Butch Oustalet started in the auto business in 1969, working at his dad’s Ford dealership in Gulfport, Mississippi, first as a service writer, and then after about a year, he became the service manager. Shortly after that, he became a salesman in that dealership and did so well that he was promoted to sales manager before becoming the general manager. His father was committed to helping the community and Butch saw first-hand the positive impact that made. Butch explained, “While my father’s work ethic and unwavering dedication to his customers greatly inspired me, it really was his spirit of giving that impacted me most.”
On April 1, 1984, Butch bought out his father and took over the family business. Over the next 54 years, Butch’s dealerships grew to great success. Butch prioritized giving back to the community in many ways and his passion for supporting and caring for others never wavered.
As part of supporting the community, Butch and his dealerships played an active role with the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association (MADA). “I’ve done it all,” Butch said. He served as secretary-treasurer, chairman-elect and finally chairman. He was also selected to be the NADA representative from Mississippi and on the board of the Dealer Council. “Normally, board members serve for four years but I served 12 years,” Butch recalled. He also served on the Ford Credit Advisory Board.
In 2023, Butch sold his dealerships and instead of retiring, he dedicated himself to continuing his family’s legacy of helping and giving to others. The day he sold his dealerships, Butch said, “Today is the first day of my new life.” He may not be greeting customers anymore, but Butch is actively involved in caring for his community and is more excited than ever to focus on helping others through the Butch Oustalet Foundation.
Butch Oustalet Foundation
“When I sold out a year ago, I realized that I had to make a decision about the rest of my life. I knew I wanted to spend my time helping people,” Butch said. “God has blessed me in many ways and I felt like it was my responsibility to make sure that I helped as many people as possible, so I started the Butch Oustalet Foundation. This is not about me, it’s about God.”
The Butch Oustalet Foundation believes in the transformative power of generosity. The team is dedicated to creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Their goal is to honor Butch’s legacy by fostering a culture of giving through strategic partnerships, fundraising events and heartfelt outreach.
“I often say that when I’m gone, I don’t want to be remembered as a good businessman. I want to be remembered as a good person. And I believe the Good Lord is still guiding me to that goal,” Butch said.
The foundation supports amazing organizations such as the Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi and the Home of Grace.
The most recent recipient of the foundation’s generosity was the Home of Grace, which has served as a beacon of hope for over 50 years for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Founded on faith and rooted in love, the Home of Grace has become a leader in successful recovery by introducing Jesus Christ as the catalyst for hope, healing and quality of life.
The Home of Grace offers highly effective and affordable programs that help both men and women find hope, freedom from their addiction and most importantly, healing in effort to bring families back together.
Money was raised at a local restaurant where the foundation threw a “Get Down and Derby” themed party that had all the pomp and circumstance you’d expect from the Kentucky Derby. “On July 1, the foundation made a huge donation of $80,000 to Home of Grace,” Butch said with pride. “It’s not my money; it’s God’s money. God has blessed me in so many ways and He expects me to help and bless other people, and so that’s what I do.”
Butch, and the foundation, have big plans for the future, and he hopes that his fellow dealers will also continue to give back to their communities — helping the underprivileged, supporting good causes and bringing the bright light of compassion to otherwise dark situations.
To learn more about the Butch Oustalet Foundation, visit www.butchoustalet.org.
