Bradford Randall of Fort Smith, Arkansas is the 4th generation owner of Randall Ford and cares deeply for the community he serves. His family first opened the dealership in 1908 with business partner Paul Sheridan, selling the Ford Model T on Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith. In 1934 Clyde Randall Sr. became majority owner, and was succeeded by Clyde Randall Jr. in 1952. Clyde Randall Jr. ran the dealership with his son Brad Randall until 1997, when Brad became sole owner of the store. Bradford Randall proudly represents the next generation of Randall Ford’s legacy in Fort Smith. Attending the University of Central Arkansas Economics program, Bradford’s education background is in Business but became focused on the Automotive Industry with the completion of the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy in 2008. Bradford felt fortunate to have entered the industry during this time, as the “Great Recession” taught dealers how to survive in a slowing economy and adopt best practices for running a business under tough circumstances. Bradford fulfilled roles as a Service Advisor, Auto Detailer, Parts Counterperson, and Internet Sales Consultant before being offered the position as General Manager in November of 2008. As General Manager, Bradford saw the need to become an early adopter of Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center and opened the integrated facility that year. He also attended Quick Lane Immersion Training, the Dealership Profitability Seminar in 2009, Credit Acceptance University Training in 2010, and Zurich North America Finance & Insurance Training in 2011. He also went to Dearborn, Michigan in 2011 to attend the New Dealer Executive Conference. In 2012 Bradford completed the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals Course and F&I Compliance Training shortly thereafter. By 2013, Bradford became an early adopter again with the Ford Consumer Experience Movement, with the intention of improving employee satisfaction and customer loyalty. The program was highly successful, with TMES surveys showing improvement and customer satisfaction reaching an all-time high with the conclusion of CEM in 2017. Before and during this time, Bradford set up and managed multiple Internet BDC Centers, while training the Sales Department’s Internet Managers. From 2009 until 2012, he also personally conducted daily sales training for all Sales Consultants. Bradford also utilized Ford’s Facility Improvement Program in 2016 to begin a complete renovation and remodel of the family Dealership. No stranger to community involvement, Bradford began hosting drive events including the Mustang 50 th Anniversary Pony Drive, which featured 150 Mustangs travelling across America with a stop at Randall Ford in 2014. He later hosted Drive 4UR School and Drive 4UR Community Events that helped raise much needed funds for multiple local schools and animal shelters. Bradford personally helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity. For three consecutive years, while mirroring national Ford Sponsorships, Bradford sponsored events with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and conducted speaking engagements for the local Paint the Park Pink event. Alongside his service to community, Bradford has served as Regional Vice Chairman for the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as a Guest Speaker and Dealer Panel contributor for multiple Credit Acceptance Seminars. Today, and with his role at Randall Ford, he enjoys being a member of the Antique Automobile Club, a Board of Director for the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association, and Chairman for Fort Smith’s Bicentennial Committee.
