LEADER WITH A HEART.

• Author: Beers, Heather
• Position: Robert H. Garff - Brief Article

"I love people. Any organization can be brick and mortar, but unless they learn to love people -- and understand people -- in the end, they will meet their demise."

Such is the lifelong philosophy of Robert H. Garff, businessman, politician and community leader.

Take his near-decade in the Utah legislature as state representative and speaker of the House. In his 30s when first elected, Garff said that to do any good, he would listen more than lead.

"Politics is about bringing communities together; it's the art of compromise," says Garff. "A lot of dynamic leaders have big egos. Though it's important to feel good about yourself, if you don't listen to your community and its issues, you can't accomplish anything."

The philosophy has paid off. Garff is chairman and CEO of Garff Enterprises Inc., the automotive sales company his father started nearly 70 years ago with just $5,000. Now a multimillion dollar company with more than 21 dealerships, 14 locations and 1,000 employees, it's a powerful force in Utah's auto sales industry.

As the company enters its third generation of family management, Garff offers insight on passing the company torch. Citing a Wharton School of Finance study that reports just 32 percent of family businesses survive the second generation and only 12 percent make it through the third, he says a common challenge is inadequate financial planning.

Since inheritance taxes and other costs often force families to sell assets rather than grow the business, he recommends wise estate planning to avoid unnecessary financial loss. Garff's expertise makes him a sought-after community leader. Among his resume of civic service...