Doug Sullivan’s passion for cars began with a brand new 1976 Firebird, bought at 17 with money he earned working his first full-time job at CN Railway. Fast forward to today where he’s co-owner and Sales Manager at Bickley Ford, President of the Trillium Automotive Dealer Association, and will have the honour of being President of next year’s Canadian International Auto Show.
He’s had a long career in the industry: the same year he bought that Firebird Doug got a job at Rustbug Centre selling and applying automotive undercoating. He found his niche in car sales in 1981, moving up the ranks and earning national Ford sales awards with the Stockfish Auto Group until the opportunity arose in 2005 to become co-owner of The New Bickley Ford in 2005.
His work ethic was instilled by his parents Doris and Alvin (Sully), both entrepreneurs who “envisioned a bright future in the tourist business after the birth of the Dionne Quintuplets made national news.” They built and operated two tourist camps and owned various fabric stores.
He’s also a believer in supporting community. Bickley Ford has donated or sponsored the Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Port Sydney Winter Carnival, Golf Fore the Girls, the Run for the Cure, the Ontario Winter Games, and the Ontario Parasport Winter Games.
Doug joined the board of the Ontario Automotive Dealers Association in 2008 and calls his involvement with the amalgamation of that organization with the Toronto Dealers Associations one of his greatest career accomplishments. His role as President of the Ontario Automobile Dealers Association enabled him to negotiate the unification of the two associations and provide dealers with a strong voice under the banner of Trillium Automotive Dealer Association (TADA) in 2012. He became president of the association in April 2015, a role that earned him the honour of overseeing the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) for 2017.
“CIAS is Canada’s largest consumer show. Being part of it has literally taken me around the world as we are continually looking for the next best thing to display in Toronto (next year),” said Sullivan. “I’m honoured and proud to represent this industry in what we like to call the Super Bowl of Canada’s auto shows! I feel that after 40 years in this industry that this year and next will become two highlight years that very few will have the chance to experience.”
As TADA President, he hopes to inspire others to follow in his footsteps. “I hope to share with people what it’s like to be in business in a smaller community as well to continue to support our association’s leadership in promoting our industry to youth and those looking for a change. Our industry is a great industry to make a living in and one that is sometimes overlooked – I hope to be part of that change in communicating the opportunities.”
One thing the article does not mention is that Doug is the first President of the TADA who is not from the GTA. It’s quite an accomplishment and well deserved!