Isringhausen transitioning to second generation of leadership

Isringhausen Imports, 229 E. Jefferson St. in downtown Springfield, was founded 45 years ago by car enthusiast Rob Isringhausen. His brother Geoff joined him as the company’s fourth employee in January 1984. The business has remained family owned and operated throughout its history. Below is a Q&A with Geoff Isringhausen regarding plans to continue that legacy into the future, along with a discussion about the advantages and challenges of running a successful and growing family business.  

Tell us about the generational leadership of Isringhausen Imports.  

We are proudly operating in our first generation of leadership, though we are actively transitioning toward our second. My brother, Rob, founded the business in 1981 on South 11th Street as a small, pre-owned car operation. He was just 25 years old and driven entirely by his deep love for automobiles. What started as a passionate hobby quickly expanded into nationwide trading. I joined him in 1984, right before we made the pivotal move to our downtown location on Jefferson Street. Today, I remain fully active in the daily operations and serve as the dealer principal. Over the past 45 years, we have evolved from those humble beginnings into a premier automotive destination, bringing world-class luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo directly into the heart of our city.

Is there a next generation coming up in the business and a succession plan to keep the business family owned?

Yes, preserving our family legacy is incredibly important to us. Succession in a highly specialized, luxury automotive group requires careful, deliberate planning to ensure the business thrives for decades to come. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated group of next-generation family members active in the store today. This team includes my son-in-law Cory Libka, our general manager; Geoff Isringhausen Jr., special vehicle procurement manager; Luke Isringhausen, our new vehicle operations manager; and Joe Isringhausen in Porsche sales. Each brings unique strengths to the table, and together, they are learning the complexities of the business, so we can ensure the dealership remains locally and family owned far into the future.

What are the pros and cons of being a family-owned car dealership?

The greatest benefit is the deep, personal accountability we have to our community and our staff. When your family name is on the building, your reputation is tied to every single transaction. We treat our clients like neighbors, which has allowed us to thrive in our historic downtown location while others have moved around the perimeters of town.

The primary challenge of a family business is that business decisions and family dynamics are deeply connected, making long-term planning incredibly tough. Passing the torch isn’t just about who gets what title; it’s a huge emotional hurdle, especially when a family faces unexpected losses. Plus, running global brands like BMW, Porsche and Mercedes means we have to satisfy strict corporate rules about who takes over, not just our own family wishes. 

Finding the right harmony between family dynamics and corporate requirements takes a lot of time and patience — but protecting what we’ve built for our community makes every bit of that hard work worth it. 

This article appears in July SBJ 2026.