Our Story
Sutton Ford isn’t just a dealership. It’s a family story built on people, community, and doing things the right way.
What started as a small dealership with a vision has grown into one of the most respected Ford dealerships in the Chicago Southland — all while staying true to the same values it started with.
Where It All Started – 1989
In October 1989, Nate and Mallory Sutton opened the doors to Olympia Fields Ford in Olympia Fields, Illinois.
Their goal was simple: create a dealership where people actually enjoyed doing business.
From the very beginning, Nate believed that if you treat people right — both guests and team members — everything else will follow.
That philosophy quickly became the foundation of the business.
Growing With Our Community
As the dealership grew, so did its reputation.
In 2000, the Sutton family moved the dealership into a brand-new facility in the Matteson Auto Mall, marking a major milestone in the company’s journey.
With the move came a new name: Sutton Ford.
The new location allowed the dealership to serve even more of the surrounding communities while continuing to deliver the same personal service customers had come to trust.
Over the years, Sutton Ford has been recognized with numerous industry honors, including Ford’s prestigious President’s Award for excellence in customer satisfaction.
The Sutton Ford Culture
Under Nate’s leadership, Sutton Ford developed a culture that continues to guide the business today.
Mission:
To provide a 100% completely satisfactory experience to all guests and team members.
Core Values – PRUIT:
P – Personal Growth
R – Respect
U – Urgency
I – Integrity
T – Teamwork
These values shape how we treat our guests, how we support our team, and how we serve our community every day.
A Team That Continues to Grow
Over the past several years, Sutton Ford has grown from 80 team members to more than 100, doubled their fleet business, and now has Mobile Service.
Many employees have built long careers at Sutton Ford, forming lasting relationships with coworkers and customers.
At Sutton Ford, people don’t just work here — they build careers here.
The Next Generation
In 2015, Nate’s daughter Karen Sutton-Ford joined the dealership in the fleet department.
Karen quickly demonstrated a natural ability for leadership and business development. She expanded the fleet department, hired new talent, and successfully transitioned accounts from retiring team members.
In 2020, Karen graduated from NADA Dealer Academy, one of the automotive industry's top leadership programs. She would go on to take over leadership of the dealership.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Karen’s vision is to continue building upon the legacy her father created while growing a people-first dealership.
Her focus remains on three key priorities:
• Helping team members grow their careers
• Delivering completely satisfying experiences for every guest
• Supporting the surrounding communities that have supported Sutton Ford for decades
Every day, the team continues to live the Sutton Ford values and PRUIT culture.
Sutton Ford Today
Today, Sutton Ford proudly serves drivers throughout the Chicago Southland, including:
Matteson
Olympia Fields
Frankfort
New Lenox
Tinley Park
Orland Park
University Park
Park Forest
Chicagoland
While the dealership has grown over the years, one thing has never changed: people come first.