By: Ava Brown
“I started on AM radio,” Howard Pearl recalled. “I went to work at a local radio station in the city I lived in, and it was something that I’d aspired to for many years.”
That first step launched a career spanning decades. Pearl later led marketing firms, built off-road vehicles in China, and took companies public. But his most meaningful role came when he reluctantly joined CARS Charitable Adult Rides & Services, a nonprofit that helps thousands of organizations raise money through vehicle and property donations.
“What was supposed to be a 45 to 90-day assignment,” he said, “within the first 10 days, I knew I was going to stay.” Today, as CEO, Pearl oversees nearly 100,000 vehicle donations each year and the distribution of more than $70 million annually to nonprofits.
Pearl shared these insights during his interview on The Pivot Experience Podcast with host Alexandrew Seale, where he reflected on leadership, culture, and nonprofit growth.
Integrity, Transparency, and Respect
When asked about his leadership principles, Pearl was direct. “Integrity has to be where it begins. You really have to commit to walking up the middle. There’s no dark white or light gray. It’s right or it’s wrong.”
For him, integrity isn’t an abstract value. It shows up in daily business decisions.
“People say, oh, it’s easy to have all this pious integrity and be a moral corporation when your business is succeeding. Well, your business is succeeding because you have this moral clarity. It’s not the other way around.”
Pearl also emphasized respect at every level. He shared a story from his earlier career when a receptionist’s attentiveness helped secure a major contract. “She won that piece of business for us,” he said. “So don’t discount the receptionist… every single individual has the opportunity to be carrying that ball for you that day.”
Gratitude and Margin
At CARS, Pearl has built the organization’s mission around two words. “The only two things that are really important when you’re doing nonprofit work are the following two words, which are basically our mantra, gratitude and margin.”
That philosophy shaped how CARS expanded from a vehicle donation program into broader services, including property gifts and a senior transportation network. “We raise money to support our nonprofit by raising money for other nonprofits, which means basically we are a hundred percent of service,” Pearl explained.
Humility Over Ego
During the podcast’s Tug of War segment, Pearl was asked to choose between confidence and humility. His answer was immediate. “Humility. I didn’t build this business. The people who work with me did. I had the easiest job of all. I had to just create the vision and then stand up in the front of the boat and say, we’re going that way. And then everybody behind me, they did the rowing, they did the heavy lifting.”
Pearl’s approach is shaped by experience. In his early years, he admits he was “a little high-strung and maybe wasn’t always the nicest guy to work for.” Over time, he discovered that culture, built on humility and respect, was what kept people motivated and organizations growing.
Service as the True Measure of Success
Pearl believes the value of leadership is measured by service. “Your rewards in life are going to be in direct proportion to the amount of service you provide to your fellow man,” he told the host. “You want to make more money? Provide a greater service. You want to make more money? Do more.”
Even after decades in leadership, Pearl shows no signs of slowing down. “People ask that all the time. Well, don’t you want to retire? Look, I want to play a game of golf. I’ll take a day off, and I’ll go play a game of golf. Why? Because we love our business.”
For Pearl, leadership is not about titles or personal recognition. It’s about building organizations where integrity, respect, and service create lasting impact.
