Jim Moran Foundation Photo Gallery

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Born into humble beginnings in Chicago, Illinois, on August 8, 1918, Jim Moran often attributed the values instilled by his family as the foundation of his success. “My mother’s rules were simple,” he recalled, “be on time, keep your word, don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you, and if you do something do it right.” Jim is pictured here as a toddler circa 1920, with his parents, Anna and James, and older sister, Genevieve.

Having already developed an entrepreneurial spirit at the age of seven by selling soda pop at local baseball games and washing neighbors’ cars, Jim Moran (pictured below the tuba player in the St. Gertrude Catholic School band during the early 1930s), never stopped working hard. "When your family doesn’t have much, you’re looking for ways to make money to help out. That’s what drove me in my early years," he later recalled. "I can still remember my mother shaking her finger at me and saying with an exasperated smile, ’Oh, you stubborn towhead!’ But, it probably helped to pay the rent."

Because his parents valued the importance of a good education, Jim Moran attended Loyola Academy, a Catholic high school for boys, where he graduated in 1936. To pay for his tuition, Jim cleaned classrooms, swept floors and waited tables in the school cafeteria. After his father unexpectedly passed away in 1932, Jim also worked a second job at a Shell gas station to help his mother make ends meet. "I always wanted to be successful or amount to something," he would later write, "there was a burning desire in me to show others that I could do something, even though I had nothing."

In 1948, Jim Moran opened Courtesy Motors with the business philosophy: "We practice what we preach. When you came to our place you were treated with the utmost of courtesy. You got the best price at a good deal." Within a year, his dealership was the largest-selling Hudson retailer in the world.

Jim Moran, at his Courtesy Motors dealership, was the first to offer a 100% unconditional guarantee to customers who purchased used cars, with no charge for parts or labor for 30 days or 4,000 miles, whichever came first. Jim believed, "In my business, people can go anywhere to buy a car. I have to give them something better — a better product, a better deal, and that’s not just the price. It’s better financing, better consideration, and better service if they do have a problem."

Jim Moran’s innovative spirit led him to become one of the first car dealers to market new and used vehicles on television in 1948. "One day I went by a hardware store and saw a little box and there was a picture on it. And this picture was coming out of the air," Jim said, recalling the first time he saw a television set. "I looked at it and I thought ‘Man, I can take a car, I can take my dealership right into your home, or your place of business and show you what I’m selling? This is the greatest thing in the world!’ We were the first ones that I know of to put a new car or a used car or to advertise on television in the United States."

As a new way to promote his dealership, Jim Moran sponsored and hosted two live television shows, The Barn Dance and The Courtesy Hour, both of which featured vaudeville-style entertainment. In addition to his live shows, Jim, pictured in his Barn Dance costume during the 1950s, also sponsored full-length movies on Courtesy Theatre, bringing such blockbuster films as The African Queen to the small screen for the first time. Jim’s knack for showmanship made him a celebrity throughout the Chicago area, where he was recognized as TV’s “Jim Moran, The Courtesy Man.”

Jim Moran’s Courtesy Motors dealership sponsored three weekly television shows in Chicago during the 1950s. "Jim Moran, The Courtesy Man," was the master of ceremonies and did all the live commercials himself. He became one of Chicago’s most beloved TV personalities and due to his popularity, was featured on the cover of TV Times magazine.

In 1956, Jim launched Courtesy Ford, and within 30 days it became the brand’s highest-volume dealership in the world. This success was due, in part, to offering customers such innovations as "on the spot" new car delivery and short-term lease programs. "[At Courtesy] business was beyond my greatest expectations and the reason was television, but we also followed through on what we promised," Jim said. "The guarantees, the condition of the cars, the exchange privileges, we did what we said we’d do, and that’s an important thing in any business. Do what you say you’ll do, follow through on your customers, and give them their value for the dollar."

“Special events that would create excitement were always on our minds — especially ones that would please children,” said Jim about Courtesy Motors’ promotions, which included races for kids in the dealership’s service center in 1958 using miniature race cars that were also presented as promotional gifts to customers.

The Courtesy Conditioning Assembly Line at Jim Moran’s Courtesy Motors dealership was the only one of its kind when it opened in 1959, and could recondition as many as 800 cars a month. A forerunner of today’s certified pre-owned vehicle programs, used cars were disassembled and reconditioned using new parts and upholstery. All work was guaranteed with an unconditional warranty, giving customers an affordable alternative to a new car.

For his 1960 article “I Found New Life For My Old Car,” Chicago Tribune reporter Frank Hughes had his vehicle reconditioned at Courtesy Motors. "When Jim Moran personally delivered my ‘new’ 1955 Mercury to me, it was a thing of sparkling beauty," he wrote. "The motor ticked with the precision and quietness of a watch."

The only car dealer ever to appear on the cover of TIME magazine, Jim Moran was recognized in a March 24, 1961, article for his contributions to the automotive industry and his community. Jim often said things were never quite the same after the TIME cover issue was published, but for him, he just wanted to continue doing what he loved most — selling cars and helping people.

TIME and the RED BORDER design are registered trademarks of Time Inc. Used with permission.

A swimming enthusiast, Jim Moran began sponsoring the annual "Jim Moran Lake Michigan Swim Challenge" in 1957. Recognized as one of the top eleven international open-water swim competitions, the event challenged participants to brave the cold, rough waters of the lake over race routes between 36 and 60 miles. Standing on the seawall just above his name, Jim fired the starting pistol to begin the 1961 qualifying swim.

Jim Moran proudly displayed the winner’s trophy for the 6th Annual Jim Moran Lake Michigan Swim Challenge held in 1962. Olympic gold medalist Greta Anderson won the $10,000 prize by finishing the 50-mile swim to Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 31 hours, setting a world record in open-water swimming. Chicago lifeguard Dennis Matuch claimed the $4,000 prize by completing the 36¾-mile race to Waukegan, Wisconsin, in 21 hours.

After moving to South Florida and beating a difficult battle with cancer, Jim Moran returned to his lifelong passion of selling cars, opening Jim Moran’s Pontiac City in Homestead, Florida, in 1968. “Once I was in business again,” he said, “I quickly had volume and expansion on my mind. We had been operating Homestead for about six months and had increased Pontiac sales about 300 percent.”

In 1970, Jim was awarded the franchise for a Pontiac dealership in Hollywood, Florida, which became JM Pontiac. “This was the first time that I truly had the chance to build a dealership from the ground up, and I spared no pains to do it right,” Jim later recalled. Within six months of its opening, and for the next 20 years, JM Pontiac was the largest retailer of Pontiac vehicles in the world.

Jim Moran signed Southeast Toyota Distributors’ first Distributor Agreement with Toyota Motor Sales on October 26, 1968, to distribute Toyota vehicles in five southern states — Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. Seated next to Jim at the signing ceremony in Japan was Mr. Shotaro Kamiya, president, Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (TMS) and president, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS U.S.A.); standing (from left) Mr. Takeo Kondo, deputy general manager, Europe-America department, TMS; Mr. Seisi Kato, executive vice president, TMS; Mr. Mitsuo Yamada, manager, North America section, Europe-America department, TMS; Mr. Tatsuro Toyoda, assistant vice president, TMS U.S.A.; Mr. Shoji Hattori, executive vice president, TMS U.S.A.; Mr. Paul Smith, vice president of sales, Southeast Toyota Distributors; and Mr. Keisuke Ohno, senior vice president, TMS U.S.A.

The first Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) offices were located in Pompano Beach, Florida, in the Atlantic Federal Savings building, pictured here in 1969. As the company expanded and outgrew this location, SET constructed its first headquarters building in Deerfield Beach in 1981.

Southeast Toyota Distributors was one of the first automotive distributors to computerize the management of its parts and accessories inventory. First implemented in 1969, SET’s direct data line allowed dealers to efficiently process service department orders, providing same day or next day delivery. To further improve operations, Jim Moran built a new, larger parts facility in Jacksonville, Florida, and is pictured with Max Jamiesson, divisional manager – south for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., at the 1979 grand opening of SET’s Parts Distribution Center.

Southeast Toyota Distributors celebrated the grand opening of its headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on October 13, 1981, with Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, president, Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (TMS), and Mr. Seisi Kato, chairman, TMS. “Most of all,” Jim said in his dedication message, “none of us should forget what made this all possible — the quality of the Toyota motor car. My sincere thanks to all the people I work with, to Toyota Motor Sales and to Toyota Motor Company, for they are the foundation this building was built upon.”

In 1978, Jim Moran established Tender Loving Care Corporation (TLC) to offer extended service contracts to customers of Southeast Toyota Distributors’ dealers. TLC associates are pictured celebrating a milestone of 500,000 warranty contracts written in 1984. TLC evolved into JM&A Group (Jim Moran and Associates), now one of the largest independent providers of automotive finance and insurance products.

In 1993, Mr. Eiji Toyoda, honorary chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), presented Jim Moran with a plaque commemorating 25 years of dedicated partnership between TMC and Southeast Toyota Distributors. “There is no question that the best thing that ever happened in my life was meeting the Toyoda family and becoming their franchise distributor in the United States,” Jim said at the SET 25th Anniversary Celebration. “The friendship I have developed over the years, and the things they have done for me over the years, and the confidence they have had in me over the years is something that I can never truly repay.”

Jim Moran celebrated Southeast Toyota Distributors’ 25th Anniversary in 1993 with longtime friend Mr. Yuki Togo, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc. In his book Sell Like Hell!!, Mr. Togo wrote of Jim, “He has been a magnificent partner and a strong influence for Toyota and has become an indispensable advisor to us in North America…Jim Moran is a legend, and a great symbol of success in America’s automobile industry. To me, most importantly, he is my ‘big brother.’”

In 1998, J. David Power presented Jim Moran and JM Lexus with the first J.D. Power and Associates Certified Retailer Award, which recognized automotive retailers who have attained the highest industry levels of customer sales satisfaction. JM Lexus was the first dealership to receive the award for 10 consecutive years.

Jim Moran, joined by his wife, Jan, and Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, honorary chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, gave a “thumbs-up” to the cheering crowd of Southeast Toyota Distributors’ (SET) associates and distinguished guests during the grand opening celebration of SET’s Westlake Vehicle Processing Facility in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2003. The $53 million facility can process more than 150,000 cars per year.

Fred Anderson, a representative of the Southeast Toyota Distributors Dealer Council, presented Jim Moran with a plaque during SET’s 35th Anniversary Celebration commemorating five million vehicles sold within the five-state region.

At Southeast Toyota Distributors’ Anniversary Celebration in 2003, Mr. Yuki Funo, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., presented Jim Moran with a Hoya Crystal Samurai Bowl to commemorate 35 years of partnership with SET.

Jim Moran commemorated JM&A Group’s 25th Anniversary in 2003 at their company headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida. JM&A provides finance and insurance services to automotive dealerships and retail automotive outlets, representing virtually all manufacturer makes and models.

Jim Moran received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Northwood University in 1987. An early contributor to the University, he established the Jim Moran Scholarship Fund in 1981 for children of Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) associates and SET dealers who were interested in automotive studies. To help even more students achieve their educational goals, the scholarship fund was expanded in 1996 to offer assistance to any student majoring in automotive marketing at Northwood University, who also demonstrated financial need.

Exemplifying the spirit and ideals of entrepreneurism, Jim Moran, pictured with fellow honorees Jack Smith (left) and Armando Codina (right), was inducted into Nova Southeastern University’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 1995 for his contributions to the South Florida community and his efforts to support up-and-coming entrepreneurs seeking to establish new businesses.

For his contributions in promoting competitive swimming in Chicago through his annual Lake Michigan Swim Challenge and for being an inspiration to young people in both sports and business, Jim Moran received the Gold Medallion Award in 1995 from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Jim Moran was presented with The American Jewish Committee Institute of Human Relations Corporate Leadership Award in 1995 for his outstanding professional accomplishments and distinguished record of community service and charitable giving in South Florida.

In recognition of their lifelong legacy of giving back to the community, Jim and Jan Moran were honored as Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward Chapter in 1996.

In 1996, Jim Moran received the prestigious Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Award, an honor given to those who have risen from humble beginnings, overcome incredible obstacles, achieved success through hard work and determination, and are strongly committed to community service and education.

Jim and Jan Moran were presented with the United Way of Broward County Tocqueville Society Award in 1996, by 1995 honoree Ed Ansin, for their long-standing commitment to the community. The award also recognized Jim and Jan’s $500,000 Challenge donation, which established the first endowment fund for the United Way at the Community Foundation of Broward.

Jim Moran was honored with the Sun Sentinel Excalibur Award in 1996 for his lifetime of achievements, business innovations and charitable contributions in South Florida.

In recognition of Jim Moran’s professional leadership and support of education, Florida State University conferred an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree upon him in 1997. The degree was the 93rd awarded in the University’s 146-year history, and the first originating from the College of Business. Jim was congratulated at the ceremony by (from left) President Sandy D’Alemberte, College of Business Dean Melvin Stith and Provost Larry Abele.

In 1997, Jim Moran received the Outstanding Business Leader Award from Northwood University in recognition of his exemplary leadership and inspiration in business and philanthropy.

In 1998, the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) presented its Silver Medallion Brotherhood Award to Jim and Jan Moran for their leadership and commitment to social justice and the improvement of relationships among diverse groups in the community.

In 1999, Jim Moran was honored with the Urban League of Broward County’s highest accolade for a business leader — the Diversity Champion Award — recognizing his dedication to ensuring diversity and equality within his business and the community. Seated with Jim during the presentation were (from left) Cato Roach, husband of Margaret Roach who was the principal founder of the Urban League of Broward County, and Dennis Smith, president of Tripp Scott, sponsor of the award.

Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises have been longtime supporters of the Florida Youth Orchestra (FYO), which provides world-class musical instruction to children and young adults in South Florida. In recognition of their outstanding commitment to the arts, the Morans received the organization’s most prestigious honor — the Joseph Leavitt Award — from one of FYO’s founders, Bob Weaver, in 2000.

Jim and Jan Moran were presented with the first Spirit of Mercy Award in 2000 by the Sisters of Mercy at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The award, sculpted in the likeness of Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley, honors recipients who demonstrate her compassionate qualities of caring and selflessness and devote themselves to charitable activities to enhance the lives of others.

To honor Jim Moran’s lifetime of business achievements and community service, the main thoroughfare at JM Family Enterprises was renamed Jim Moran Boulevard by the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida, in 2002. “As a kid who grew up playing ball on the streets of Chicago, I never dreamed I’d have one named for me — this really means a lot,” Jim said at the dedication ceremony he attended with his wife, Jan.

In 2003, Nova Southeastern University President Ray Ferrero Jr. presented Jim and Jan Moran with the University’s highest honor — the President’s Community Award — in recognition of their contributions to their profession, the community and the University.

In recognition of his extraordinary impact as an automotive pioneer, Jim Moran received the highest honor in the international motor vehicle industry with his induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame on October 11, 2005. “I’m most proud of one thing,” he said at the ceremony, “the people I work with. I tried to energize them and make it better for them and their families. I share this recognition with all the people I work with and those who over the course of 66 years helped me achieve such success.”

Pro Football Hall of Famer and longtime friend Dan Marino introduced Jim Moran at the 2005 Automotive Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Dearborn, Michigan. “The number one reason why Mr. Moran deserves this award and being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame is because he is a ‘hall of fame’ person,” Dan said at the ceremony. “Jim Moran cares about people, he cares about family, he cares about kids.”

Jim Moran's success in marketing cars on TV as “Jim Moran, The Courtesy Man” also gave him an opportunity to fundraise for numerous charities and causes. “Unintentionally, because of the novelty of television at the time, I was also becoming an entertainment personality as much as an advertising spokesperson,” he said. Jim is pictured with entertainer Bob Hope during a 1953 telethon in Chicago for United Cerebral Palsy.

United Cerebral Palsy Telethon, 1953
Photograph by Mickey Pallas

Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona
© 1995 The University of Arizona Foundation

In the early 1950s, Jim Moran organized benefit television shows to raise money for local and national charities. He is pictured at the American Cancer Society Telethon with popular stars the Cisco Kid and Pancho. “We would donate our own TV time,” he said. “A lot of money was raised for worthy causes through this use of television, and it’s one part of television that I miss even to this day.”

Jim Moran (center) was joined by celebrity entertainers (second from left) Vivian Vance, Jack Carson and Eartha Kitt to raise funds for the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1953. The campaign, chaired by Jim, successfully raised enough money to build a new wing for the treatment of leukemia patients.

City of Hope Telethon, 1953
Photograph by Mickey Pallas

Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona
© 1995 The University of Arizona Foundation

While Jim Moran preferred to remain anonymous during his early years of giving in South Florida, one of his first public charitable gifts was a $1 million donation to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, following his life-saving open heart surgery. Jim and his wife, Jan, presented the donation to Dr. Chalit Cheanvechai, M.D., and Sister Mercy McGrady in 1988.

In 1994, Jim Moran presented Jan Crocker, executive director of Broward Community Foundation (now known as Community Foundation of Broward), with $150,000 to establish the Jim Moran Children’s Fund. Today, the fund continues to award grants to programs in Broward County, Florida, which motivate at-risk youth to succeed in their scholastic and vocational endeavors.

The 52-ft. tall Great Gravity Clock, located in the Grand Atrium at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Fort Lauderdale, was made possible through the generosity of Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises. The continuous-motion, gravity-driven exhibit is the largest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida. Pictured with the Morans at the 1994 dedication of the clock are Kim Cavendish, president and CEO of MODS, and Terry Stiles, Board of Trustees, MODS.

In 1995, Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. (WID), an agency committed to stopping domestic violence and providing safe shelter for families, dedicated its new headquarters, The Jim and Jan Moran Family Center, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The new facility was made possible through Jan and Jim’s $600,000 lead gift to WID’s Capital Campaign.

In recognition of a $2 million gift from Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the 3,000-seat main auditorium at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts was dedicated as the Jim and Jan Moran Theater in 1995. Jacksonville Mayor Ed Austin celebrated the groundbreaking of the new performing arts center with Jim and Jan Moran.

To inspire and assist small business leaders, entrepreneurs and students achieve their dreams of entrepreneurial success, Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises established The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship with an initial donation of $1 million in 1995. Located at the Florida State University College of Business in Tallahassee, Florida, The Jim Moran Institute offers a wide range of free services and resources to help entrepreneurs succeed. The Morans are pictured with Dr. Melvin Stith, dean of the College of Business.

With a $1 million gift in 1995, Jim and Jan Moran joined Paul Newman as Founding Board Members of Camp Boggy Creek, a year-round camp in Eustis, Florida, that creates fun, memorable and medically safe camping experiences for children with serious illnesses.

Jim Moran visited with children at the Rising Stars Summer Theater Library Camp, a free six-week program presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Broward County Library with funding from Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises.

“The Boys & Girls Clubs have proven to be ‘The Positive Place For Kids’ and positively the place for those of us who want to make a difference in the lives of these children,” said Jim Moran. Jim and Jan Moran, pictured with club members, chaired one of the most successful capital campaigns in the history of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Jim & Jan Moran Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Deerfield Beach, Florida, was dedicated in 1999 after the successful completion of the capital campaign.

Children from Something Special Childcare Center joined Jim and Jan Moran when they announced their $6 million Moran Challenge gift to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2000. One of the largest single gifts the hospital has ever received from a living donor, their donation helped establish the Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Center, a facility dedicated to being the preeminent provider of education, prevention, early detection and treatment of cardiac and vascular diseases.

Established in 1992 by Jim Moran, the African-American Achievers Awards honors adult community leaders in South Florida. The program also recognizes student role models as Youth Achievers, who each receive a needs-based, four-year scholarship to Florida State University (FSU) from The Jim Moran Foundation, with funding provided through The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at FSU. Pictured at the 2002 event with Jim and Jan Moran are Drs. Patricia and Melvin Stith and past Youth Achievers.

Founded by Jim Moran in 1984, the Youth Automotive Training Center educates at-risk youth in basic automotive repair, academic remediation, job readiness, and life management skills to prepare them for brighter futures. “Kids need a second chance to get in the car tracks and get headed in a real positive direction,” Jim said. “To do that, they need the skills to get a job and have some hope and pride for tomorrow.”

Jim and Jan Moran (center) celebrated the groundbreaking of The Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library with distinguished guests (from left) Samuel F. Morrison, retired director, Broward County Libraries; Walter Hunter, president, Collier City Neighborhood Council; Dorothy Klein, executive director, Broward Public Library Foundation; and Janet Hansen, coordinator for learning services, Broward County Libraries. Jim and Jan spearheaded the renovation and expansion of the library, which was completed in 2003.

Dr. Wendy Masi (left) of the Mailman Segal Institute and Ray Ferrero Jr., president of Nova Southeastern University (NSU), presented Jan Moran with a commemorative replica of the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center Village in 2003. The Morans and JM Family Enterprises initiated a $6 million challenge to NSU in 2001, which helped expand the University’s innovative early childhood education outreach programs and created an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Broward.

To honor individuals who selflessly give back to their community through devoted service and personal commitment, Jim and Jan Moran established The Jim Moran Foundation Award in 2003. The annual award provides honorees with an unrestricted grant to the charity of their choice as well as a bronze sculpture created by South Florida artist George Gadson. Jim and Jan Moran presented the inaugural award to Fran Payne, executive director of Jack & Jill Children’s Center, in recognition of her lifetime of community service and dedication to children and families.

Jan and Jim Moran participated in a butterfly release during the 2004 dedication of the new Jim & Jan Moran / JM Family Enterprises Crisis Treatment Center at Kids In Distress (KID), an agency dedicated to preventing child abuse, preserving families and treating children who have been abused or neglected. The butterflies symbolized the positive transformation children experience while in the care of KID.

Jim Moran visited with Yosel Lopez and Shenique Gilbert, who both received a Jim Moran Horatio Alger Scholarship through the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Established by Jim and Jan Moran, the scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving high school senior on a needs basis. Knowing personally the determination it takes to overcome adversity, Jim always kept his door open to visiting scholars, encouraging them to work hard, treat everyone with respect, and stay focused on their dreams.

John Johnson, Holy Cross Health Ministries’ president and CEO, joined Jan Moran in May 2006, to announce the Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises $26 Million Moran Challenge to assist Holy Cross Hospital in the development of the Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Research Institute.

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