Bill Buckingham served for 24 years in various roles with Mike Davidson Ford. During his 13-year tenure as Executive Vice President, Mike Davidson Ford attained the top market share in Northeast Florida and a top-five-percent national ranking for sales and profit among Ford dealerships nationwide. Under his leadership, Mike Davidson Ford achieved President’s Award status, Ford Motor Company’s highest recognition for sales and customer service. He directly supervised a $6.5 million facility renovation in 2012–13 and successfully consummated the sale of the business to Asbury Automotive Group in 2015.
As Executive Vice President of Mike Davidson Management, Mr. Buckingham coordinated numerous other corporate ventures, including two pre-owned vehicle retail outlets; Standard Finance, Inc., an automotive finance company whose loan portfolio was ultimately packaged and sold; Consumer Services of Florida, Inc., an automobile service warranty company regulated by the State of Florida Insurance Commissioner and later sold in 2010; and a Sterling (Freightliner) heavy-truck franchise sold in 2005.
Mr. Buckingham has more than 35 years of varied professional, personal, and civic experience. During his tenure with Mike Davidson Ford, he served two terms as President of the Jacksonville Auto Dealers Association, served on the Board of the Florida Auto Dealers Association, and represented the National Auto Dealers Association as a delegate in Washington, D.C. He served three terms on the Ford Dealer Advertising Fund Board of Directors and played a pivotal role in the contribution of millions of dollars to worthy causes throughout Northeast Florida.
A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Mr. Buckingham received a BS Engineering degree from Duke University and an MS Engineering degree from the University of Florida. After graduation from UF, he was instrumental in developing a consulting firm specializing in coastal, oceanographic, and marine engineering. He remains certified as a Registered Professional Engineer with the State of Florida. Mr. Buckingham serves on the Board of Directors for First Atlantic Bank and is a member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Jacksonville Rotary. He currently resides in Ponte Vedra Beach and is a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. In his leisure time, he enjoys water sports, golf, travel, reading, and time with his family.