Burke is Chairman of the Board of Jim Burke Ford, located in Bakersfield, California. Jim Burke Ford began in 1964 when Burke acquired Haberfelde Ford after being employed there since 1948. Burke is one of the few dealers to win Ford Motor Company’s highest honor, Ford Chairman’s Award for customer satisfaction, seven consecu- tive years since 1987. In 1976 he received the TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award and in 1990 Northwood University’s Dealer Education Award. In 1975, Burke recognized the need for improved youth business education and developed the Ford Dimension. Now in its 20th successful year, the Ford Dimension provides off-campus orientation and education about the private enterprise system. In 1988, Burke co-founded Project 2000, which assists the needs of average students who are not competing in society.