Beau Boeckmann has been appointed president and COO of Galpin Motors Inc., succeeding his father Bert Boeckmann, 83, who will stay on with Galpin as chairman and CEO.
Before his promotion to president and COO, Boeckmann served as CEO of customizing shop Galpin Auto Sports. In his new role, Beau will oversee all day-to-day operations at one of the biggest new-car dealership groups in the country.
Beau Boeckman, in an interview, said he was able to take on more responsibility after his brother Brad, 55, retired from the company on June 19.
"I've grown up my whole life here and my dad and I think very much in line about everything," said Beau, 44. "I love Galpin and I couldn't imagine not working here"
He said "no radical changes" are planned.
"I want to move things a little faster. The way things are today, we just need to stay ahead of everything," he added.
Bert Boeckman said the company's management succession plan always called for Beau to take over, but it was just a matter of finding the right time.
"Beau is the best auto man I've ever known," Bert Boeckman said. "The timing just works perfectly right now."
Galpin Motors, based in North Hills, Calif., is the top-selling U.S. Ford dealership, with sales of 8,101 new Fords in 2013. It is also No. 28 on Automotive News’ top 125 dealership groups, with sales of 21,687 units last year.
