General manager: Steve Handler

Dealership group: Lithia Motors

Full-time employees: 26

Handler on lessons from the pandemic about being a better employer:
“I learned to be a leader during these times. The employees needed someone to support them. I also learned it is healthy to lead by example and show them that you are willing to do whatever job is necessary.”

Handler on evolving compensation structure in the COVID era:
“We kept all of our top performers so we would maximize production, which led to more pay.”