For the last week, callers to Garvin Motors have been greeted over the telephone with the cheerful reply of “Yellowstone Motors.”

That soft announcement was made official this week with the introduction of Anthony Brownlee as the dealership’s new owner. He acquires Garvin Motors from Rod Garvin and Marty Bratt. The newly christened Yellowstone Motors is the first acquisition of Brownlee’s umbrella organization, Brownlee Automotive.

Garvin Motors has been a fixture in the business community of Powell for nearly 30 years. Garvin purchased the dealership from Bill Whitlock in 1990.

Yellowstone Motors has acquired all the automotive lines which Garvin’s featured. They include Toyota, Chevrolet and Buick GMC.

The transaction has been in the works for quite some time, long enough for Brownlee to see promise in Powell.

“It all starts with respect — respect for the community and for the Garvin and Bratt families,” he said Wednesday. “As I’ve gotten to know the people here in the store, I’m very impressed. I think Powell has a tremendous future.”

The Yellowstone Motors owner grew up in Los Angeles and began his 20 years of experience in the car industry in California. He moved to Denver in 2006 and initially worked for Lithia Motors there.  In 2011, he became a part-owner of Land Rover Denver.

Though he will divide time between Powell and Denver, “I will be a part of the Powell community,” Brownlee said.

“Geography has never been a barrier,” he said. “I love to travel. I love to explore. I’ve always found where opportunity is. The number one thing for me is a good group of people in a great community. I think that is Powell.”

Vince Smith has been hired by Brownlee to provide the full-time executive management at Yellowstone Motors. He is relocating to Powell.

There will be little change noticed in the transition. Brownlee said he is fortunate that the foundation of the business is very healthy.

“We just want to build on that,” he said, emphasizing that, “I’m very excited to keep all employees.”

Brownlee also added that “the Garvin and Bratt families are always welcome at this dealership.”

Marty Bratt said he hopes to work through the details of the transition by the end of the year before he steps away.

“At my age and my lack of knowing how to do business in the digital age, I’m causing Garvin Motors to not be as good as it could be,” Bratt said. “Those are Anthony [Brownlee]’s strengths, which will lift this business to the next level.”

The Garvin and the Bratt families plan to remain in Powell. Bratt said he looks forward to becoming more involved in the community.