From one mustang to another

Brandon Tomes ’07 with Everly Tomes, Stephanie Tomes, Barbara Utter Thomas ’78 and Bob Tomes.

DALLAS (SMU) —  For an SMU family in the auto business, providing a ruby red 2015 Mustang for a lucky fan at SMU’s Centennial Homecoming football game seemed like a perfect opportunity.  

The two-year-lease for the Mustang, to be awarded at the end of SMU’s Sept. 26 game against James Madison University, is being provided by Bob Tomes and Barbara Utter Tomes ’78 of Bob Tomes Ford in McKinney, and their son, Brandon Tomes ’07.

Entry forms for the giveaway will be available at the game, and the winner will be announced at the end of the game. This is an anniversary year for the Mustang as well –the classic sports car celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

For Barbara, Mustangs and Fords are part of her extended family. She is the daughter of a Ford dealer and her brothers, Bill Utter ('74) and Bob Utter ('76),  are SMU graduates and Ford dealers too. A business graduate, Barbara was president of the business fraternity, Phi Chi Theta and a member of Delta Delta Delta. She also was treasurer of the SMU Mothers' Club when Brandon was an SMU student. Barbara met Bob Tomes, a University of Nebraska graduate, when both worked for the Ford Motor Company in Houston.

"My business professors gave me a lot of confidence and wonderful opportunities," Barbara says.

Brandon Tomes also graduated from Cox School of Business. At SMU he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and studied abroad in Oxford. He supports SMU now as a member of the Mustang Club and football and basketball season ticket holder. From an early age Brandon says he knew he wanted to join the family auto business. After summer internships in other businesses, he joined the Tomes Auto Group after graduation and opened Brandon Tomes Subaru in 2009. He and Stephanie Lydon married in 2013. Their daughter Everly Grace Tomes was born in 2014.

"I couldn't be more excited about what is happening at SMU, especially during the University’s 100^th birthday," Brandon said. "My family thought this was an important way to give back."

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