Sun Media - Index

Sun Media - diference - Index

Meeting Gerry Wood, it’s hard not to be
charmed by his impish smile, warm
brown eyes and hearty Scottish accent.
Perhaps it’s this natural charisma that’s helped the
ambitious Scotsman and Wood Automotive Group
president become a shining example of business success
and community leadership.
Wood has supported an impressive roster of charitable
groups since arriving in Canada nearly 40 years
ago, including the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, United
Way, Children’s Wish Foundation, the Down Syndrome
Research Foundation, Salvation Army and the
Friends of the Flames committee, among others.
He and wife Elaine have sponsored the Woodridge
Golf Tournament for more than two decades, raising
almost $3 million for the Canadian Down Syndrome
Society and the PREP Down Syndrome Learning
School.
“We’ve always believed in giving back, helping
others in the community, because they help us,”
Wood says.
“We make our living, our livelihoods, directly
from that community support.”
Wood’s ties to the automotive industry go back to
his childhood in Glasgow, when his father ran a Ford
dealership that specialized in equipping cars with
hand controls for the disabled.
Helping with the family business at a young age,
Wood showed early signs of the tireless work ethic
and keen business sense that would aid him later on.
His father taught him, “Be innovative and creative,”
“If you give, you get” and “Don’t be afraid to
be a pioneer” — philosophies he lives by to this day.
He left for Canada in 1969, a young man determined
to seek out his own opportunities.
He worked as a sales rep and manager for Maclin
Ford before purchasing a small and struggling dealership
in Vulcan.
He managed to turn the business around, and was
soon successful enough to purchase a second dealership,
Southridge Mercury Ford (now Woodridge
Ford Lincoln).
Since then, Wood’s group has grown to include
Woodridge Body Shop, Crowfoot Village Honda,
Okotoks Ford Lincoln, Cavalcade Auto Acceptance
Corp., Advantage Ford Sales, Concept Kia and Big
4 Motors.
He’s venturing into the RV business (Novak RV
and Diamond RV) as well, and upgrading several
GerryWood
WOOD AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
41
of his dealerships to incorporate the most advanced
technologies available.
His success has inspired him to give back, and the
cause most dear to his heart is Down Syndrome, as
his daughter, Megan, was born with it.
The money Wood, his family and associates have
raised helps provide young people with Down Syndrome
opportunities for education, personal growth
and independence.
“Now we’re able to develop programs for teenagers
and young men and women — not just young
kids,” Wood says.
“The neat thing about what we’re doing here is
that these young people are able to achieve amazing
results — positively wonderful things we never
dreamed they could accomplish.”
Wood says he’s proud of the young woman Megan
has become with the help of her early education,
independent living program and studies at Mount
Royal College.
“As my wife and I approach retirement, we’d like
to spend more time giving back to the community in
various facets,” Wood says.