Among the greatest challenges a family
business owner faces is the potential for
complacency. Dave Howerzyl, co-owner
of Riverbend Automotive Group, thwarts
that risk by turning to trusted advisors,
including employees, and making constant
provisions for "generation next."
The company's Riverbend Body Shop is
located just outside Grand Rapids, Mich., on
a busy commuter corridor linking downtown
with several suburbs and Grand Valley
State University. It's a growing, affluent
area, yet it's not immune from increasing
competition or other challenges associated
with a single-site operation. Dave is a third-
generation owner/general manager, and
has shepherded the company to a new level
of prosperity and opportunity. Dave Howerzyl (at left) and Jim DeGroot.
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RIVERBEND AUTOMOTIVE GROUP