JAMES L. FERMAN JR.

PRESIDENT, FERMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, TAMPA

Ferman Automotive Group, one of the largest dealership groups in Florida and the U.S., celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2020. Founded by Ferman’s grandfather, the company sells a variety of brands, from Chevrolet to Volvo, at dealerships in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. It employs more than 1,300 and has annual sales of $850 million.

Ferman has been involved with the University of Tampa for some 40 years, serving as a member of the board of counselors in the 1960s and on the board of trustees for two dozen years. Ferman and his family are also the lead donors for the new Ferman Center for the Arts at the university.

A graduate of Emory University, Ferman has also served as chairman of the Bank of Tampa, director of TECO Energy, chairman and campaign chairman of the United Way of Hillsborough County and director of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

The firm and its employees support numerous community groups, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, local hospitals, homeless shelters and Little League baseball teams.