David Warford, a Damariscotta native, was working as a meat cutter at Yellowfront Grocery in 1987. He went to Wiscasset Ford to buy a new car; he walked out with a new career.
Recalling the day, Warford remembered Rene Nicole, the original owner of Wiscasset Ford, pulling him aside and saying, “‘I think you’d be good at selling cars, wanna try it?’ I’ve never looked back,” Warford said.
Warford worked at Wiscasset Ford for three years before moving to a different area of the state and sharing the expertise he learned in Wiscasset with other dealerships.
An old flame brought him home again.
Warford and Paula Reny, of Boothbay, dated shortly after high school, but parted ways in their youth and pursued separate lives. The two recently reconnected and tied the knot. It is the first marriage for both.
The couple now lives in Boothbay with five horses, a pony, and a cat.
Warford was commuting to work at a dealership in Auburn, but decided he wanted to return to where it all began – Wiscasset Ford. He rejoined the sales team in September.
Warford’s co-workers welcomed him with open arms. “He has a positive attitude,” Jeff Allen, manager of Wiscasset Ford, said. “He believes in being early, not late, and he is always willing to lend a hand.”
“I love working here,” Warford said. “We do it the same way we did back in 1987.” Warford explained that there is no need for negotiating at Wiscasset Ford. The true cost of the vehicle is listed upfront.
The sales team does not work on commission, which enables Wiscasset Ford to truly meet the needs of its customers. “You can be an adviser to people,” Warford said. “You can be really honest with them, because it’s about them.”
“I’m really happy to be back in my hometown,” Warford said. “It’s been great to see all the familiar faces.”
