Phil Marshall, Galpin Motors

Phil Marshall has seen a lot in his more than 50 years in the auto industry. Cars have gone from big gas guzzlers with fins, to small efficient hybrids using alternative fuels; the supremacy of U.S. automakers gave way to imports; and economic ups and downs have brought consolidation of dealers. At Galpin Motors, Marshall, 73, watched a single location grow into five and see the employee base get as high as 1,200 people. From a two-story white building tucked away from the action of the sales floor, Marshall oversees the administrative, accounting and information technology aspects of the auto group, and supervises the restaurant and coffee shop on the premises. Galpin Motors Vice President Brad Boeckmann called Marshall one of the best business managers in the industry; one who is meticulous in keeping control of the things needed to run a business. Those qualities and more were on display this summer during the Clash for Clunkers program during which Galpin provided rebates to purchase a new vehicle in exchange for trading in a fuel inefficient one. On the last day to submit paperwork to the federal government, Marshall and his staff were at the office until 3 a.m. That is an example of how Marshall leads people, rather than managing or directing them. “If I am asking them to do something, that is something I am willing to do,” Marshall said. Once you get into the auto business it is tough to get out, Marshall said. His career began in the late ‘50s while still a college student in Arizona. He was an office manager at a Chevrolet dealership and then was promoted. His path took him to New Mexico and Colorado, and later would work directly for the Ford Motor Co. in dealer development. The familiarity with the retail side of the business has been a plus for Marshall while at Galpin, Boeckmann said. “He remembers the sales have to come, of course, before the accounting,” Boeckmann said. “Then he does an outstanding job of making sure all the processes are in place so we can do the proper accounting.” At Galpin, Marshall is the corporate secretary and meets four times a week as a member of the executive management team making decisions guiding the corporation and franchise dealerships. He also headed the team that installed a new computer system throughout all the dealerships. During that time, Marshall developed a management style that in return brought loyalty and dedication from his staff. An administrative assistant stayed on the job for 33 years, while others are hitting the 20 years and 25 years mark. (All five of Marshall’s children worked at Galpin at one time, as well.) For all his years in the auto industry, Marshall has never seen economic conditions as bad as they are during the recession. When the bottom fell out not even Ford’s best-selling F series pickup trucks were selling. Marshall, however, has confidence in the Ford brand The automaker was the only one from the Big Three not asking for federal bailout funds. Strategies put in place by CEO Alan Mulally have positioned the company well. “From a product standpoint – safety, quality and styling – Ford measures up,” Marshall said.