Tune into Maxwell & Pam every Wednesday morning at 7:35 when Rich Willis from the Willis Auto Campus will be answering all of your car questions!
Rich Willis - President - Willis Auto Campus
Rich Willis a native of Smyrna, Delaware grew up in the car business. Selling cars is in his family genes; his father Bill Willis operated a Chevrolet dealership in Delaware. His two older brothers still run the business today.
Rich left Delaware in 1970 to go to attend Simpson College in Indianola. For two years he worked in the service, body shop and accounting offices at Betts Cadillac, experiencing all aspects of the business. At night he sold pre-owned cars. Rich graduated from Simpson College in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration. Rich’s family expected him to return to Delaware after graduation but Rich, after meeting a young lady named Judy at the dealership, decided to stay. Rich began to buy out Chuck Betts Jr, son of the founder of Betts Cadillac in 1988 and become President & Dealer Principal in 1997.
Rich’s familiar voice can be heard on TV and radio spots now calling out the numerous names of his carlines; Willis Cadillac, Willis Lexus, Willis Hummer, Willis Volvo of Des Moines, Jaguar Des Moines, Land Rover Des Moines, and Willis Infiniti, all a part of the Willis Auto Campus. Last year, Willis Auto Campus celebrated their 60 years of service to customers and their community.
With Rich’s love for golf, it surprises no one why his involvement in many golf tournaments throughout the local area is many. Willis Auto Campus has sponsored numerous golf sponsorships, which just to name a few are the annual National Kidney Foundation Golf Classic, Champions for Charity benefiting the Arthritis Foundation, Hy-Vee Golf Classic, Allianz Championship, and many local golf tournaments too many to mention. Two classic car shows are held at the dealership each year along with numerous community involved activities throughout the city.
Rich serves as a member of several Boards including The Better Business Bureau, Blank Children’s Hospital, Iowa Health Systems, Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, Simpson College Board of Trustees, IMT Insurance, Iowa Prayer Breakfast, Boy Scouts of America Community Campaign, and Greater Des Moines Partnership Campaign Operations.
Rich has been honored for several awards which some include Clive Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year for 1999, Better Business Bureau Integrity Award, Master Cadillac Dealer Recognitions and Elite of Lexus Recognitions, Simpson College Outstanding Alumni, and Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award for the state of Iowa for his outstanding performance, both as a good automobile dealer and valued citizen of his community, and was not only recognized for this prestigious award, but also recognized as one of the top five finalists for all dealers awarded in the nation.
Rich married Judy in 1976 and they have two sons who both work at the dealership, Jason and wife Lori along with AJ, Rich and Judy’s grandson, and Matthew and wife Jennifer. Rich is proud to say his family is committed to their involvement not only to the dealership but in their community.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
