Angelo Cedeno
John Dale
Nova Southeastern University H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Guenola Nonet
Keep this story going! Share below!
JM Family Enterprises is the parent company for JM Lexus, Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM&A Group, World Omni Financial Corp and JMSC. While much of its business supports the distribution, sale and finance of automobiles, it has established a culture of sustainability and community involvement. It continues to increasingly focus corporate wide efforts toward sustainability. It is also consistently recognized as one of the top employers to work for in national publications.
Philanthropy - In 2014, JM Family associates volunteer 12,682 hours at 214 sponsored events. The company also supported the community through the donation of $23.7 million to non-profit organizations. JM Family community initiatives were focused toward neighborhood projects, the construction of LEED standard homes for Habitat for Humanity, feeding of the needy, cooperative efforts with the United Way, national disaster support and educational efforts. Sustainability - JM Family businesses have sought to minimize the use of energy, raw materials, water and waste in their operations. They have increasingly improved recycling to 63% of its total waste. Technology upgrades have reduced the consumption of paper by 2.7 million pages. Water conservation efforts have yielded an 11% reduction in use. Solar arrays have been installed at several facilities to reduce its use of non-renewable energies. JM Family Enterprises formalizes these efforts through five-year sustainability plans. They have also sought to align themselves with vendors who share the same values toward sustainability. Lastly, JM Family Enterprises has partnered with CR360 to more accurately measure and improve its efforts. This software system will allow it to track sustainability standards using a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. According to Environmental, Health and Safety Director Janet Simoneaux, JM Family Enterprises has migrated from a more one-dimensional view of environmental goals to a broader sustainability plan. She also detailed a process of employee involvement across business silos to enlist the help of associates throughout the organization. And, she further explained that the company holds regular meetings to collaborate and exchange ideas with representatives throughout the JM Family Enterprises entities.
While the current leadership of JM Family Enterprises has done an outstanding job of promoting community and sustainability values throughout the organization, the true inspiration for these goals can be traced back to the company’s founder Jim Moran. In 2000, he founded the Jim Moran Foundation with the mission of supporting innovative community programs. The foundation has since donated more than $65 million to education, elderly care and family support initiatives. While Mr. Moran is no longer with us, his community directed philanthropic efforts continue on through his foundation and company. Mr. Moran’s socially responsible values have been deeply instilled in the fabric of JM Family Enterprises. These same beliefs are fully supported by today’s leadership and those throughout the organization. According to Ms. Simoneaux, these philosophies are now incorporated through values orientated toward people, planet and profits.
Efforts to partner with the community and support local non-profit organizations have made served multiple functions. They have effectively demonstrated JM Family Enterprises desire to give back to the community and fostered a greater sense of civic duty among its associates. This message of social responsibility extends naturally into actions directed toward sustainability. In regards to recycling, JM Family Enterprises has been repeatedly recognized by both County and State entities. Employees have clearly embraced this mission as evidenced through the recycling of 63% of their waste; a number that has continuously increased each year. It is clear that "the company leadership have deeply incorporated community and sustainability values into the JM company culture". They have successfully created an environment where employees openly seek ways to reduce waste, reuse products and alter practices to become greener. According to Ms. Simoneaux: "initial efforts were focused toward simple environmental practices, now the workforce has embraced broader efforts toward sustainability. These same actions have extended beyond the workplace and into community efforts through the construction of LEED certified homes through Habitat for Humanity."
The moral character and transparent nature of founder Jim Moran led to a strong relationship with the leaders of the Toyota Motor Corporation. In 1968 they signed the first agreement for Mr. Moran to distribute Toyotas to all of the Southeastern US. JM Family Enterprises has since grown and flourished. Its business model has expanded into finance and other aspects of the automotive industry. It is consistently ranked as one of the top places to work (Fortune Magazine) and was ranked as the 23rd largest privately owned company by Forbes. These statistics help it attract top talent to its ranks. Its sustainability efforts have also translated into reduced costs. Their reputations toward environmental and social responsibility also make it a desirable business for those who value these principles
The JM Family Enterprises has established itself as a staunch supporter of community initiatives. Its aid to non-profit entities and other community-based initiatives are a model for other companies to follow. These efforts have been replicated through the countless hours of volunteer work completed by JM associates. Through its sustainability efforts, JM Family Enterprises has been able to reduce their impact on the environment. It has been recognized as a leader in recycling, climate change initiatives, process innovations and green practices. Through recycling alone, it is estimate that JM Family Enterprises prevented the release of 7,170 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2013 alone. Its improved billing processes have reduced paper consumption to the equivalent of 2.8 million pages. Water conservation has resulted in an 11% reduction in usage. Its solar arrays generated more than 600,000 kWh in 2014.
Get stories of positive business innovations from around the world delivered right to your inbox.
Janet Simoneaux, Director of Environmental Affairs
