World Class Automotive Group and Reed Family Enterprises are s pleased to announce that Shelby Reed, President, has been named one of Automotive News’ 40 Under 40 for 2021.
For the 10th year, Automotive News, one of the largest publications in the industry, selected its new class of 40 Under 40 in auto retailing. This honor recognizes the best and brightest in the automotive industry. “These are the stars of tomorrow presented to you today,” said Jason Stein, Publisher of Automotive News. “They are the achievers, the difference makers and the ones to watch in the future as our retail industry evolves.”
The nominees came from a vast array of disciplines from all over the nation, including leaders, managers, administrators, etc. “I am truly humbled to be recognized among my peers as one of the top 40, and delighted to learn that I was nominated by several of my esteemed colleagues,” said Ms. Reed, who has literally grown up in the automotive industry learning from the ground up. The Reed family founded the World Class Automotive Group, one of the largest independently owned auto groups based out of Texas.
Since 2014, she has served in various roles throughout Reed Family Enterprises’ operations beginning with the sales and acquisition division of Starbase Aviation. In 2019, Ms. Reed was promoted to President. Under her leadership, the group has successfully navigated the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
“The coronavirus pandemic was a challenging way to start my position as president of the company.” Ms. Reed shared. “Here I was in a new position having to confront a very unique, unprecedented challenge, unlike anything even seasoned business leaders have ever faced, forcing a complete and total abrupt change of how employees work, customers behave, and how levels of production function.”
Not only did World Class Automotive Group continue to thrive and succeed, Ms. Reed was instrumental in creating the COVID Communication Connection for the organization and overseeing the protocol set for the company based on business and customer needs, as well as county, state, and CDC guidelines.
In addition, Ms. Reed led the successful launch of the new six-story luxury Planet Lincoln Dallas Love Field dealership, a new commercial service center, and renaming of two dealerships aligning all of the Randall Reed locations under the Planet-branded name.
“When I became president, a goal I set for myself was to align our dealership group with the already Planet-branded name across Texas, creating the ‘Power of the Planets.’ This would allow for total branding and marketing synergy,” said Ms. Reed. “Within a couple months under the re-branding, we quickly began experiencing a lift in sales, and we’re projecting additional growth in 2021.”
During uncertain times and in tandem with changes, Ms. Reed and the World Class Automotive team completed 2020 with great success. Not only did it rank #62 out of the Top 150 Dealership Groups, the group garnered consecutive top honors, including multiple Triple Crowns, President’s Awards, and recognition as top volume leaders.
“Sherry and I are incredibly proud for Shelby being name to the 2021 Class of Automotive News’ 40 Under 40,” said Randall Reed, Owner and CEO. “She is incredibly intelligent, talented, hard-working, insightful, forward thinking, and always keeps the customer and our award-winning team in mind and at the core of all we do,” he added. “Down the road, when I pass the torch along, I know she will continue to shine bright in providing Planet’s unique and innovative automotive experience that is out of this world.”
Ms. Reed is a Magnum Cum Laude graduate in Business Finance from Santa Clara University and holds an MBA from SMU Cox School of Business. She graduated from the National Automotive Dealers Association Academy. Ms. Reed is a member of the Leading Women Network and NCM Lincoln Manufacture 20 Group. In addition, she is an active participant in numerous community and civic organizations, including serving as a board member of the Light Up to Live Foundation and devoting her time supporting youth, education, first responders, and veterans.
About World Class Automotive Group
World Class Automotive Group is owned by Randall, Sherry and Shelby Reed. The family-owned business is comprised of several multi-award-winning dealerships throughout Texas, including: Planet Ford in Spring, Planet Ford in Humble, Planet Lincoln in Spring, Planet Ford 635 in Garland, Planet Ford Dallas Love Field in Dallas and Planet Lincoln Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas. Learn more at www.ReedHasit.com.
