Friendly Ford celebrates 46 years

COURTESY Friendly Ford, which opened April 9, 1970, at 660 N. Decatur Blvd., celebrates its 46th anniversary Saturday. Among the employees who have worked with the dealership for many years are, from left, Service Director Greg Haase (38 years), Parts Director Rob Mancini (39 years) and building maintenance coordinator Frank Mohr (24 years). The employees are shown in a 1970 Ford F100.

Friendly Ford celebrates its 46th anniversary Saturday as the oldest automobile dealership in Las Vegas to remain at the same location for that many years.

Situated at 660 N. Decatur Blvd., the family-owned dealership opened April 9, 1970. There has never been any thought of moving to another site, according to Chairman Ed Olliges.

Olliges said there was nothing in the area when construction of the dealership first began. He said Decatur Boulevard and U.S. Highway 95 were both under construction and Muni Golf Course was off and running between Washington Avenue and Vegas Drive.

“Our slogan was ‘All Roads Lead to Friendly Ford,’” Olliges said of the early days. “The freeway has been one of the biggest reasons for our success. We used to say that Friendly Ford was located in beautiful downtown Charleston Heights.”

At the time of the opening of the dealership, Las Vegas had a population of 226,000. The dealership was the second point location for a Southern Nevada Ford dealership.

Since its opening, Friendly Ford has earned various awards, including the 17th Ford President’s Award for customer service, along with the Partners in Quality Award recognizing “outstanding customer satisfaction through progressive management, dedicated employees and high standards of operational excellence.”

The list of longtime employees is certainly impressive.

Parts Director Rob Mancini was 15½ when he applied for a job at the dealership as a sophomore at Western High School in April of 1977. He recently celebrated his 39th year, while dealership Service Director Greg Haase now has 38 years.

Building maintenance coordinator Frank Mohr and Fleet Manager Bart Peterson each have 24 years with the dealership.

Customer care coordinator Geri Bich has 17 years, sales consultant Larry Davis, a 64-year-old native of Mankato, Minnesota, has 16 years, while sales consultants Randy Block and Joe Nazmi each have about 14 years.

Further information can be found by visiting www.friendlyfordlv.com or by calling the dealership at 702-870-7221.