CCU Names 2019 Values-Aligned Executives
Colorado Christian University honored Douglas and Linda McDonald, owners of the McDonald Automotive Group, with the Values-Aligned Executives award during the 2019 Values-Aligned Leadership Summit.
Douglas McDonald is CEO and chairman of the board of McDonald Automotive Group, a family-owned group of six dealerships and collision center in Littleton, Colorado. He is a second generation auto dealer. The couple has seen their family-owned and operated business grow tremendously over more than five decades.
The Values-Aligned Leadership Summit (VALS) is an annual event designed to allow undergraduate students to learn from the experience and perspective of various academic, community, and business leaders. VALS was developed by a group of committed business executives who had a desire to see CCU students equipped with the ethical framework necessary to be successful in the business world, while also maintaining exemplary values. The summit was designed to provide a unique opportunity to mix small groups of professionals with undergraduate, adult, and graduate students.
Douglas McDonald originally studied geology at Oklahoma University before making the switch to a business degree with a vision of owning a Volkswagen (VW) business. In 1964, he and his father were awarded the third Volkswagen franchise in Denver. That VW store has grown from one new car franchise, to six — VW, Volvo, two Mazda stores, Audi and Hyundai.
Douglas McDonald has represented his industry locally by serving as the chairman of the board, vice chairman and district director of the Colorado Auto Dealers Association; nationally, he served twice as the chairman of the U.S. Volkswagen Dealer Council; Time Magazine , in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association, awarded him the 1991 Quality Dealer Award for Colorado; past president of the Arapahoe Kiwanis Club; and past president of the Green Oaks Home Owners Association; Board of Trustees at Colorado Christian University and board member of Orchard Road Christian Center and Marilyn Hickey Ministries.
Douglas and Linda McDonald met at Oklahoma University. They married in 1960 and have five adult sons. They are grandparents to 18 grandchildren.
The McDonalds have traveled with Marilyn Hickey on missionary trips to China, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, India, Argentina, and Brazil.
Also honored at the summit were William Martin and Andrew McCabe. Martin, a business major at CCU scheduled to graduate in May, was named the Values-Aligned Student.
McCabe, a 1999 graduate of CCU, was named the Values-Aligned Alumnus. He is the co-founder and president of Exchange Resource Group, a nationwide qualified intermediary specializing in 1031 tax deferred exchanges. He resides in Lakewood with his wife, Shelby, and three young children.