General manager: Tim Hlavenka

Dealership group: Lithia Motors

Full-time employees: 57

Hlavenka on how employment practices could change with the industry shift to electric vehicles: “There will be a need for a lot of training for those team members as EVs progress and become the preferred method of transportation. I do feel there will be a shift in how we recruit technicians as the amount and type of repair will be a bit different.”

Hlavenka on improving employee retention: “We have open-door policies, request input from every level employee on how we can improve our processes, and we ask for feedback on any changes we are looking to make to ensure that our team members are bought in. We have added flexible schedules … to improve work-life balance, and we host numerous events throughout the year to maintain morale, and, most importantly, have fun.”

Hlavenka on offering a long-term career path: “In order to grow our business, we need to grow our people, and Lithia has many programs for that growth. Whether it’s a current manager looking to progress to a GM role, a GM looking to progress to a group VP role, a technician to a fixed-ops manager or even an admin role looking to progress to an office manager role, our company has many different programs to mentor, coach and set a path.”

Hlavenka on diversity, equity and inclusion: “Our team members are a reflection of our community. The connections we make with our customers [are] critical, and we are able to do that most productively with a diverse team.”

Hlavenka on best practices to improve operations: “Giving our team members the tools, coaching and processes they need — and then giving them the autonomy to do their job — has improved our operations. Our philosophy is that we hired a team member to perform a job. If we need to micromanage, we hired the wrong individual. Our job as team leaders is to give them the framework, tools, coaching and support they need, then let them go to work. This has improved employee morale. A happy team member equates to a happy customer.”