Fred Beans, founder and president of Fred Beans Automotive Group, recently became the third recipient ever of the Ford Motor Company’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beans purchased his first dealership, a Ford store, 50 years ago. That same dealership, Fred Beans Ford of Doylestown, remains at the heart of the Beans operation, which has grown to include 30 dealerships - eight of which are Ford stores - and additional automotive-related operations.
Representatives from Ford visited Beans to personally deliver news of the rare Lifetime Achievement Award. “Fred, you truly embody the spirit of dedication, the drive for innovation and the power of partnership that defines our Ford family,” said Megan Pallischeck Carlini, general manager of the East Market Area with Ford Motor Company. “Your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have truly propelled your own remarkable success.”
The official award ceremony took place at the Ford Dealer Meeting in Las Vegas and was preceded by a video tribute to Beans featuring members of the Beans family and the Fred Beans Automotive Group team, as well as a community partner who shared Beans’ dedication to giving back and fellow Ford dealers who sought mentorship from Beans and built friendships with him over the years.
Bob Tasca III of Tasca Ford shared words of wisdom from Beans. “I’ll never forget him telling me: ‘The only true, sustainable competitive advantage in business is leadership; don’t ever forget that.’ And, I never will.”
Sam Pack, president of Sam Pack Auto Group, shared the impact of Beans’ effective leadership: “He has 30 dealerships, 21 brands, collision centers, a world class dealer-owned wholesale parts operation. That puts Fred in a class that I would tell you is exceptional.”
Beans’ daughter Beth Beans Gilbert, who serves as vice president of the Fred Beans Automotive Group, traveled with her husband, Chris Gilbert, chief operating officer, to formally accept the Lifetime Achievement Award in Las Vegas on her father’s behalf.
Both also appeared in the tribute video with their son, Christopher Gilbert, who has joined the family business as assistant service manager of Fred Beans operations in Abington. They all remarked how special it is to have the family committed to continuing Beans’ legacy.
“It’s exciting for him, because I hope he knows that he’ll go on; it will go on,” said Beans Gilbert. Her sisters, Barbara Beans and Jennifer Beans Keiser, also hold leadership roles within the company and have grown into their respective roles following the lead of their father.
“It’s so fun to celebrate a man who just mentored so many people, taught us so much, helped us all grow and just followed his dream to be a legend in the automobile business; and that he is,” concluded Beans Gilbert.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, Beans has received additional meaningful recognitions from Ford, including induction into the 2022 Class of the Ford Motor Company’s Top Volume Dealer Hall of Fame.