HispanicBusiness

Ford Motor Co. has awarded Gus Machado with a Salute to Dealers award for his outstanding corporate citizenship and his contributions to the community, according to a news release. Machado, owner of a pair of Ford dealerships in South Florida, is one of only six winners chosen from more than 8,500 Ford and Lincoln dealers around the world.

Machado will receive the award at a ceremony Feb. 3 preceding the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

His philanthropy is primarily focused on increasing health and education awareness in the Miami area. He created the Gus Machado Family Foundation to contribute to organizations that promote cancer research, healthy living and youth education, according to the release.

During 25 years of service, Machado has raised more than $2.5 million for local Miami charities and causes. He also co-founded Calle Ocho, a Kiwanis event in Little Havana that celebrates the Paseo Carnaval, and hosts community fairs to provide children with school supplies.

The Salute to Dealers program is guided by Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford's board of directors, and was launched in 2001. The winners were selected from a field of 100 nominees located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.