Apple Ford Lincoln of Columbia, Maryland, takes great pride in supporting its employees and investing in the community where they live, work, and raise families.

It's this deep rooted sense of community that serves as the foundation of Apple Ford’s success, and its a big reason why people from throughout the Mid-Atlantic are proud to be part of the Apple Ford team.

Apple Ford Lincoln of Columbia, Maryland, takes great pride in supporting its employees and investing in the community where they live, work, and raise families.

It's this deep rooted sense of community that serves as the foundation of Apple Ford’s success, and its a big reason why people from throughout the Mid-Atlantic are proud to be part of the Apple Ford team.

In 1986, after successfully running Monument Ford of Baltimore, George L. Doetsch Jr. acquired the struggling dealership, renaming it Apple Ford. George’s leadership transformed the business, enabling the complete acquisition from the Ford Motor Company. In 1993, Apple Ford moved to Columbia, Maryland, becoming the town's first auto dealership.

George promptly engaged with Howard County and surrounding areas' key leaders to understand local needs, providing resources and fostering community ties. Under his leadership in the 1990s, Apple Ford grew to be one of Central Maryland's fastest-growing automotive dealerships.

In the early 2000s, George’s son, George “Chip” Doetsch III, assumed day-to-day operations as President.

Chip, who got his start working in his father’s dealerships, earned a BBA in finance from the University of Oklahoma in 1991 and started his professional career working in corporate finance before returning to Columbia to help build the dealership.

Today, Chip, who holds a majority ownership share, collaborates with both his father and son, Edward, who now serves as General Manager.

Under Chip's leadership, Apple Ford's sales and service operations have significantly expanded, making it one of Central Maryland's largest automotive dealerships.

In 2003, the Tri-State Collision Center, a 57,000 square foot facility, opened, followed soon after by the Quick Lane of Columbia automotive repair facility.

In 2016, a second dealership opened in Elkton, Maryland, and in 2019, it joined the Mitsubishi Motors of North America network as Apple Auto Mitsubishi of Elkton.

Chip and his father, George share a strong commitment to community service, establishing a charitable giving program that reinvests over one million dollars annually in Howard County and Maryland.

Chip emphasizes, “One of the core values of our business is giving back to our community. I believe we all are part of a larger family, and that giving back enriches everyone's lives.”

In 2013, the father and son team were honored as Philanthropists of the Year by the Community Foundation of Howard County for their lifetime of charitable contributions. Chip also received the 2012 Howard County Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

In February 2020, Chip was nominated for the 2020 TIME Dealer of the Year award, an honor bestowed upon only 49 individuals out of more than 16,000 nationwide. This prestigious honor is given to those demonstrating a long-standing commitment to community service.

Beyond local contributions, Chip has held leadership roles in the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) and served on boards such as the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and Howard Community College.

“One thing we’re thankful that hasn’t changed over time is the high quality of our people,” said Chip. “It’s not unusual to see turnover in this business, but many of our employees have been with us for long-tenured periods of time, several as long as 30 years or more.”

“I’m thankful our business has grown exponentially, and now as we enter our third decade, the dealership is stronger than ever.”

Apple Ford continues to grow and innovate, committed to positively impacting the community through charitable donations, volunteering, and other initiatives.

Two such notable projects slated to come online in 2025 and 2026 is Apple Ford's investment in a brand new automotive technical teaching facility at Howard Community College that will train and prepare the next generation of automotive technicians. Additionally, Apple Ford is building one of the regions largest electric vehicle super charging facilities, to be located in Columbia.

As many aspects of the automotive industry evolve with the time, one thing that is sure to remain constant is Apple Ford’s commitment to its customers, its employees, and its community. It’s fundamental to future success.