Page 38 - On The Move 18-4

same time in his youth, including construction,
concessions, milk and paper routes, plus work on
a farm. By the time he completed college, Mr. Ellis
added more experience to his resume, including
work as a prison guard, as well as doing sales for
IBM. And after serving in the Army for two years,
he eventually landed a job with General Motors in
1960. From there, Mr. Ellis went to work for Chris
Motors Volkswagen in Decatur, having turned down
a move to GM’s headquarters in Detroit. After that, he
and his wife Billie went all-in on establishing the first Jim Ellis
dealership.

For fifty years, that strong work ethic, coupled with a family
culture at Ellis dealerships, are the foundation the business
has been built upon. "Our Jim Ellis team members are the most
valuable part of our company and the reason for our continued
success,” said Mr. Ellis. He continued, “There could not be
By J.W. Southwick, anything more important for our company than to focus on
Editor-in-Chief for On the Move investing in our employee leadership development, employee
training, and ongoing team development to support our
ifty years is a long time. Believe me, I know. I’m turning fifty employees to continue to be the very best."
Fin November. And as someone who grew up around the
car business in Atlanta, it’s fitting that I get to mark fifty years In recent years, Jim and Billie Ellis have stepped back from
in existence along with a dealership group that has certainly daily operations, making way for family members like their son,
made its mark on the automotive scene. Its name is as much Jimmy Ellis, as well as daughters Karen Ellis-Black and Kristi
an Atlanta fixture as is The Varsity, the Fox Theater, and Georgia Ellis-Cohron to assume leadership roles within the organization.
Tech. I’m talking, of course, about the Jim Ellis Automotive They guide the organization’s continued success, following the
Group. recipe that worked so well for Mr. and Mrs. Ellis.

Beginning with Jim Ellis And it’s important to note another aspect of the Jim Ellis
Volkswagen opening its Automotive Group – their commitment to giving back. Through
doors in 1971, the Jim Ellis the Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation, over $50 million has been
Automotive Group has donated to local organizations, including Children’s Healthcare
grown into a dealership of Atlanta, the Empty Stocking Fund, and various other charities
powerhouse, spanning that are important to the many employees of the Jim Ellis team.
multiple brands from
Alfa Romeo to Volvo, All of us here at the Metro
and nearly everything in Atlanta Automobile Dealers
between. With locations Association wish the Jim
all over Metro Atlanta, including McDonough, Chamblee, Ellis Automotive Group a very
Kennesaw, Buford, and more, it’s hard to run into anyone who Happy 50th Anniversary, and
isn’t familiar with the Jim Ellis name. hope that the future continues
to shine bright for all
When you take a look at Jim Ellis’ background, one thing really its employees!
stands out: a strong work ethic. He worked multiple jobs at the

RENDERINGS OF THE NEW JIM ELLIS FACILITY TO BE BUILT
Jim Ellis' 1971
VW Dealership

36 www.maada.com
36 www .maad a. com