1|# McLarty Automotive Group — Comprehensive Dealer Group Profile
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3|## Overview
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5|McLarty Automotive Group, operating as part of the broader McLarty Companies, represents one of the most distinctive dealer organizations in the American automotive retail landscape — a family enterprise with deep political connections, a rich history stretching back over a century, and a significant presence across the South Central United States. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, the group's origins trace to 1921, when the McLarty family first entered the automotive business, establishing what would become a multi-generational dealership dynasty uniquely intertwined with American political history.
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7|The McLarty Companies encompasses 11 automotive dealerships located across five states, generating in excess of $600 million in annual revenue. The group's operations span Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, and other markets, with a brand portfolio that covers the full spectrum of American and international automotive manufacturers. The group's scale, combined with its political connections and unique ownership structure, has made it a notable player in the national dealership landscape, consistently ranking among the larger privately held dealer groups in the United States.
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9|What sets McLarty Automotive Group apart from virtually any other dealer organization is its direct connection to the highest levels of American government. Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty III, the group's chairman, served as President Bill Clinton's first White House Chief of Staff from 1993 to 1994 and later as Counselor to the President and Special Envoy for the Americas. This unique intersection of automotive retail and national politics has given the McLarty organization a profile and set of relationships that distinguish it from every other dealer group in the country. The group has leveraged these connections not for political advantage in the automotive space but rather as a reflection of the family's long-standing tradition of public service and civic engagement.
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13|## Company Snapshot
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15|| Field | Details |
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17|| Full Legal Name | McLarty Companies / McLarty Automotive Group |
18|| Headquarters | Little Rock, Arkansas |
19|| Founded | 1921 (first dealership established by grandfather of Thomas F. McLarty III) |
20|| Founder | The McLarty Family (Thomas F. McLarty, Sr.) |
21|| Current Owner/CEO | Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty III (Chairman) |
22|| Revenue (estimated) | $600+ million (McLarty Companies, as reported) |
23|| Dealerships/Rooftops | 11 (McLarty Companies) plus additional through RML Automotive joint venture |
24|| Franchises | 47 (through RML Automotive partnership with RLJ Companies) |
25|| Brands Represented | Ford, Lincoln, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, plus others through RML |
26|| Regions/States | Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, and others across South Central, Southeast, and Midwest US |
27|| Website | www.mclartyco.com |
28|| Employees | 1,000+ (estimated) |
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32|## History & Founding
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34|The McLarty family's involvement in automotive retail began in 1921, when Thomas F. McLarty, Jr.'s father — Mack McLarty's grandfather — founded an automotive dealership in Hope, Arkansas. This small-town dealership in southwestern Arkansas would become the foundation of a business empire that would eventually span multiple states and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. The early years of the dealership reflected the challenges and opportunities of rural automotive retail in the early 20th century, as the automobile transformed American life and created new business opportunities across the country.
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36|Thomas F. McLarty, Jr., Mack's father, took over the family dealership and operated it through the mid-20th century, expanding and modernizing the business while raising a family in Hope. It was in this environment that Mack McLarty, born in Hope on June 14, 1946, developed the work ethic, business acumen, and community values that would characterize his entire career. As a child and young man, Mack worked in the family business, learning the fundamentals of automotive retail from the ground up.
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38|Mack McLarty's trajectory, however, was not limited to the family dealership. A gifted student and natural leader, he attended the University of Arkansas, where he was elected Student Body President and graduated summa cum laude in 1968 with a degree in business administration. Following graduation, he returned to Hope to join his father in the family business, but his talents soon drew him into public service. At age 23, he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, serving one term from 1971 to 1973.
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40|After his legislative service, McLarty focused his energies on growing the family business. He expanded the McLarty Companies' truck leasing operations and began the process of transforming a single rural dealership into a regional automotive group. However, his business career took a significant detour in 1983 when he became chairman and CEO of Arkla, Inc., a major natural gas company, a position he held until 1992.
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42|The most dramatic chapter in the McLarty story began in 1992, when his childhood friend Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States. Clinton, also from Hope, Arkansas, had known McLarty since childhood. In a move that reflected both their personal friendship and McLarty's business and political experience, Clinton appointed McLarty as his first White House Chief of Staff. McLarty served in this role from January 20, 1993, to July 17, 1994, and subsequently as Counselor to the President and Special Envoy for the Americas until June 1998.
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46|## Growth & Expansion
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48|The McLarty Companies' growth trajectory spans more than a century of American automotive history. Key milestones include:
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50|**1921: Founding**
51|- Thomas F. McLarty, Sr. (Mack's grandfather) establishes the first McLarty automotive dealership in Hope, Arkansas
52|- The dealership serves the local community in southwestern Arkansas during the early days of the automobile age
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54|**Mid-20th Century: Family Business Continuation**
55|- Thomas F. McLarty, Jr. takes over and operates the family dealership
56|- Mack McLarty grows up working in the family business
57|- The business expands through truck leasing and related operations
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59|**1970s-1980s: Initial Expansion**
60|- Following his legislative service, Mack McLarty focuses on growing the family automotive business
61|- Expansion into new markets and brands
62|- Diversification of operations beyond the original Hope location
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64|**1993-1998: The Clinton White House Years**
65|- Mack McLarty serves as White House Chief of Staff and Counselor to the President
66|- While he is in Washington, the family business continues under the direction of other family members and professional management
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68|**1998-Present: Return and Major Expansion**
69|- McLarty returns to Arkansas after leaving the White House and reassumes leadership of the McLarty Companies
70|- Significant expansion of the automotive dealership network
71|- Growth to 11 dealerships across five states
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73|**2007: Formation of RML Automotive**
74|- In a landmark deal, McLarty Companies forms a partnership with Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET)
75|- The joint venture, RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC, operates as RML Automotive
76|- Johnson holds 60% ownership, making RML the largest minority-owned automotive dealership group in the United States
77|- Franklin McLarty (Mack's son) and Steve Landers also participate in the venture
78|- Jim Press, former president of Toyota North America, serves as president of RML Automotive
79|- RML Automotive grows to 47 automotive franchises across the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest regions
80|- RML ranked 25th on the 2017 Automotive News annual list of "Top 125 Dealerships in the U.S."
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82|**Present Day**
83|- McLarty Companies continues to operate 11 dealerships under direct family ownership
84|- Combined operations (McLarty Companies + RML Automotive) represent a major force in American automotive retail
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86|## The White House Years & Return to Business
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88|Mack McLarty's service in the Clinton administration represents one of the most remarkable chapters in American automotive dealership history. As White House Chief of Staff from January 1993 to July 1994, McLarty was responsible for managing the operations of the Executive Office of the President, overseeing the White House staff, and serving as the president's principal advisor on a wide range of domestic and foreign policy matters. His tenure coincided with a period of significant legislative activity, including the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the federal budget reconciliation, and the administration's healthcare reform effort.
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90|Following his service as Chief of Staff, McLarty served as Counselor to the President and Special Envoy for the Americas from 1994 to 1998. In this role, he focused on Western Hemisphere affairs, including trade policy, democratic development, and regional security issues. His work as Special Envoy involved extensive international travel and diplomatic engagement with leaders throughout the Americas.
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92|When McLarty left government service in June 1998, he returned to Arkansas and reassumed leadership of the family's automotive business. His return brought renewed focus on growth and expansion, leveraging the relationships, experience, and perspective gained during his years in Washington. The McLarty Companies entered a period of significant expansion under his renewed leadership, growing from its regional base to a multi-state operation.
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94|The combination of automotive retail leadership and high-level government service gave McLarty a unique perspective on the intersection of business and public policy. His experience in both sectors informed his approach to the automotive business, particularly as issues of trade policy, environmental regulation, and economic development became increasingly relevant to the industry.
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98|## Brand Portfolio
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100|The McLarty organization, through its direct operations and the RML Automotive joint venture, represents an extensive portfolio of automotive brands: 101| 102|Through McLarty Companies (Direct Ownership) 103|- Ford and Lincoln 104|- Toyota 105|- Honda 106|- Nissan 107|- Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac 108|- Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram 109| 110|Through RML Automotive Joint Venture (47 Franchises) 111|- Additional brands across multiple states including Dodge, Jeep, Subaru, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Fiat, Scion, Ford, Nissan, Ram 112|- Operations across the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest United States 113| 114|This comprehensive brand portfolio allows the McLarty organization to serve customers across virtually every segment of the automotive market, from economy cars to luxury vehicles and from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. 115| 116|--- 117| 118|## Operations & Business Philosophy 119| 120|McLarty Automotive Group operates with a business philosophy shaped by the family's unique combination of automotive retail experience, political engagement, and commitment to the communities it serves. Key elements of the group's operational approach include: 121| 122|Public Service Ethos: The McLarty family's deep involvement in public service has instilled a sense of civic responsibility that permeates the organization's culture. The group approaches business with an understanding that successful enterprises have obligations beyond profit maximization. 123| 124|Professional Management: Despite its family ownership, the McLarty Companies has embraced professional management practices, including the recruitment of top industry talent. The partnership with Jim Press, one of the most respected figures in the automotive industry, exemplifies this commitment to professional excellence. 125| 126|Strategic Partnerships: The formation of RML Automotive with Robert L. Johnson demonstrates the group's willingness to pursue innovative partnership structures that create competitive advantages. The RML joint venture combines the McLarty family's automotive expertise with Johnson's business acumen and capital resources. 127| 128|Multi-State Operations: Operating across five states requires sophisticated management systems, strong manufacturer relationships, and the ability to adapt to varying state regulatory environments and market conditions. 129| 130|Customer Focus: At the dealership level, the McLarty organization emphasizes customer satisfaction, facility quality, and service excellence as foundations for long-term success. 131| 132|--- 133| 134|## Community Impact & Philanthropy 135| 136|The McLarty family's commitment to community service extends from the group's founding to the present day. The family's philanthropic efforts reflect a belief that those who achieve business success have a responsibility to give back to their communities. 137| 138|The McLarty family has been involved in a wide range of charitable and civic initiatives in Arkansas and beyond. Mack McLarty's post-White House activities have included service on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, reflecting the family's broad engagement with civic and educational institutions. 139| 140|The family foundation supports education, healthcare, and community development initiatives, with a particular focus on Arkansas, where the family's roots remain deep. The McLarty name is associated with numerous charitable causes in the Little Rock area and throughout the state. 141| 142|--- 143| 144|## Leadership 145| 146|Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty III — Chairman of the McLarty Companies. Born June 14, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas. McLarty's extraordinary career spans automotive retail, energy, government service, and international consulting. As chairman, he provides strategic direction for the family's automotive operations while also leading McLarty Associates, an international strategic advisory firm headquartered in Washington, DC. 147| 148|Franklin McLarty — Mack McLarty's son, who has been actively involved in the family's automotive business, including the RML Automotive joint venture. The involvement of the next generation ensures continuity of the family's automotive legacy. 149| 150|Jim Press — President of RML Automotive. Press brought extraordinary credentials to the partnership, having served as President of Toyota North America and later as Vice Chairman of Chrysler. His industry expertise has been instrumental in the growth and success of RML Automotive. 151| 152|Robert L. Johnson — Partner in RML Automotive. The founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) brought both capital and business expertise to the joint venture, while also making RML the largest minority-owned automotive dealership group in the country. 153| 154|--- 155| 156|## Strategic Outlook 157| 158|McLarty Automotive Group, through both its direct operations and the RML Automotive joint venture, is positioned for continued success and potential expansion. Key strategic considerations include: 159| 160|Continued Partnership Growth: The RML Automotive model of partnership with diverse investors may provide a template for future expansion and capital formation. 161| 162|Geographic Diversification: With operations across five states and the broader RML footprint, the organization is well-positioned to pursue additional market opportunities. 163| 164|Industry Consolidation: As the automotive retail industry continues to consolidate, the McLarty organization's scale, relationships, and capital resources position it to participate in acquisition opportunities. 165| 166|Succession Planning: With the involvement of Franklin McLarty and other next-generation family members, the organization is preparing for continued family leadership. 167| 168|Legacy and Reputation: The McLarty family's unique place in American business and political history provides a foundation of reputation and relationships that continues to benefit the organization. 169| 170|The McLarty Automotive Group represents a distinctive chapter in the history of American automotive retail — a family business that grew from a small-town Arkansas dealership to a multi-state enterprise, intertwined with the highest levels of American government, and now positioned for continued growth through innovative partnerships and professional management. 171| 172|## The RML Automotive Partnership 173| 174|One of the most significant developments in the McLarty organization's modern history was the 2007 formation of RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC, operating as RML Automotive. This partnership brought together three distinct sets of capabilities and resources: the McLarty family's automotive retail expertise and deep industry relationships, Robert L. Johnson's business acumen and capital resources as founder of Black Entertainment Television, and the operational knowledge of the Landers family, another established Arkansas automotive family. 175| 176|The partnership structure was innovative for the automotive retail industry. Johnson held 60% ownership, making RML Automotive the largest minority-owned automotive dealership group in the United States — a distinction that carried both commercial and symbolic significance in an industry that has historically lacked diversity in dealership ownership. The partnership's scale and ownership structure positioned it favorably for franchise acquisitions and manufacturer relationships. 177| 178|Jim Press, one of the most respected figures in the global automotive industry, was recruited to serve as president of RML Automotive. Press's credentials included serving as President of Toyota North America, where he was the highest-ranking American executive in Toyota's global operations, and later as Vice Chairman of Chrysler. His deep industry knowledge, manufacturer relationships, and operational expertise brought extraordinary credibility and capability to the partnership. 179| 180|RML Automotive grew rapidly under this leadership structure, expanding to 47 automotive franchises across the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the United States. By 2017, RML Automotive had achieved sufficient scale to rank 25th on the Automotive News annual list of the "Top 125 Dealerships in the U.S." — a remarkable achievement for an organization that had been formed less than a decade earlier. 181| 182|The RML partnership represents a model that other dealer groups have studied closely. By combining family automotive expertise, outside capital, diverse ownership, and professional management, the partnership created a structure that could pursue growth opportunities that might not be available to traditional single-family dealer groups. The success of RML has demonstrated that innovative ownership structures can create competitive advantages in the consolidating automotive retail industry. 183| 184|## McLarty Associates & Diversification 185| 186|Beyond automotive retail, the McLarty family's business interests have diversified significantly, most notably through McLarty Associates, an international strategic advisory firm headquartered in Washington, DC, that Mack McLarty founded and chairs. The firm provides geopolitical risk analysis, market entry strategy, and government relations counsel to corporations operating in international markets, leveraging McLarty's experience in government and his relationships with global leaders. 187| 188|This diversification reflects the McLarty family's broad business capabilities and has created synergies with the automotive operations. The global perspective gained through McLarty Associates informs the family's approach to the automotive business, which is increasingly affected by international trade policy, supply chain dynamics, and geopolitical considerations. 189| 190|The family's business interests also extend to energy, finance, and other sectors, reflecting the entrepreneurial tradition established by the founding generation in Hope, Arkansas, and carried forward by Mack McLarty and subsequent generations. 191|
Sources: McLarty Automotive Group website, Arkansas business press, Automotive News, McLarty family biography and historical records, Washington DC business press, RML Automotive public records.