It’s 3:00 PM on a recent Saturday, and Neil is on the air at 93.3 FM, talking about cars with Matt Adams, a former Cardinals first baseman and loyal Audi customer. When planning his radio show, Driven w/Neil Westfall, Neil knew he didn’t want a program focused on torque curves and trim packages. Instead, he wanted a place where people could share the journeys that shaped them. "Most generally, telling the stories of humans being human is what people care about," Neil said. "It's what I care about.”
As General Manager of Audi Exchange Kirkwood, Neil leads one of the nation's top Audi dealerships. The idea that cars can lead to something greater drives everything he does. “Cars are the common language, but the real story is always the people."
Neil brought together some of his friends to discuss what it means to be community-driven. Former Kirkwood Mayor Tim Griffin, retired city attorney John Hessel, former Missouri Senator Mike Gibbons, and local business owner Rusty Baker shared their perspectives.
“It’s helpful to know what the community has looked like, and to understand how we got to where we are,” said Tim Griffin. “But if we don’t keep an eye on the potential for our future, we’re not moving forward. If we keep things the way they are, the way they have always been, we’re not growing. Communities that look forward, drive progress through new technology, diverse housing types, and varied retail environments.”
“When I think of being community-driven, I think of the wonderful people in our community who are kind and respectful to each other,” said John Hessel. “We are all neighbors who live together, and we can disagree, but we can also have a conversation without being disagreeable or hateful. We are not alike, and that is a good thing. I also think about the community holding on to aspects of Kirkwood’s past, like the Train Station and so many other marvelous buildings, while moving forward with some change. The Audi dealership and new buildings, like KPAC, are great examples of making progress with a new look.”
“For me, being community-driven means understanding that success isn’t something you achieve in isolation—it’s something you build alongside others,” said Rusty Baker, owner of several local businesses, including Namaste Yoga and Cafe Amalia in Kirkwood. “As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve had the opportunity to start and grow businesses, but the most meaningful part of that journey has always been the people and the community around me. Kirkwood isn’t just a place where I work—it’s a place I’m invested in by supporting local businesses, mentoring others who are just getting started, and creating opportunities that extend beyond myself. It’s about showing up, contributing, and helping build something that lasts. At the end of the day, business is personal. When you care about your community, you make decisions differently; you think long-term, you value relationships, and you measure success not just by profit but by impact. That’s what drives me.”
Mike Gibbons said, “Giving back to this community was driven into my sister and me by my parents' actions. They were both very involved in the community. My dad was active with the Kirkwood Kiwanis, Kirkwood Library Board, and the Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce, serving as President in 1982. My Mom was involved with Grace Church and was the first woman to serve as Senior Warden of the Vestry.” He added, “Being community-driven is making a commitment to the people around you to develop and deepen relationships, investing time, talent, and treasure to make things better for everyone.”
Neil agrees. As president of the St. Louis European Auto Show, Neil has showcased thousands of luxury vehicles and raised significant funds for charity. This year, the St. Louis European Auto Show, co-hosted by Lit Cigar Lounge, relocates to The District in Chesterfield, making it easier for car fans and families to enjoy a day of entertainment and dining. The St. Louis European Auto Show is on Sunday, June 14th, from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is free for attendees. Car registration supports St. Louis Arc, which empowers those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "Community, charity, and cars—it all goes together," Neil says. "Everybody wins."
For Neil, being community-driven isn’t just his philosophy—he says it’s the only way he knows.