by MATT DOHERTY

Introduction

I am with Jeff Shoe of Mooresville Ford. He grew up here where he attended Mooresville High School and played football for legendary Coach Perry Pearson. His dad started the Ford dealership in 1961, and Jeff took it over in 2000.

I first met Jeff in 1989 when I was an assistant basketball coach for Bob McKillop at Davidson College. As a supporter of the athletic program, Jeff gave me a car to drive. It was a used Ford Taurus, white with crushed red velvet seats…and a cigarette burn on the front seat. I took that thing everywhere in search of players for the program. 

Now, Jeff and I work together through my executive coaching practice. I work with men and women looking to continue their leadership development through a peer advisory program I chair at Vistage Worldwide.

What makes Jeff Shoe a significant figure in the Lake Norman community to highlight? Jeff is a classic southern gentleman and a native of Mooresville. Through all the success he has achieved in the car business, it hasn’t impacted his personality. He has remained a humble man of faith that is quick to serve his community. I am blessed to call him a “friend.”  

I caught up with Jeff at his dealership off East Plaza Drive where we discussed family, faith, Ford and a few other things!

Matt: 

Great to see you. Mooresville Ford has been an important part of the Lake Norman business community for many years. You support and lead many initiatives in the area like the North Carolina Racing Hall of Fame event in downtown Mooresville this fall, numerous chamber events including being the title sponsor for their annual business luncheon. Talk a bit about those and others you support, and why it’s so important to you to do so.  

Jeff: 

I watched my dad spend his life constantly supporting our community. He just cared. Being supportive of our community is Mooresville Ford’s way of giving back and keeping my dad’s caring compassion alive. We contribute to a number of nonprofits in the community in addition to those you mentioned. Others include being title sponsor of the 2023 Christian Mission Turkey Trot and working with the Mooresville Graded School District. One of the ways we support the school district is by providing the Teacher of the Year with a vehicle. 

Matt: 

If you could go back in time and relive one event as a youngster growing up in Mooresville, what would that be? What was that moment like for you?

Jeff: 

Mooresville was a simple, quiet town to grow up in. High school was fun, and my closet friends today are the people I grew up with. That’s pretty special to me. From my late teens to my early 20s, a lot of my free time was spent on Lake Norman. No crowds whenever you were on the lake, weekends or not. Peaceful and fun.

Matt: 

How has Mooresville changed from that time? How has it stayed the same?

Jeff: 

I guess the popular answer to how it has changed would be a question. Where did all the traffic come from? The Mooresville-Lake Norman area just isn’t a secret anymore. Our wonderful community has been discovered.

As for how it has remained the same, our downtown area still has some of the charm it had decades ago. That area has been re-vitalized with many new businesses and leaders. It’s a joy to still see smiling faces downtown.

Matt: 

Besides your mom and dad, who made the biggest impact in your life and how?

Jeff: 

Matt, for most of my early and middle years in this business, it was mainly my dad. I watched how he treated people. He cared for our employees and customers alike. I learned the true meaning of perseverance from him. There were plenty of tough, lean years in a younger Mooresville. In addition to my dad, my business partner, Junie Michael, has made a big influence in my life. Like my dad, he taught me the true meaning of success. He is a man of integrity and ethical business practices. These two men influenced me greatly, and I’m most grateful for them.

Matt: 

Did you always dream of following your dad and becoming the Ford dealer in Mooresville, or was there a pivotal event that led you to where you are today?

Jeff:
After I graduated from college, I thought I’d work at the dealership for a few years and see how things might work out. It wasn’t long after graduation that it became clear to me that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to become a Ford dealer. In 2000, my dad retired, and Mr. Michael came on board. We became partners at that time.

Matt:

What are some of the challenges in taking over from your dad, and how did you manage to overcome those difficulties?

Jeff: 

I think one of the biggest challenges I encountered was earning our employees’ respect. I believe you do that by showing up every day and also by always having their backs. It is essential to support them in every way possible. Mooresville Ford would not be where it is today, a President Award winning dealership, without our dedicated team members. We are proud to have many team members who have been with us for decades.

Matt Doherty is a longtime Mooresville resident, nationally recognized motivational speaker, best-selling author and media personality. He guides corporations, C-suite managers, sales executives and business and sports coaches to develop their leadership skills and team dynamics. Learn more at DohertyCoaching.com.