East County and San Diego native Jenifer Ball, general manager of Ball Acura, is serving as 2014 president of the National City Mile of Cars board of directors during the Mile of Cars’ 60th anniversary year. At a recent ceremony, San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox presented a proclamation to Ball, who is the first woman ever to serve as Mile of Cars board president.
Ball, who attended Vista Grande Elementary School and Christian Middle School and High School in El Cajon., is not only the first woman to serve as MOC board president but she also is the only third-generation board member from the same family to serve on the MOC board during the past 60 years. Jenifer’s father, John Ball, also served as MOC board president in 1983-1984. Plus, Jenifer’s grandfather and John’s father, Dave Ball, also served on the MOC board in the 1980s.
Despite a competitive nature that’s part of the auto sales business, the MOC board has been lauded throughout the auto industry for their success at working together on advertising campaigns and other projects, including legislative advocacy and charity donations, according to Ball. “After six decades, we still get along because we know when we join together we’re stronger together,” she said.
Each of the eight family-owned dealerships on the Mile of Cars (MOC) – offering more than 5,000 new and certified pre-owned vehicles representing 21 brand names — are offering special pricing on select models in honor of the 60th year celebration, said MOC officials.
Founded in 1954, the Mile of Cars is regarded for holding the longevity record in the U.S. for continuous service as an auto dealership collective. More than 20,000 vehicles are sold on the Mile annually, and more than a half-million vehicles have been sold since the Mile was established, MOC officials said.