Gus Machado came to the United States from his native Cuba at the age of 15. After having attended Edwards Military Institute in North Carolina and Greenville College, he began working for the Caterpillar Tractor Company in Illinois.

In 1956, Gus Machado decided to relocate to Miami. Having borrowed $2,000 from his father and $2,000 from personal savings, he invested in a gas station on North Miami Avenue and 17th Street. Gradually, he began exporting used vehicles from this site to Cuba. The business continued to grow until 1960 when the political rift between Cuba and the U.S. ended business transactions between the two countries. Gus Machado overcame the disruption in the business by concentrating his efforts on the retail end of the industry. Sales to the increasing Latin community comprised primarily of Cuban exiles, resulted in consistent growth which led him to sell the gas station and with the proceeds purchased Star Motors, Inc. located at Le Jeune Road and N.W. 7th Street. It was here that commensurate with Miami's growth, the business and his personal wealth grew as well.

Over the next decade, Gus Machado established American Auto Sales, Big Trail Auto Sales, and G.M. Auto Export, exporting General Motors vehicles to Puerto Rico. After much success, Machado purchased Seipp Buick in 1982 and Johnson Ford in 1984, soon becoming the #1 Ford dealer in Dade county.

For the past seven consecutive years, Gus Machado Ford has achieved Blue Oval Certification status from Ford Motor Company. This represents a major accomplishment as it distinguishes Gus Machado Ford as a dealership that recognizes the importance of establishing high-level operating standards and demonstrates this ongoing commitment in its day-to-day operations. The Blue Oval "thumbprint" emblem represents the commitment of each one of Gus Machado Ford's employees to provide his or her own brand of personal service. Since no two customers are alike, we strive to find unique ways to meet and exceed customer's expectations.

In 2003 Gus Machado Ford achieved Ford Motor Company's highest honor - being awarded the President's Award. The Ford Motor Company President's Award recognizes the top 450 among nearly 5000 Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships in the United States and Canada that have made a commitment to consistently deliver exceptional sales, service, and vehicle ownership experiences to their customers.

Throughout the years, Gus Machado has dedicated his time, efforts, and financial support to his businesses and community. Due to his multiple charitable contributions, in 2008 he created the Gus Machado Family Foundation with the purpose of contributing to multiple charitable organizations and establishing a legacy to leave behind for his family and community.

Civic Activities:

1. Co-Founder of the Calle Ocho event in 1982 in conjunction with the Kiwanis of Little Havana.
2. Founder and Master of Ceremonies of the first televised Paseo Carnaval also in conjunction with the Kiwanis of Little Havana.
3. In 1983, Gus Machado developed, produced, and served as Master of Ceremonies of a local television show dedicated to discovering and promoting local talent who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to perform on television. This show proved to be quite successful for some of the contestants.
4. Founder of the first Golf Shoot Out event at the Doral Eastern open in 1985 and subsequently in 1986. These events were nationally televised by ESPN. Proceeds of these events benefited the American Cancer Society.
5. Founder of the first PGA Tour Senior Golf Classic in Miami at Key Biscayne in 1987 and subsequently in 1988. The Gus Machado Senior Classic Golf Tournament at Key Biscayne had a purse of $300,000. Proceeds of this event benefited the American Cancer Society and the United Way. Nationally televised by ESPN. (In 1990 Royal Caribbean became the major sponsor).
6. In 1998 Gus Machado founded the Gus Machado Classic Charity Golf Tournament benefiting the American Cancer Society. With every year that passes, this tournament is more and more successful in its fundraising efforts. To date the Gus Machado Classic Charity Golf Tournament has raised over half a million dollars.
7. In 2003, Mr. Machado was a founder and serves as Treasurer of the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC, a bipartisan political action committee that seeks to promote a transition in Cuba towards democracy, the rule of law, and the free market. In less than five years, the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC has raised over $1 million, becoming the largest single ethnic PAC in the U.S. and the largest foreign policy contributor.
8. In 2008, to better serve the community through his charitable contributions, The Gus Machado Family Foundation was created and every year they celebrate the Gus Machado Community & Back to School Fair on the grounds of the Hialeah and Kendall Gus Machado Ford dealerships providing over 400+ children with backpacks full of school supplies. Immunizations and children I.D cards are also given to the children in conjunction with different State and local Government Agencies during the back-to-school Community Fair.

Contributor to:

• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association
• Brasos de Amor, Foundation
• Alpha One Foundation
• Archdioceses of Miami, Centro Mater
• Chapman Partnership
• City of Hialeah Annual Gala, to benefit American Cancer Society & La Liga Contra el Cancer
• Community Partnership for the Homeless
• Daughter of Zion Dance School
• F. I. U. University
• Fundacion International "Amigos del Nino con Cáncer
• Flagami Khoury League (little league baseball)
• Hands in Action
• Hijas de la Caridad
• Hope & Dreams Foundation
• Hogar Cuna San Cristobal
• Humane Society
• International Tennis Hall of Fame
• Joe Di Maggio Children's Hospital
• La Salle High School
• M.A.R. Por Cuba
• Miami Dade College Foundation
• Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital
• Miami Children's Hospital Foundation
• Mercy Hospital
• Mujeres Latinas I.M.L.
• Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
• Muscular Dystrophy Foundation
• Our Lady Of the Wholly Rosary
• Ortega Family Foundation
• Radio Paz Annual Gala, Archdioceses of Miami
• Susan G. Komen, Walk for the Cure
• The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis
• The Playground Theater
• The Smile Train
• United Way
• Vineland Elementary School
• Walking With Jesus
• Willy Chirino Foundation

Member of:

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
• South FL Dealers Association (SFDA)
• South FL Ford Dealers Association (SFFDA)
• The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
• Better Business Bureau
• Hialeah Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Latin Chamber of Commerce (Camacol)
• Colombian Chamber of Commerce

Member of the Board of:

• U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC
• Gus Machado Family Foundation, Inc.
• Hialeah Chamber of Commerce

Awards Received:

• Ford Motor Company - One Hundred Club 1994, 1995, 1996
• Camacol - Entrepreneur of the Year 1996
• U.S. Congress - Flag Flown on the US Capitol Presented to Gus Machado in 1997 & in May 2009 at the opening of the New Gus Machado Ford of Kendall
• City of Miami, City of Hialeah, and City of Hialeah Gardens - Keys to the Cities and proclamation of Gus Machado Day - September 28, 1996
• Hialeah Miami Lakes High School Sponsorship Award for Athletic Program 1997
• Dade County Government, City of Hialeah - Dealer of the Year 1997
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year Award Southeast Region - 1997
• Ford Motor Company Blue Oval Certified since 2001
• Ford Motor Company President's Award 2003
• Ford Motor Credit - "Partners in Quality Award, 2009-2010
• American Cancer Society - Relevo Por La Vida Sponsorship Award 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, 2009, 2010
• American Cancer Society Member of "The Society" Award 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• American Cancer Society "Special Recognition Award", Miami Unit, 2010
• Community Partnership for the Homeless, 2010 Gala Sponsor 2009, 2010