Our History

Our Story Begins in 1945 with World War II veteran Philip Long establishing the first Phil Long dealership. The legacy he started was carried on by his friend and business partner Jay Cimino, who championed our growth and success for decades. Now led by President/CEO and Partner Kevin Shaughnessy, Phil Long Dealerships paves the way for quality service, integrity and community involvement across Colorado and Northern New Mexico.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Kevin Shaughnessy, President/CEO & Partner of Phil Long Dealerships

Kevin joined Phil Long Dealerships in 2006 as the general sales manager of Phil Long Ford of Denver and held various leadership positions throughout the dealership group prior to his current role.

His 30 years of automotive experience and team building, combined with his daily operational control with Phil Long, have made him a persuasive and credible voice in the automotive industry, as well as the Ford National Dealer Council and Ford Dealers Advertising Fund. He was selected by the governor to serve on the Colorado Motor Vehicle Dealer Board in 2020 and re-appointed in 2023 for a successive three-year term. In 2024, Kevin joined Ford Motor Company's Government Affairs Council.

Kevin has been a major force in Phil Long Dealerships' impact in communities throughout the state of Colorado and New Mexico. His passion for serving others, along with his leadership and business acumen, has propelled our organization's ability to touch lives in meaningful ways.

In 2023, Kevin was recognized by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association as the Colorado Auto Dealer of the Year and was honored as a TIME Dealer of the Year nominee, one of only 48 candidates selected from a pool of more than 16,000 franchised dealers across the country to be recognized for his community service and industry accomplishments. Later that year, he was inducted into the Colorado Automobile Hall of Fame.

Dedicated to helping our veteran community, he sits on the Board of Managers for Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. He not only helps set the strategic direction and form partner alliances for the nonprofit, but he also acts as an ambassador in communities across the Front Range, which is home to over 400,000 veterans and military families.

Jay Cimino, Our Past President & CEO

After graduating high school in 1954, Jay joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as part of the military police and security force. His versatility led him to be known throughout his military unit as a "jack of all trades."

A born businessman with a mix of intuition and learned skills, Jay's first post-military job was at BF Goodrich as a territory manager for the Front Range (Colorado, New Mexico & Kansas), where he remained until 1965 when he moved to Pueblo and worked his way up from a finance clerk to a new car manager at Jess Hunter Ford. In 1972, Jay moved his family to Santa Fe, New Mexico and took on the role of general manager and partner of the Santa Fe Buick, Pontiac, GMC dealership, a position he held until 1975.

Under the direction of his friend and mentor, Philip Long, Jay joined the first Phil Long Ford in 1975 as the general manager. It is clear why he put the company in Jay's hands. He was committed to improving people's quality of life by nurturing ideas that uplift our employees as well as the community. During his 49-year career at Phil Long, Jay expanded the dealership's brands, worked to pay tribute to Mr. Long and started several philanthropic efforts.

Sadly, Jay passed away at the age of 87 in February 2024, but he leaves a legacy of philanthropy, business acumen and development that changed the face of Colorado communities from Colorado Springs to Trinidad. Learn more about Jay, his philanthropy, awards and recognition here.

Mr. Philip Long, Our Founder

The legacy that became Phil Long Enterprise started with a single man, Philip Long. World War II was raging and in 1942, Mr. Long mastered his training as a Hellcat fighter pilot in Task Force 58, stationed in the South Pacific. During his service, he successfully flew 120 missions from the USS Enterprise, one of the most famous ships of this era, and was shot down twice.

Mr. Long was a highly decorated aviator because of his success during dangerous missions, receiving the Air Medal and Gold Star award for multiple meritorious achievements and heroic acts during aerial flight, as well as the Navy and Marine Presidential Unit Citation for gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing a mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. In September 1945, Mr. Long was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant commander.

One month later, he and R. Doenges purchased Vollmer Brothers Ford and changed the name to Doenges-Long Ford, thus beginning a legacy of car dealerships that has spanned more than half a century. By 1964, Mr. Long bought out Doenges, changed the name to Phil Long Ford, Inc. and moved the dealership to what is now known as Motor City.

Mr. Long passed away in July 2001, but his life's work continues to flourish through his reputation and passion for solid business practices, long-term relationships and commitment to the community, both military and civilian.

Champions in the Auto Industry and the Community

Philanthropy is part of our legacy, and Phil Long is proud to uplift our communities. In continuation of our mission to be a 100-year force for good, we've worked to improve the lives of our neighbors and friends, provide support for military veterans and their families, and much more that you can learn about here and in the video above.