Chris Garman, the new president of Peoria-based Wilhelm Automotive,
knows he breaks the mold. Family businesses don’t often manage to entice the third generation to take over.
“I was no different,” said the 34-year-old Garman, who takes the reins from his uncle Thomas Gyder, the son of Charley Gyder, who bought the auto-repair company in 1979.
Garman tried to forge a different career, managing an architectural firm for several years, but says he was lured back 10 years ago by Wilhelm’s opportunities. Now he’s looking to the future of the company. Read on…