This past Friday was the end of an era of entrepreneurism in our region when Cliff Overvold passed away near his winter home in Florida.
For decades Overvold was the driving force at Overvold Motors, a legendary GM auto dealership in this part of the world. He also was a man of deep faith and family commitment, balancing the pressures of business and home in favor of God, family and friends.
Many may not be aware, however, of the vision this man possessed, nor his willingness to act decisively at the cutting edge of trends and technology. Overvold was not a genius, but he was a business genius. He didn't know everything, but there wasn't anything he was unwilling to learn as he sought to build new roads for others to travel. He had a serious mission in life to make calculated risks become new successes. Following his sale of the dealership, Overvold set out in the region to help change the way some people think about certain industries, present and future. And he insisted in building his new ventures through empowering others to learn and achieve.
Overvold always had a plan, and following that plan meant the realization of dreams by many who engaged with him in his journey to be the best.
I am proud Overvold was a mentor of mine and others, enriching our talents and lives in so many ways. But most of all, he was an incredible friend who will live on in all of us whom he touched with his love, wisdom and strength.
