Women’s History Month Spotlight: Kim Ford
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Texas Tech Foundation is highlighting Kim Ford.
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Texas Tech Foundation is highlighting Kim Ford.
Ford has served on the Texas Tech Foundation Board of Directors since 2017. During her time on the board, she has served on the Audit Committee, the Academic Committee, the Executive Committee, and in a leadership role as secretary of the board.
Ford graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1983. Prior to becoming a Texas Tech student, her first time visiting campus was for Carol of Lights. This tradition quickly became her favorite. She found Carol of Lights extra special this year, as she spent it with her family, celebrating the kickoff to our Centennial Celebration.
Ford’s career began before she came to Texas Tech. She worked for a CPA in Andrews, Texas, prior to college and fell in love with the profession of accounting. While earning her degree, she worked part-time at several accounting firms in Lubbock. After graduation, she moved to San Antonio where she began working at a CPA firm. She is now the managing partner of this firm, theKFORDgroup. Her firm specializes in forensic accounting, small businesses and high wealth individuals.
“For a lot of people accounting and finance is Greek,” Ford said. “It’s a language they don’t understand, so we are here to help give them that piece of mind that somebody is taking care of that.”
One of Ford’s greatest career accomplishments is the generosity of her firm and their passion for giving back to the community. TheKFORDgroup has a superb reputation and has garnered recognition for the work they do with both clients and the community.
“We give back 1% of our gross income every year,” Ford said, “and as we have grown, those contributions have grown. Our firm is known for that and that is more important than anything.”
Everyone is a leader in some capacity. We all have to be leaders, and it takes lots of gumption and intestinal fortitude to do the right thing, all day every day.
Ford has extensive leadership experience, and she emphasizes the importance of showing people that you care for them when leading them.
“Everyone is a leader in some capacity,” Ford said. “We all have to be leaders, and it takes lots of gumption and intestinal fortitude to do the right thing, all day every day.”
Throughout her time on the Texas Tech Foundation, Ford has learned about how wonderful Texas Tech is, as well as how professionally run the board is.
“[The board] has so many great systems and we have such a diverse group of people on the board that have such great ideas and such a passion for the university and our students,” Ford said.
A fond memory from Ford’s time on the board is from a board meeting recently held during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Ford had the incredible opportunity to ride on a horse during the grand entry of the rodeo. This was able to happen thanks to the incredible connections Ford has built throughout the Red Raider community.
Ford highlights the importance of getting out of your comfort zone in your career. She quoted an Eleanor Roosevelt quote that reflects this belief – do one thing every day that scares you.
Ford firmly believes in this idea, especially when discussing its importance for women who are beginning their careers or are in the midst of their careers.
“Believe in yourself,” Ford said. “Take that calculated risk and stick your neck out because it won’t get chopped off. At the same time, make sure you stay true to yourself.”
Ford has tremendously impacted the communities around her. From her incredible work within theKFORDgroup and the San Antonino community to her continued betterment of the Texas Tech University System through the Texas Tech Foundation, Ford is driven to help those around her.