McGrath Family of Dealerships named 2024 ‘Coolest of the Cool’ workplace

For many Eastern Iowans, the name “McGrath” has become perpetually linked with the sale and maintenance of cars, but founder H.B. McGrath saw it differently: “We are in the people business first, cars business second,” he often said.

That’s according to Jaymie McGrath, third-generation employee, director of organizational development and talent acquisition manager at the McGrath Family of Dealerships.

Putting people first has proven successful for the 72-year-old automotive group, earning it the title of ‘Coolest of the Cool’ in the Corridor Business Journal’s 2024 Coolest Places to Work list.

Humble beginnings

H.B. McGrath set the ball rolling on what would later become the McGrath Family of Dealerships in 1952, when he was selected by General Motors to open a Buick store in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

In 1957, Mr. McGrath purchased Culver Motors, the Pontiac dealership in Cedar Rapids, and firmly planted his business’s roots in the Corridor.

After years of growth and development, the McGrath Family of Dealerships was formed in 1991. The business has since grown into one of the largest family-owned automotive companies in Iowa.

Throughout its history, McGrath has been a multi-generational employer, not only for the McGrath family itself but for others as well.

“There are a lot of people here that work with their family, and I think that’s the best compliment — that you liked your job so much that you told your cousin or brother or mom about it, and they ended up working here too,” said Ms. McGrath, who began her full-time employment with the company in 2010. “We want people to feel like they are part of our family, our team and this organization, and they’re not just a number.”

Company Culture

Anonymous surveys submitted by McGrath employees proudly touted the company’s family-friendly culture as a main component making their workplace “cool.”

“It is a cool place to work because I get to work with a diverse group of people,” wrote one employee in a response to the survey. “It also practices the ‘family’ aspect of the McGrath Family of Dealerships by making it seem like you are working with your family, and encouraging people to treat each other like family and be respectful and courteous.”

Employees also consistently praised McGrath’s leadership team and the opportunities for professional development offered to each employee.

“Growth and development,” wrote another employee. “Many people that work here don’t have a passion for cars. They have the right mindset and core values and have grown themselves with the company. I have grown and am in a position where I have more than I could have dreamed of because they believed in me and helped grow me to who I am today. I believe that can happen with anyone here at McGrath.”

Core values seem to be important at McGrath. The company’s established four are: do the right thing, be humbly confident, relentless pursuit of growth, and have fun.

“We hire, we train, and we promote off of those values,” Ms. McGrath said.

According to her, the company strives to promote employees from within. Ninety-five percent of McGrath’s management roles are promoted internally.

In order to recognize and nurture employees with the potential to be future leaders at McGrath, the company has launched an annual Emerging Leaders Program, now in its tenth year.

“We take applications for people that are not currently in a management position, but want to grow their leadership skills,” Ms. McGrath said. “We focus on how to be a leader from wherever you are … you don’t have to have a title to be a leader.”

Those selected for the program meet on a bi-weekly basis over the course of the year for leadership training and development. The program also works with local organizations, like Women Lead Change, to send participating employees to conferences and introduce them to other learning opportunities.

Community involvement

Community involvement and support was also mentioned several times by employees in the anonymous survey.

“They are always getting us involved and donating money and time and they truly care about their people and the community,” wrote one employee.

“They care about the community and often fund organizations that are important to me and the area,” wrote another.

As a team, McGrath’s employees have been involved with several local nonprofits for community betterment. Employees have taken part in the United Way of East Central Iowa’s Day of Caring, packed meals for Meals from the Heartland, volunteered on builds for Habitat for Humanity, represented McGrath at the Especially For You Race Against Breast Cancer, and taken part in blood drives and toy drives, among other opportunities throughout the Corridor and beyond.

Monetarily, McGrath supports community causes through its McGrath Cares program, which gives back to the community through selective sponsorships, donations, and fundraising assistance for nonprofit organizations. Through the program, the company also manages quarterly community drives, which encourage customers to bring in need-specific donation items to support a selected nonprofit. Customers who participate receive a discount on service.

“We’re community driven,” Ms. McGrath said. “Because we know that if we don’t have a thriving community, then none of this is possible … If our community isn’t thriving, then that means our customers and our employees aren’t thriving. We want them to thrive.” 

2024 Coolest Places to Work

1. McGrath Family of Dealerships
2. Skogman Companies
3. TrueNorth Companies
4. Clickstop, Inc.
5. Crystal Group
6. Infinity
7. Hibu
8. Engie Iowa

1. Heritage Area Agency on Aging
2. Essence of Life Hospice
3. Ryan Companies US, Inc.
4. Eastern Iowa Sleep Center
5. Theatre Cedar Rapids
6. FaithLife Church
7. First Interstate Bank
8. F&M Bank

1. Strategic Financial Solutions
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County
3. On With Life
4. Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
5. MercyCare Business Health Solutions, Wellness
6. Choreo
7. Advanced Therapy Specialists
8. Novy