Launch Dreams, Fuel Futures: Inside McNicholas High School’s 2026 Rocket Raffle

Some places become part of a community because of where they are. Others become part of a community because of the people who have spent generations building something there. For nearly 70 years, the Ford Sharonville Transmission Plant has been both. Located just outside Cincinnati in Sharonville, Ohio, the facility has been part of Ford's manufacturing story since 1958. Over the decades, technology has changed, vehicles have changed and the automotive industry has changed dramatically. Yet the dedication of the people working inside the plant has remained a constant. That history was on our minds when Beechmont Ford had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Sharonville Transmission Plant Family Day. As a Ford dealer, we are proud to represent the finished vehicles that eventually make their way to our showroom. But visiting Sharonville gave us an opportunity to appreciate the much bigger story behind those vehicles. It is a story built on people, craftsmanship and pride. Where the Story Began When the Sharonville plant opened its doors in 1958, it began producing Ford-O-Matic three-speed transmissions. The automotive world looked very different then. Vehicles were becoming increasingly important to American families, manufacturing was entering a new era, and Ford was continuing to expand its production capabilities. Sharonville became an important part of that growth. Over the years, the facility has produced millions of transmissions and components and has continually adapted to meet the needs of a changing automotive industry. Today, the plant encompasses approximately 2.4 million square feet on a 182-acre site. But the size of the facility isn't what makes Sharonville remarkable. Its history does. Generation after generation of employees have walked through those doors and contributed to the products that ultimately become part of Ford vehicles on roads across America. An Industry That Never Stops Changing Automotive manufacturing requires constant evolution. What worked decades ago may not work today. New technology requires new skills. Production processes become more sophisticated. Customer expectations continue to change. Through all of those changes, Sharonville has continued to evolve. The plant's current production includes 6R140 and 10R80 finished transmissions, as well as gears used in several Ford transmission programs. For someone looking at a new Ford on a dealership lot, those components may be easy to overlook. But they are an important reminder that every vehicle represents an enormous amount of engineering, manufacturing and human effort. Before a customer ever sits behind the wheel, thousands of people have already contributed to that vehicle. Sharonville is one part of that incredible process. A Legacy Measured in People The history of a manufacturing facility can be measured in years, square footage and production numbers. But we think the most meaningful measurement is people. Today, more than 2,000 employees work at the Sharonville plant. That means more than 2,000 people bringing their skills, experience and dedication to work. It also means thousands of family members, friends and community members connected to the facility. That is what makes a place like Sharonville so much more than a factory. It is a community. And Family Day offered a wonderful reminder of that. A Day Worth Celebrating Being invited to Family Day gave our team the opportunity to experience the pride that exists within the Sharonville community. It was a chance for employees to share their workplace with their families and for everyone to celebrate the people who make the plant what it is. For Mt. Orab Ford, it was also an opportunity to say something simple but important: We see you. We appreciate you. And we are proud of what you do. We sell Ford vehicles every day, but we don't build them ourselves. The people at Sharonville and thousands of other Ford facilities around the country are the ones doing that work. Their dedication is something we are grateful for. Proud of the Past. Excited for the Future. There is a reason the word "legacy" matters when talking about Sharonville. A legacy isn't simply something that belongs to the past. It is something people continue. Every employee who walks through the doors today becomes part of a story that began in 1958. Every transmission produced adds another chapter. Every family connected to the plant becomes part of its community. And every Ford vehicle that eventually benefits from the work happening inside Sharonville carries a small piece of that legacy with it. That is something worth being proud of. Thank You for Building the Future Mt. Orab Ford is proud to represent Ford in our community. We are proud to sell Ford vehicles. And after our visit to Sharonville Family Day, we have an even greater appreciation for the people who make those vehicles possible. To everyone at the Sharonville Transmission Plant, thank you for being part of Ford's story and for continuing to write the next chapter. Your work matters. Your dedication matters. And the legacy you are building matters. We are proud to represent the finished product, but we are even more proud to recognize the people behind it. Nearly seven decades of history brought Ford and Sharonville to where they are today. The people who work there are what will carry that story forward.

The automotive industry is changing quickly, and today's dealership looks very different from the traditional image many people may have in mind. That was one of the topics discussed when Mark Williams Auto Group recently returned to the University of Cincinnati to meet with freshman business students. Charlie Watson, Marketing Director for Mark Williams Auto Group, and Josh Williams, General Manager of Queen City Ford and Vice President of Mark Williams Auto Group, shared their experiences and provided students with an inside look at the business of automotive retail. During the afternoon, the students learned about the various components that make up a dealership operation. Sales, service, marketing, customer communication, lead management, and other departments all play important roles, and each must work together to create a successful customer experience. Charlie and Josh also discussed the business side of automotive retail, including where dealership revenue comes from and how dealerships work to attract customers in an increasingly competitive marketplace. One of the biggest areas of change is technology. Artificial intelligence is becoming a growing part of the automotive business. Dealerships are exploring ways to use AI for marketing, communication, lead follow-up, data analysis, customer engagement, and internal processes. As these tools continue to develop, businesses must determine how to incorporate technology while still maintaining the human side of customer service. That made the topic particularly relevant for a group of business students preparing to enter the workforce. The students had plenty of questions throughout the discussion, creating an interactive conversation rather than simply a presentation. Charlie and Josh were able to share real examples from their careers while giving students a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes at an automotive group. The visit also connects directly to a project the students are completing for their coursework. Students will be conducting a SWOT analysis of Mark Williams Auto Group, examining the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. They will then present their findings to the group. The project gives students an opportunity to take concepts they are learning in class and apply them to an actual business. It also gives Mark Williams Auto Group the chance to hear fresh observations from students who are looking at the company from an outside perspective. Experiences like this are an important part of connecting education with the business world. Students can learn about an industry directly from professionals working in it, while businesses can engage with the next generation of talent and hear new ideas. Mark Williams Auto Group is grateful to the University of Cincinnati for inviting the team back to campus. We enjoyed the conversation, appreciated the students' thoughtful questions, and are looking forward to seeing the results of their SWOT analysis.

When Josh Williams was selected to join Ford Motor Company's Rising Leaders program earlier this year, it marked the beginning of an exciting opportunity. The selection process was rigorous, the expectations were high, and the experience promised to challenge participants in new ways. Now, after months of learning, collaboration, and personal development, Josh has officially graduated from the program and returned with experiences that will influence both his leadership journey and the future of the Mark William's Automotive Group. While earning a place in the program was certainly an achievement, completing it provided something even more valuable. It offered an opportunity to step outside the day to day responsibilities of dealership operations and gain a broader perspective on leadership, business growth, and the future of the automotive industry. Rising Leaders brings together a carefully selected group of future dealership leaders from across the country. With only twenty participants in each cohort, every individual is chosen because of their accomplishments, leadership potential, and commitment to professional growth. Throughout the experience, participants engaged with Ford executives, explored operational strategies, discussed industry trends, and developed leadership skills that extend far beyond the showroom floor. For Josh, one of the most memorable aspects of the program was the caliber of the people involved. "Being a part of the Rising Leaders program has been the best experience of my professional career," Josh said. "I have been a part of some great programs in the past and I can confidently say this was the most talented group of individuals I have ever worked with." Those relationships quickly became one of the defining elements of the experience. The program created an environment where participants could openly exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another's experiences. Every conversation offered a different perspective and every session provided opportunities to expand both knowledge and understanding. Leadership development is often associated with training and education, but some of the most meaningful growth happens through relationships. Being surrounded by ambitious, talented professionals creates opportunities to learn in ways that books and presentations simply cannot replicate. Josh found tremendous value in those connections. "I made lifelong connections with the people in this program as well as executives at Ford Motor Company." Those relationships will continue long after the program's conclusion, creating a network of leaders committed to helping one another succeed. Beyond the connections, the experience offered participants unique access to Ford's culture, innovation efforts, and future vision. Exclusive tours and immersive learning opportunities provided a deeper understanding of the company's history while also highlighting where the industry is headed in the years ahead. For the Mark William's Automotive Group, the significance of this achievement extends beyond one individual. Every investment in leadership ultimately benefits the entire organization. Strong leaders create stronger teams. Strong teams create better experiences. Better experiences create lasting relationships with customers. That philosophy has always been central to how the Mark William's Automotive Group operates. The lessons gained through Rising Leaders reinforce the importance of continuous improvement and lifelong learning. Regardless of experience level, there is always another opportunity to grow, another perspective to consider, and another way to improve. As Josh completed the program, he returned with more than knowledge. He returned with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and a greater understanding of what it takes to guide an organization into the future. Perhaps most importantly, the experience strengthened his commitment to the Ford brand and the future of the dealership. "I am very proud to be a future Ford dealer and I am excited to carry our Auto Group into the future." Those words reflect the purpose behind programs like Rising Leaders. They are not simply about developing leaders for today. They are about preparing leaders for tomorrow. As we reflect on Josh's journey from selection to graduation, we are reminded that growth is not measured by a single accomplishment. It is measured by the willingness to continue learning, improving, and investing in the future. This chapter may be complete, but the impact of the experience is only beginning.