Click on the images below to learn more about our founder.
To learn more about Jim Moran’s legacy, please visit www.jimmoranfoundation.org.
In 1939, after saving every penny he could, Jim Moran put together $360 to purchase a Sinclair gas station that soon became the largest volume outlet in Chicago.
Jim Moran on the showroom floor of his Hudson dealership in Chicago during the grand opening of Courtesy Motors in 1948.
Jim Moran hosted a number of television shows, including the pictured “Barn Dance,” and was well-known as Jim Moran the Courtesy Man throughout Chicago in the 1940s and 1950s.
© 1995 The University of Arizona Foundation
One of the first dealers to advertise cars on television, Jim Moran and long-time associate, Harvey Rumsfield of Courtesy Motors and Southeast Toyota Distributors, broadcast live in 1950 from Courtesy Motors.
Jim Moran speaks to a customer outside his Courtesy Ford showroom in Chicago in 1959.
Jim Moran becomes the first and only automobile dealer to ever be featured on the cover of TIME magazine, March 24, 1961.
TIME and the RED BORDER design are registered trademarks of Time Inc. Used with permission.
On October 26, 1968, JM Family’s visionary founder, Jim Moran , signs an agreement in Japan with Toyota Motor Corporation to become the exclusive distributor of Toyotas in the southeastern United States – Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Jim Moran beside the newly released Toyota Avalon at JM Family’s headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in 1995.
Jim Moran: The Courtesy Man, an autobiography published in 1996.
Jim and Jan Moran celebrate the dedication of Jim Moran Boulevard at JM Family’s headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in May 2002.
Jim Moran with Dr. S. Toyoda gives associates a thumbs-up at Jacksonville’s Westlake Vehicle Processing Facility grand opening in 2003.
In 2005, Jim Moran is inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, the highest place of honor in the international motor vehicle industry.
Partnership is at the center of everything we do. We build mutually rewarding relationships with customers, business partners and communities to accomplish our mission of being a premier provider of products and services. The most important relationship is with our more than 5,000 associates who exemplify JM Family’s five core values, setting us apart and fueling our success.
We encourage different perspectives and treat people with respect, honesty and fairness.
We make our strongest contributions through collaboration and trusting relationships. By sharing knowledge, resources and talents, we make each other better.
We stay connected and engaged through the open exchange of ideas, information and honest feedback.
We prepare for the future by taking risks, learning from our experiences and finding new ways to do it better.
We treat this company like it’s our own and excel by expecting and delivering the best of ourselves and our teams.
The journey towards a diverse, equitable and inclusive world never ends. It requires continual improvement and a commitment to listening, learning and taking mindful action. We want to build on JM Family’s diverse workforce, using internal networking groups as safe spaces for honest dialogue, and training leaders who will carry these ideals to their peers and communities.
On October 26, 1968, Jim Moran signs the first distributor agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation in Tokyo, Japan, to serve the five Southeastern states — Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. Southeast Toyota Distributors begins with 11 associates in Pompano Beach, Florida, distributing Toyotas to 42 dealerships.
Deerfield Beach may be JM Family’s headquarters, but it wasn’t our original home. Our initial location was on the fourth floor of the Atlantic Federal Savings building in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Southeast Toyota becomes the first company in the automotive industry to computerize inventory control and report sales through a state-of-the-art Teletype 33 ASR. The introduction of Computer Assisted Retrieval Network Entry To Toyota (CAR-NETT) allows dealers to prepare parts and vehicle orders, and directly communicate with distribution.
To accommodate Southeast Toyota’s rapid growth, the Port Processing Center and Warehouse Parts Depot open with a 125,000-square-foot building that houses administrative offices and operational facilities.
Jim Moran initiates the “Toyota-Thon” sales event in Southeast Toyota’s five southern states area; the promotion becomes so successful that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. creates a nationwide Toyotathon program.
Tender Loving Care (TLC), a limited extended warranty program, launches to assist dealers with building their parts and service business and improve customer retention. TLC eventually evolves into what is now known as JM&A Group.
On January 19, a grand opening ceremony celebrates Southeast Toyota's new Parts Distribution Center constructed in the Baymeadows area of Jacksonville. The facility houses nearly 200,000 square feet of office and storage space dedicated to processing and distributing 22,000 parts from a 4.4-acre warehouse for delivery to 153 Toyota dealers.
World Omni Financial Corp. is established as the first captive auto finance company in the United States for an import automaker.
To accommodate future expansion, the company purchases a tract of land in Deerfield Beach to construct its new corporate headquarters. The 100 Building, completed in 1981, is the first structure in the campus master plan and designed by Jacksonville architect Robert Broward, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. At 33,000 square feet, the 100 Building is occupied by 90 associates.
JM Family's first Anniversary Celebration is held at the Pier 66 Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for associates who had worked with the company for 10 or more years as a way to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication. This tradition continues annually to recognize associates celebrating 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service.
Fidelity Insurance Agency, Inc., a member of JM&A Group, forms as an independent agency specializing in insurance products and risk management services for the retail automotive industry.
JM Family announces that associates and their families could now receive medical care at no cost from Dr. Joseph Kump, the company’s new corporate physician. Today, teams of physicians, nurses and physical therapists provide care with more than 30,000 annual patient visits in our onsite Health & Wellness Centers.
JM Lexus begins operations in the fall of 1989 on a 4.5-acre site in Margate, Florida. It soon becomes the No. 1 volume Lexus dealership in the world.
Southeast Toyota opens the Toyota Distribution Center of Commerce. The 100,000-square-foot facility constructed on a 300-acre site was the first distribution center built to process new Toyota vehicles produced in North America and received by rail from plants in California and Kentucky.
World Omni combines its servicing operation from multiple field branches into one facility located in Mobile, Alabama. To commemorate the new Customer Service Center’s opening, a reception is held for more than 75 associates, known as the Mobile Charter Club.
Pat Moran assumes JM Family’s presidency in March. She had served as Executive Vice President of JM Family and President of SET since 1989.
JM Lexus earns the Elite of Lexus distinction for the first time in honor of the dealership’s high customer service ratings, and ends the year as the largest-volume Lexus dealership in the world.
To celebrate Southeast Toyota Distributors’ 25th Anniversary, Mr. Eiji Toyoda, honorary chairman of the board, Toyota Motor Corporation, presents Jim Moran with a plaque commemorating 25 years of dedicated partnership.
The Jacksonville Port begins processing Lexus vehicles.
World Omni creates the Southeast Toyota Finance brand to offer better service and personalized support to SET dealers. In our first year of operation, Southeast Toyota Finance leased or financed 50% of all Toyotas retailed in the SET area.
World Omni’s Customer Service Center opens in Earth City, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. Servicing loans and leases for World Omni’s third-party accounts and housing JM&A Group’s Midwest claims processing center for Fidelity Warranty Services, the St. Louis location helps both business units establish a greater national presence.
JM&A Group establishes its Performance Development Center to support dealers’ F&I training needs.
JM Family ranks on FORTUNE magazine’s prestigious 100 Best Companies To Work For® list the first time we applied. We were the only Florida company in the top 50, as well as the leading automotive company on the list. JM Family has been ranked every year since 1999.
CenterOne Financial Services is established to provide third-party servicing of motor vehicle sales finance and lease contracts.
Southeast Transportation Systems is established to transport vehicles from Southeast Toyota’s processing centers in Jacksonville, Florida, and Commerce, Georgia, to dealers throughout the region.
Leading Women in 2000" />
Pat Moran is appointed Chairman of the Board and CEO of JM Family. She is also named on Automotive News’ list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. Pat Moran retired in 2007.
To honor Jim Moran’s lifetime of business achievements and community service, the main thoroughfare at JM Family Enterprises is renamed Jim Moran Boulevard by the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
JM Family opens its onsite childcare facility in Deerfield Beach. Construction began in 2001 on the JM Family Center. Pictured at the ground breaking with future associates are Pat Moran and Gary Thomas, then JM Family Executive Vice President.
JM&A Group celebrates 25 years with a tree dedication ceremony outside the 500 Building on the Deerfield Beach campus. At the time, JM&A had established partnerships with more than 1,600 automotive dealerships nationwide.
Southeast Toyota celebrates the grand opening of its Vehicle Processing Facility in the Westlake area of Jacksonville. The $53 million facility can process more than 150,000 vehicles per year. This is the company's second processing facility in Jacksonville.
Jim Moran names Colin Brown CEO of JM Family, the first non-family member to hold the title of President and CEO. Colin is named Chairman of the Board in 2017.
Southeast Toyota sells its 5-millionth Toyota.
Millionth Toyota Sold" />
World Omni/CenterOne becomes the first automotive servicer to receive a STRONG rating from Standard & Poor’s. This represents the highest ranking possible for a consumer finance, automobile loan and lease servicer
In recognition of his extraordinary impact as an automotive pioneer, Jim Moran receives the highest honor in the international motor vehicle industry with his induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.
JM Family establishes the Associates Helping Associates program to offer financial support to associates during life’s difficult challenges.
Founder Jim Moran passes away on April 24 at the age of 88 in Hillsboro Beach, Florida. In tribute to Jim Moran, JM Family establishes Founder’s Day, an annual companywide celebration on his birthday, August 8. In a message to associates, Colin Brown said, “This historic day gives each of us a special opportunity to take time to remember and honor him and his legacy — a legacy of countless acts of compassion and generosity and of innovation and visionary leadership in the automotive industry that resulted in the founding of an amazing company.”
While JM Family slowly starts to recover from the 2008 economic downturn, there are still many who struggle day after day. The Census Bureau reports that one in seven Americans is going hungry each night. JM Family recognizes this need and responds by creating our first companywide food drive. In just two weeks, associates collect 27,000 pounds of food for 10 partner food banks during the Fall Fill-Up.
