Steve Chipman has always made giving back a key part of being a car dealer, and to be honoured for that has overwhelmed him.
Chipman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Birchwood Automotive Group that his late father, Robert, started 60 years ago, received Ford Motor Company’s Salute to Dealers Awards for contributions to their communities in 2022.
Each year since 2001, Ford picks three American dealers and three international global dealers for the award. Sixty nominees were put forward from Ford dealerships worldwide.
“When I got the phone call I was speechless – and this doesn’t happen to me too much,” said Chipman in an interview with Canadian auto dealer. “I was so surprised and so honoured. When I started out as a schoolteacher and my dad owned a car dealership a long time ago, I never expected to be in the position I am today. When I did get back in the car business, I was a lawyer and I never thought my life would unfold as it has. I keep shaking myself saying, ‘how did I get here?’”
The 2022 award winners were saluted at the NADA show in January. The recipients from 2021 and 2020 were also in attendance because they were denied a chance to be formally honoured because of COVID.
“I was the second-last guy to give a speech and everybody said what I wanted to say basically,” said Chipman. “Car dealers do this because it’s the right thing to do to give back. We’ve all been blessed with all sorts of benefits in our life. I thank my staff. I say to them, ‘you have made this possible.’ It’s not about Steve Chipman. It’s about the whole Birchwood Group.”
His father believed the winners of the world are those that give.
“I’m just tagging along with what my whole family is doing in the community in various different aspects,” said Chipman.
Chipman has been active as a member of the United Way Winnipeg Advisory Council, co-ordinator for the Immaculate Conception Drop-In Centre that provides free weekly meals to underprivileged children and adults, the Gonzaga Middle School that strives to empower low-income, vulnerable youth, and Rossbrook House, a 24-hour neighbourhood drop-in centre for people ages six to 24.
“How can we help kids who aren’t as lucky as others?” said Chipman. “It’s helping those who need a hand. I am where I am because I’ve been able to associate with like-minded people who have done a lot of work and I’m able to contribute where I can. It’s a cycle. You receive something and you give it away, and when you give it away you receive something else. If you hoard things and keep it to yourself, it doesn’t grow. There is a good feeling about being able to give.
“I received a lot in my life. I never thought I would have this much in my life—that my life would be so rich—but you’ve got to pass it on. It’s just a privilege to represent our group, represent the Ford dealers and dealers in general in Canada.”
