California Ford changes hands

From left, owner and Dealer Principal Steve Sakelaris, owner Mary Sakelaris and former owner/dealer Larry Schenewerk with a new Ford Fusion after completing the documentation necessary to transfer the dealearship to the new owners.
From left, owner and Dealer Principal Steve Sakelaris, owner Mary Sakelaris and former owner/dealer Larry Schenewerk with a new Ford Fusion after completing the documentation necessary to transfer the dealearship to the new owners.

Ownership of California Ford was transferred from long-time local dealer Larry Schenewerk to Steve Sakelaris, owner and Dealer Principal, and Mary Sakelaris, owner, on Monday, June 18.

According to the new owners, no staffing changes are in the works at this time. Schenewerk will continue to be active at the dealership.

The Sakelaris family started Piasa Lincoln Mercury, Alton, Ill., in 1965. According to Mary, her husband ran the dealership until he died in 1995. Steve, their son, not quite 30 at the time, was named Dealer Principal.

For more of this story check out the June 20 issue of the California Democrat.