4 generations of family leadership at Grappone Automotive

Starting at age 16, Amanda Grappone Osmer worked at the family’s auto dealership in the summers to earn money, but had other plans for a career. Car sales wasn’t her thing.

She graduated from Concord High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from the University of New Hampshire, and did another stint in the car business as she tried to find her way.

Then, 9/11 happened. A month later, Osmer drove her Volkswagen Eurovan to California, and took the only job she could find — selling Lexus cars. “The one thing I didn’t want do,” she said.

Two years later, Osmer turned 30, and her father, Robert Grappone, turned 60, and was thinking about retirement. “He called me, wondering about my plans for the future,” she said. She understood then, working for a publicly-traded dealership that valued the bottom line predominantly was vastly different than her family’s privately-owned operation, which focused on staff and customers.

She went back to fold into the Grappone Auto Group. “I realized that while I’m not a car person, I’m a people person, and I’d love the opportunity to work with people all day, every day,” she said. “I loved the idea of carrying on the business. That started to hold a little more weight for me.”

First woman president at Grappone

In December, several months after a restructuring of the 102-year-old Grappone Automotive of Concord and Bow,  Osmer, of Sanbornton, was named president and chief vision officer. She replaced Larry Haynes, the former president and chief executive officer, who retired after 28 years at the dealership.

Shortly after she stepped into her new role, Osmer, 52, realized she is the first woman to be president of her family’s fourth-generation business. She felt a deeper connection to her great-grandmother Emanuela Grappone, who co-founded Grappone’s first automotive business venture with her husband, Rocco, in Concord, in 1924.

Wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Emanuela and her two daughters, Helen and Minnie — who worked with their mother at a local auto parts manufacturer to save enough money to launch the business — Osmer recently posted on LinkedIn, “To all the Grappone women who have come before me, thank you for being a critical part of our founding. I’ll do you proud.”

Restructuring to give back

Grappone’s leaders shared publicly in April 2025, that they planned to sell the Toyota and Hyundai facets of the business to the McGovern Auto Group. That deal was finalized in the fall.

Grappone Automotive retained Grappone Ford, Grappone Honda and Grappone Mazda, all separate dealerships; the Ford Commercial Vehicle Center, which specializes in vans, trucks, and mobile service vehicles; and the parts and distribution network known as Grappone’s Wholesale Parts Operation.

Robert retired from the day-to-day business in 2008, and he and Osmer’s mother, Bev, had charitable giving goals, so in 2025, they decided to downsize.

“The only way for them to reach their charitable giving goal was to sell off some of the business,” Osmer said.

In November 2025, the Grappones made a sizable donation to Saint Anselm College in memory of their late son Greg, who attended the school. Greg and Amanda were the only two of the five siblings to make a career out of the family business. Greg was chief information officer before he died in 2015, at 35, after long struggles with cancer diagnoses.

What other leaders say

With the exception of Haynes, the current executive team has been together since 2008, when Robert retired.

Dave Hammond is chief operating officer; Lynda Nelson, chief administrative officer; and Claire Racine, chief human resources officer. They all have full confidence in Osmer.

Hammond has worked with her for over three decades, and said she brings vision and energy, along with a genuine commitment to people, culture and community. He’s excited about Osmer’s focus on people, and her ability to ensure Grappone remains strong, sustainable and family-owned.

Nelson said Osmer has passion and drive. “When she sets her mind on something, nothing stands in her way — 'no' is simply not part of her vocabulary.

“She approaches challenges with determination and resilience, refusing to let obstacles slow her down or deter her from the goals she is pursuing."

Racine said Osmer lives up to her title as a visionary. “She likes to try new things, and allows her teams to do the same,” she said, adding, “She always puts her team first. She is right beside her team, learning every day. She will keep the company strong.”

Deep roots, rich history live on

The roots of the Grappone story go back to the turn of the century.

Emanuela D’Orlando arrived in the United States in 1900, and married Rocco Grappone in 1905. They settled in Montpelier, Vermont, and moved to Concord, in 1913. Ten years later, Rocco bought his first car, a Buick Touring, and the following year, the couple purchased the North State Street filling station.

Grappone & Sons began a legacy.

“It’s a classic American dream story,” Osmer said. “Two immigrants came here.

"They started a small business to feed their family, and parlayed that into an even more successful business that became established and trusted.”

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Grappone Automotive in November 2024, Osmer researched the family and business, and published a book on the history. She says the business is even more meaningful to her now.

“I realize how difficult it is to get as far as we’ve gotten. I’m very proud of it.”

Her goals are the same as those of her great-grandparents. “To do the right thing, take care of people, and be profitable.”

And like them, she feels she is simply doing what she needs to do to take care of her family. She and her husband, Tom, have two girls, Abigail, 18, and Mary, 20, and a son, Henry, 19.

Recently, they held a family meeting to talk about the future. Henry is interested in being more involved in the business, and currently studies business and finance at the University of New England. Abigail is also intrigued, but Mary is finishing a degree from UNH in sustainable agriculture and food systems, and has her eye on being a stay-at-home mom.

“My job is placeholder for the fourth generation until the fifth generation comes in,” Osmer said.