Franklin McLarty

Franklin McLarty is Senior Vice President of RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive, a McLarty family dealerships in southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas. The fourth generation of his family to join the automotive retail business, Mr. McLarty previously worked in the high-end hospitality sector. After launching his supervisory and management career at the five-star Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, he moved on to sales management at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Miami and, in 2001, joined The Biltmore’s parent company, The Seaway Group, where he managed acquisitions, development and divestitures. Upon joining the Tampa-based McKibbon Hotel Group in 2003, Mr. McLarty oversaw the divestiture of more than $135 million in commercial real estate. Since then, Mr. McLarty has maintained ties to the hospitality industry as a member of the Seaway Group’s advisory board. In 2007, Governor Mike Beebe appointed Mr. McLarty to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where he served as Chairman in 2009. Drawing on his entrepreneurial experience and his Arkansas roots, Mr. McLarty helps guide the Commission’s efforts in job creation, community building and workforce training.In addition, Mr. McLarty serves on the Board of Directors for the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McLarty plays an active civic role in his hometown as a board member of City Year Little Rock and The Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas. A founding member of City Year’s Citizens Team, he supports the nonprofit organization’s efforts in uniting young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service. In addition, he has served on finance and fundraising committees for community organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Carnaval Arkansas Art Center Committee. Most recently, Mr. McLarty joined the Little Rock Film Festival’s board of directors. Mr. McLarty earned his B.A. from the University of Richmond and an M.B.A. from the University of Miami. He and his wife Gabriela “Gabby” McLarty live in Little Rock with their daughter, Brianna.