JAMES L. FERMAN JR.

PRESIDENT, FERMAN AUTOMOTIVE, TAMPA

Ferman’s company, one of the largest dealership groups in Florida and the U.S., is also one of the oldest continually operating family dealership groups in the country. The company — founded by Ferman’s grandfather — sells a variety of brands, from Chevrolet to Volvo, at dealerships in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. It employs more than 1,100 people and had revenue of about $918 million in 2018, placing it among the top 100 on Florida Trend’s list of the state’s largest privately owned companies.

In addition to having served as vice chair of the University of Tampa board of trustees, Ferman, a graduate of Emory University, has served as chairman of the Bank of Tampa and a director of TECO Energy. He has also been 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 have supported numerous community groups, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, homeless shelters and Little League baseball teams.