introduction to the automobile business was by the late Mr. Charles R. (Bob) Coker in Alva, Oklahoma in the late 1960’s.

I owned and operated a Wholesale/Retail oil business in Alva and did detail work for Coker Motor Company in order to keep the evening shift of my employees in work. Coker talked me into coming to work for him at the local Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Dealership, and I joined his operation in early 1969. I sold cars, managed his service department and later the sales operation.

I owe Mr. Coker for my education in the automotive industry. Later he became a financial participant in helping me get started on my own. We owned several dealerships together, including one in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Along with being business partners, we spent a lot of time traveling together, fishing, hunting, boating, and playing. Bob lost a long and hard fight with Alzheimer's disease and passed away in August of 2002. I lost a friend, a business partner and my best advisor. I still miss the opportunity to call him when there is a business decision to be made.

I want to recognize and thank the other notable mentors in my life including Lee Hofmeier, Jim Bertoglio, the late Herschel Roach, and the other great dealers that I gleaned bits of wisdom and understanding from. Some of my best financial advice came from a former GMAC rep named Jim Baustian, who taught me the financial end of doing business right.

LES JACOBS FORD MERCURY (LJFM) supports many community activities and events in Barry County and the surrounding area. I believe in giving back as much as possible. My greatest honor was receiving the highest and most prestigious award that the City of Wellington, Kansas offers, the Distinguished Service Award. I know of other people in that community who are as deserving of the award and it is a great honor to join the list of those who have been chosen to receive it.