Portfolio Group Names Brent E. Griggs President
Irvine, CA – Portfolio Group appointed Brent E. Griggs as the company’s president. He joins Portfolio Group from Lyndon Property Insurance Co., where he served as Chairman and CEO. Griggs also joins the Board of Directors, which is chaired by Thomas A. Dattilo, a 37 year automotive industry executive who formerly served as CEO of Cooper Tire, and includes Steve Burke, founder and CEO of Portfolio Group, along with Ron Kuehl and Paul Carbery of Frontenac Co.
Founded in 1990, Portfolio Group provides its more than 900 dealer clients management of all facets of dealers’ aftermarket, extended warranty and vehicle service contract programs, including establishing and administering dealer-owned risk transfer and reinsurance companies. Frontenac Co., a middle-market private equity firm, recently completed a majority investment in Portfolio Group.
“Portfolio Group is highly respected in the automotive finance and insurance industry for its passionate focus on enhancing the value of every dealer customer and I am excited to join the Portfolio team,” said Griggs. “We believe there is significant growth potential from combining Portfolio’s outstanding people and proven business model with the strength and resources of a trusted, value-added partner like Frontenac.”
“Brent’s industry experience, coupled with his proven leadership skills, will enable the company to accelerate its marketing efforts, take advantage of new opportunities and enhance operational efficiencies to elevate the company’s growth to the next level,” said Burke. “Part of the reason we formed our partnership with Frontenac was to have the resources and ability to invest in human capital talent for the future; bringing Brent to the team positions us for the long-term growth of our business.”
“Frontenac’s investment in Portfolio Group and the addition of Brent’s strong leadership is another good example of our long history of executive partnerships aimed at assisting high potential companies to achieve their full capabilities,” added Kuehl.
In addition to his service at Lyndon Property Insurance Company, Griggs led Protective Life Corporation’s Asset Protection Division. This division included the company’s dealer finance and insurance business, which he helped grow into an industry leader in the vehicle service contract, GAP and credit insurance markets. Before joining Protective, Griggs co-founded AutoQuest Administrative Services, a national vehicle service contract marketer and administrator. Griggs began his career with Chevron Corporation in San Francisco where he served in various finance leadership positions.
More Industry

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →