numerous departments at each location. It is a great responsibility to employ this many people.” There are many challenges facing the auto industry today. “Many, if not all of us, would have the same answer as to the most pressing challenge in our industry, and that is the supply chain issues we’ve faced since 2020,” he stated. “This has been a very long and drawn-out challenge that has affected some manufacturers more than others; however, on a positive note, it has given us the opportunity to show our resiliency and adaptability.” Steve went on to say that another pressing challenge faced as an industry is dealing with the many new laws passed by local, state and federal governments that impact business. Steve is a Northern California native. He grew up in the Bay Area before moving to Sacramento the summer before his senior year of high school when his father had the opportunity to purchase a local Ford dealership. He attended Sac State and graduated with a B.S. in business administration. Steve was a collegiate athlete on the Men’s Gymnastics team and became an All-American. He was also the founding president of the Xi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and is still involved with the university, proudly supporting the Sacramento State Athletics Fund. Steve and his late wife, Vicki, are grateful to have a wonderful, tight-knit family. They have a son (and daughter-in-law), daughter (and son-in-law), three granddaughters, two grandsons, two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. His son, Geoff Pleau, is the COO and president of the Future Automotive Group. Additionally, all five of his grandchildren have worked at different points in time in various dealership positions — including his oldest grandchild, Reilly Pleau, who has worked in the organization full-time since January 2020. “I am very proud to have worked with multiple generations of my own family in the automotive industry,” Steve concluded. A 36 California New Car Dealer Quarterly
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