Brett Hopkins's guest appearances

Brett Hopkins

Apologue Podcast

Dealer News Today Podcasts

Spike Slawson

Jeff Bezos

Bernie Moreno

Nathan Fox

Jeremy Keith

Mark Holmes

Jim Norton

Jason Hall

Brian Kelly

Michael Beinhorn

Greg Smith

John Wright

Mike Indovina

Chris Hannah

Mark Baker

OwlTail

Ken Garff

Brett Hopkins returns to the show after his great appearance in the first episode of season 4! A medical school rejection set Brett on the career path that would eventually lead him to becoming CEO of Ken Garff Auto Group, which has over 60 dealership locations in the western US. Along the way, Brett has held many other prominent positions, including working as the CFO of the organizing committee for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Brett currently lives in Salt Lake City, and he holds his MBA from Arizona State University.In this episode, Brett joins Derek D to discuss how business has changed at Ken Garff Automotive in the year-plus since he last appeared on DNT. He discusses why his staff currently has the highest tenure rate and highest salaries they’ve ever had, how interest rate hikes pose a challenge in multiple ways, why electric vehicles are putting additional pressure on the supply of microchips, and why he prefers to tell dad jokes off the cuff rather than rehearse.Ken Garff Automotive GroupEpisode Highlights:How the major South Korean automakers are currently managing supply chain issues better than mostWhy Brett is now getting calls from friends who need a service appointment rather than those who need a new carThe importance of Brett’s motto, “Work hard, play hard, laugh hard”Why electrification may lead some dealer principals to consider selling their businesses“We just came off some amazing years, so you have sellers trying to market their dealerships based on those amazing years.”— Brett Hopkins|| Dealer News Today is a Dave Cantin Group production

Brett Hopkins returns to the show after his great appearance in <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/945751/episodes/10144804" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the first episode of season 4</a>! A medical school rejection set Brett on the career path that would eventually lead him to becoming CEO of Ken Garff Auto Group, which has over 60 dealership locations in the western US. Along the way, Brett has held many other prominent positions, including working as the CFO of the organizing committee for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Brett currently lives in Salt Lake City, and he holds his MBA from Arizona State University.In this episode, Brett joins Derek D to discuss how business has changed at Ken Garff Automotive in the year-plus since he last appeared on DNT. He discusses why his staff currently has the highest tenure rate and highest salaries they’ve ever had, how interest rate hikes pose a challenge in multiple ways, why electric vehicles are putting additional pressure on the supply of microchips, and why he prefers to tell dad jokes off the cuff rather than rehearse. <a href="https://www.kengarff.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ken Garff Automotive Group</a> Episode Highlights:<ul><li>How the major South Korean automakers are currently managing supply chain issues better than most</li><li>Why Brett is now getting calls from friends who need a service appointment rather than those who need a new car</li><li>The importance of Brett’s motto, “Work hard, play hard, laugh hard”</li><li>Why electrification may lead some dealer principals to consider selling their businesses</li></ul>“We just came off some amazing years, so you have sellers trying to market their dealerships based on those amazing years.”— Brett Hopkins|| Dealer News Today is a <a href="https://www.davecantingroup.com/dcg-media" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave Cantin Group</a> production

“That crazy demand is still being relieved” || Brett Hopkins, CEO, Ken Garff Automotive Group

Brett Hopkins has had a fascinating career story. He went from a try at medical school, to 3 years in Paris, to being CFO of the 2002 Salt Lake CIty Olympic Committee, where he forged a relationship with Bob Garff, then the 2nd-generation CEO of Ken Garff Automotive Group. Brett joined Ken Garff Auto Group following the 2002 games, and in 20 years, he’s helped grow the company from nearly 20 dealership in Utah to 61 rooftops across 8 states.This episode is full of heart, as Brett tells the company’s story through pandemic. In March 2020, they lost then-CEO Bob Garff to COVID-19. In this difficult moment, leadership decided to back its employees financially during shutdown. This led to the lowest turnover and highest employee loyalty the company has ever seen.Episode Highlights:Out of their realization about investing in employees, came a long list of benefits that Ken Garff Auto Group now gives to its employees, defying many norms of the auto industry.The company began its “We’re Hear for You” campaign in early 2020, backing businesses that might not have made it through the pandemic, like restaurants, and they continue to this day.We hear about the value of working at one of the country’s most well-run family businesses, with several third-generation Garff family members in the company.Episode Quote:“March of 2020 we learned that when we come out of pocket and invest in our employees, they will give back.”— Brett Hopkins|| Dealer News Today is a DCG Media production

<a href="https://www.kengarff.com/about-us/staff/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brett Hopkins</a> has had a fascinating career story. He went from a try at medical school, to 3 years in Paris, to being CFO of the 2002 Salt Lake CIty Olympic Committee, where he forged a relationship with Bob Garff, then the 2nd-generation CEO of <a href="https://www.kengarff.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ken Garff Automotive Group</a>. Brett joined Ken Garff Auto Group following the 2002 games, and in 20 years, he’s helped grow the company from nearly 20 dealership in Utah to 61 rooftops across 8 states.This episode is full of heart, as Brett tells the company’s story through pandemic. In March 2020, they lost then-CEO Bob Garff to COVID-19. In this difficult moment, leadership decided to back its employees financially during shutdown. This led to the lowest turnover and highest employee loyalty the company has ever seen.Episode Highlights:<ul><li>Out of their realization about investing in employees, came a long list of benefits that Ken Garff Auto Group now gives to its employees, defying many norms of the auto industry.</li><li>The company began its <a href="https://www.kengarff.com/hear-4-you/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“We’re Hear for You”</a> campaign in early 2020, backing businesses that might not have made it through the pandemic, like restaurants, and they continue to this day.</li><li>We hear about the value of working at one of the country’s most well-run family businesses, with several third-generation Garff family members in the company.</li></ul>Episode Quote:“March of 2020 we learned that when we come out of pocket and invest in our employees, they will give back.”— Brett Hopkins|| Dealer News Today is a <a href="https://www.davecantingroup.com/dcg-media" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DCG Media</a> production

“I had no idea the return we would get.” || Brett Hopkins, CEO, Ken Garff Auto Group

Limo and I go back 25+ years. I replaced him as front of house sound with SNFU in mid 1995 because of his commitment with NOFX. Limo was the main stage tech and monitor guy with NOFX for 24 years. He's been around the world several times. Also known as Brett Hopkins, he's now settled down in BC as a full time barber. He also plays drums in a band called Modern Terror. See the link for the interview with Jeff Doran in episode 207. Thanks Limo for the great chat and catch up.Brought to you by AIXdsp Shop now and get up to 50% off on all plugins.Website: HEREParagraphShop with amazon.ca, amazon.com and amazon.co.uk  Bookmark the link and support the show!!Pledge monthly with Patreon https://www.patreon.com/apologueShop Apologue products at http://apologue.ca/shop/

Limo and I go back 25+ years. I replaced him as front of house sound with SNFU in mid 1995 because of his commitment with NOFX. Limo was the main stage tech and monitor guy with NOFX for 24 years. He's been around the world several times. Also known as Brett Hopkins, he's now settled down in BC as a full time barber. He also plays drums in a band called Modern Terror. See the link for the interview with Jeff Doran in episode 207. Thanks Limo for the great chat and catch up. Brought to you by AIXdsp Shop now and get up to 50% off on all plugins.Website: HEREParagraph Shop with <a href="http://amazon.ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.ca</a>, <a href="http://amazon.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://amazon.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk</a>  Bookmark the link and support the show!!Pledge monthly with Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/apologueShop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/apologueShop</a> Apologue products at <a href="http://apologue.ca/shop/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://apologue.ca/shop/</a>

#271 Limo aka Brett Hopkins