Executive Manager, McLarty Automotive Group; Joe Machens Ford Lincoln, Columbia and Jefferson City

Age: 48

Job description: I oversee daily operations of the Joe Machens Ford Lincoln dealerships in Columbia and Jefferson City.

Years lived in Columbia/mid-Missouri: 18. I left mid-Missouri in 1985 and returned in February of this year.

Original hometown: Middletown, Missouri.

Education: Graduated from Wellsville-Middletown R-1 High School.

Community involvement: I am currently involved in the United Way, Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Honda Scholarship Program – so far.

Professional background: I spent eight years in the United States Navy; 18 years with AutoNation. The last 10 years, I ran AutoNation’s two large Ford stores in Memphis, Tennessee. I most recently served as the managing partner at Columbia Honda.

A favorite recent project: A favorite recent project was the acquisition and transformation of Columbia Honda.

What I do for fun: Spend time with my family and spend time at our farm (both, preferably). Hobbies would be woodworking and collecting old stuff.

A Columbia businessperson I admire and why: Gary Drewing, because of the organization he has built and maintained, and because of his indomitable competitive spirit and charitable community involvement.

What people should know about this profession: This profession, in its simplest form, is about helping people. It’s a people business.

Accomplishment I’m most proud of: I don’t have one, but what gives me a sense of accomplishment is my marriage and family and the organizations I’ve been privileged enough to lead and their successes.

Favorite place in Columbia: I’ve been here six months, and my family has been here for two months, so we are still exploring, but we like all of downtown.

Family: My parents live in Montgomery County. My Dad, Roger, owns County Line Quarry. My Mom, Loretta, is a retired RN from Montgomery County Health Department. My wife of 23 years, Carolyn, is a St. Louis native. We have four daughters. The oldest is married and lives in Memphis, two are in college and one lives here with us and is in high school.

If I weren’t doing this for a living, I would: I haven’t thought about it.

Most people don’t know that I: Try to play the banjo. CBT

Why I’m passionate about my job: I like to win, and here I can win by helping people.