Rusty Drewing steers the standard in the Mid-Missouri auto industry.

It’s a simple phrase — “Hi, I’m Rusty” — but for anyone who’s stepped foot in one of his dealerships, it’s a signature moment. This is how Rusty Drewing greets customers daily at his namesake stores: Rusty Drewing Toyota and Rusty Drewing Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Mercedes-Benz of Columbia, and BMW of Columbia in Columbia, Missouri

“I never want anyone to assume they know who I am,” he says. “I don’t walk around with a sign that says I’m Rusty, but the red hair and the suit usually give it away.”

In truth, Rusty isn’t his given name. Born Grant Drewing, he was nicknamed by his mother, honoring her father, Robert, who dreamed of having a red-headed son named Rusty. Though Robert had three daughters and passed before Rusty was born, the name lives on.

“We actually pulled an April Fool’s prank recently where we temporarily changed the name to ‘Grant Drewing Toyota,’” Rusty says. “People were definitely confused, which was the point.”

Despite deep family roots in the auto industry, putting his name on the dealership wasn’t part of Rusty’s original plan.

“All these years, it never crossed my mind to name a store after myself,” he admits. “Even after we agreed to purchase the Riley stores, I wasn’t sure what I’d call them. It was my wife and my dad who encouraged me. Now, I take real pride in it. Having your name on the sign means you care about everything that happens inside.”

And that care is evident in every detail — from the way he treats customers and employees to the family-friendly atmosphere inside each showroom. Rusty’s legacy is built from both sides of the family. While many associate the Drewing name with his father’s success in Mid-Missouri’s auto scene, Rusty’s ties to the business run even deeper. His maternal grandfather, Robert Hespen, was a general manager at Clinton Cadillac in St. Louis, Missouri. Though Rusty never met him, he credits both sides of the family with influencing his path.

“He makes everyone feel valued, whether you’re buying your first car or celebrating your 20th work anniversary.”

Dusty Volle, BMW of Columbia

Gary Drewing, Rusty’s father, began his journey in the automobile industry in the early 1980s when he left St. Louis to become general manager at Capital City Ford in Jefferson City. Not long after, A.J. Neuner facilitated an introduction between Gary and legendary Columbia dealer Joe Machens. That partnership shaped the future of Missouri auto sales. Gary eventually bought out the Machens family and grew the company into a regional powerhouse as Joe Machens Capital City Ford. Rusty grew up in that world — not just watching, but listening

“I used to ride in my dad’s BMW convertible on Sundays, hearing him talk business,” Rusty recalls. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was absorbing everything.”

With an early start and entrepreneurial instincts even before he officially joined the business, Rusty showed signs of being a natural entrepreneur. At 8 years old, he launched a soda stand at his brother’s soccer game.

“There wasn’t anywhere to buy drinks, so I set up shop,” he laughs. “I sold out by half time.”

Sports also played a big role in his early life. A standout football player at Hickman High School, he earned All-State honors before attending Truman State University. After graduating, Rusty returned to what felt like home— the dealership floor. In 2005, he began working full-time in pre-owned vehicle sales, bringing a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of customer needs. He quickly rose through the ranks, introducing early digital tools and transparent pricing to modernize the business. By 2008, he was a part owner and helped steer operations through the economic downturn, leaning into customer loyalty and creative strategy. Under a new name but with the same commitment, the family sold the Joe Machens group, retaining BMW and Mercedes-Benz of Columbia in 2015. Six years later, in 2021, Rusty purchased Riley Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac and Riley Toyota in Jefferson City — a pivotal moment in his career.

“Rusty leads with heart,” says Jay Schnieders, long-time general manager and member of the Riley family.

“He makes everyone feel valued, whether you’re buying your first car or celebrating your 20th work anniversary,” adds Dusty Volle, a service adviser at BMW of Columbia. “In 32 years of working in the car business, I wouldn’t want to work for anyone else. He is just the most humble, generous guy.”

The culture Rusty has cultivated is approachable and unexpected. Think coffee bars, arcades, and a giant Skittles dispenser.

“People remember how you make them feel,” Rusty says. “So, we try to make the experience memorable, not just transactional.”

That same mindset also extends to supporting dozens of local nonprofits, often behind the scenes. One of his favorite memories is buying out the remaining stock of a closing Toys R Us and donating it all to charity.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” he says.

Creating a brand with heart and having a face customers know in a world where auto dealerships can feel impersonal, Rusty’s stores are anything but. His leader-ship style is personal and people-first.

“He’s the best of both his parents — his dad’s work ethic, his mom’s kindness,” says Rusty’s lifelong friend, Brian Neuner, chief development officer for Special Olympics Missouri. “What he’s done for our athletes, from financial support to confidence-building moments, is extraordinary.”

At the end of the day, Rusty is a dad behind the dealerships. He finds the most pride not in titles or sales volume, but in his role at home. He and his wife, Shannon, a respected realtor, are raising two sons: Rory and Rowan.

“They’ve changed everything for me,” Rusty says. “I’velearned to slow down and appreciate life more. The otherday, we were driving, and Rory told me it’s time to buildanother dealership. He tells me he wants to work with mesomeday, but he tells his mom the same — so apparently,he’s planning to work two jobs,” Rusty laughs. “Whatev-er they choose, I just want my boys to grow up to be kind,respectful, and good people. That’s all that matters.”

Looking ahead, Rusty remains focused not on compe-tition but on continuous improvement.“We don’t spend time worrying about what otherdealerships are doing,” he says. “We focus on how wecan be better — for our customers, for our employees,and for the communities we serve.”It’s not just a mission; it’s a mindset. And it’s one thatexplains why the name Rusty Drewing doesn’t just siton a sign; it stands for something much bigger.

1980 The Drewing family moved to Jefferson City. Gary Drewing went to work at Capital City Ford.
1982 Rusty Drewing was born.
1983 The Drewing family moved to Columbia, Missouri, and Gary Drewing became a partner at Joe Machens Ford.
1984 The BMW franchise is purchased in Jefferson City and relocated to Columbia by Gary Drewing Sr. BMW is the longest held franchise of the group, now at 41 years.
2005 The Drewing family became the sole owners of Machens Dealerships, and Rusty Drewing began working day-to-day in the business.
2008 Legend Automotive Group is purchased and renamed Joe Machens Automotive Group. Rusty Drewing also becomes a part owner along with Gary Drewing Sr.
2010 Joe Machens Automotive Group acquired Estes Motors, commencing operations as Joe Machens Hyundai and Joe Machens East Collision Center.
2011 Joe Machens acquired Capital City Ford from Mike Kehoe.
2012 Joe Machens acquired the Volkswagen franchise and commenced operations on Vandiver Drive.
2013 Joe Machens Mercedes-Benz spun off to become Mercedes-Benz of Columbia and commenced operations in a new state-of-the-art facility.
2015 Gary and Rusty Drewing sold 16 franchises and eight stores to McLarty Automotive Group.
2017 BMW opened a state-of-the-art facility in Columbia, Missouri.
2021 Rusty Drewing purchased Riley Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac and Riley Toyota from the Riley brothers.
2024 Became #1 New Car Dealer in Mid-Missouri (Columbia and Jefferson City).