After nearly three decades in the automotive industry, Tom Broadway has come full circle.
Broadway, the new general manager of DeMontrond Ford in Cleveland, officially stepped into the role recently, bringing with him years of experience, deep ties to the Cleveland community and a passion for people that has defined his career from the start.
Though he grew up in the Bellaire area of southwest Houston and has lived in Spring for the past 35 years, Broadway said Cleveland has long felt like a second home.
“It’s hometown,” he said during a recent interview with Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines. “You go to restaurants in town, and you see people that you’ve worked with or done business with. It’s truly a community.”
Broadway’s path into the car business was not something he originally planned. After suffering a back injury while working for FedEx, his four sisters encouraged him to try sales.
“I guess I’m the talker of the family,” he joked.
Persistence paid off. Broadway repeatedly visited Spring Creek Ford asking for a job until the dealership finally hired him. That opportunity launched his career.
Over the years, Broadway worked for several dealerships, including Planet Ford, Hillcrest Ford and Dodge Chrysler Jeep, before spending the last decade with Martin Chevrolet in Cleveland. He briefly retired before realizing he still had more to give — and that he missed the business.
“I missed the car business,” Broadway said. “And then being able to come back to the Cleveland area was just extra special because I really love this area.”
Broadway said some of the most rewarding years of his career were spent in Cleveland, where he enjoyed mentoring employees and watching them grow professionally.
“I get more joy out of seeing people succeed and move up in the business,” he said. “I like to think of myself more as a teacher than a leader.”
Now at DeMontrond Ford, Broadway hopes to continue building a family-oriented culture while strengthening the dealership’s involvement in the community.
“DeMontrond is getting back into it and really understands that if we’re going to work here, we’re going to participate and be involved,” he said.
Broadway said the dealership plans to continue sponsoring local events, including Dairy Day festivities and community programs such as Hometown Hero events. He also hinted at major changes coming to the dealership itself.
According to Broadway, plans are underway for a complete rebuild of the dealership facility at its current location along U.S. 59. The new dealership is expected to include a state-of-the-art service department with climate-controlled work areas for technicians.
“It’s going to be a nice, beautiful facility for people to work at,” he said.
Broadway hopes the upgrades will help attract a new generation of Ford-certified technicians, especially local students interested in automotive careers.
“If you’re aspiring to become a Ford mechanic, reach out to us,” he said.
While the auto industry continues evolving with advanced technology and electric vehicles, Broadway believes customer relationships remain the most important part of the business.
“If you build the trust, the sales will happen,” he said. “We want everybody to know we’re very transparent.”
Broadway emphasized that today’s car-buying process has changed dramatically as consumers shop online and compare prices before ever stepping onto a lot. He said DeMontrond Ford focuses on straightforward pricing and customer education to create a stress-free buying experience.
“We want it to be an experience — a DeMontrond experience,” he said.
As Cleveland continues to grow, Broadway believes the city will retain the close-knit feel that first drew him to the area.
“Cleveland’s going to continue to grow and get bigger and stronger,” he said. “But I believe the community’s always going to stay tight.”
For Broadway, the opportunity to return to Cleveland is about far more than selling vehicles.
“It’s never about where you are,” he said. “It’s who you’re with.”
To listen to the full interview with Tom Broadway for Headlines and Heartlines, click the link below: