MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Watson, Moffatt, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JIM ESTABROOK, PRESIDENT OF ESTABROOK MOTOR COMPANY IN PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HIS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE AND INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION (NADA).
WHEREAS, Jim Estabrook, President of Estabrook Motor Company, Inc., a Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Nissan dealership in Pascagoula, Mississippi, was honored on February 5, 2011, for his nomination for the 2011 TIME Quality Dealer of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Estabrook was one of a select group of dealers from across the country honored at the 94th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Exposition in San Francisco. The announcement of this year's Dealer of the Year and finalists was made by Kim Kelleher, Publisher of TIME, and Johann Finkelmeier, Vice President and General Manager of Original Equipment N.A. Consumer Tire, and The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, at the formal opening of the convention, which is attended by more than 15,000 individuals involved in the automobile industry; and
WHEREAS, the TIME Dealer of the Year Award is one of the automobile industry's most prestigious and highly coveted awards for new car dealers. Recipients are among the Nation's most successful automobile dealers, but they must also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to effective community service; and
WHEREAS, Estabrook was chosen to represent the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association in the National Competition, one of only 52 automobile dealers, from 17,000 nationwide, nominated for the 42nd Annual Award. The award is sponsored by TIME in association with Goodyear, and in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association. A panel of faculty members from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan selects one finalist from each of the four National Automobile Dealers Association regions and one National Dealer of the Year; and
WHEREAS, "To work as an equal with my father and my sons, and to find, encourage, promote and enjoy the success of many longtime employees are the most rewarding aspects of my career," says Estabrook; and
WHEREAS, Estabrook graduated from Pascagoula High School, in 1962, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, in 1967. But 16 years earlier, Estabrook Motor Company had been founded when Estabrook's father, James B. Estabrook, Sr., purchased the local Ford dealership in Pascagoula from Gene Talbot, on August 17, 1951. Estabrook, Sr., had previously been the Sales Manager for Ford Dealerships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and in Mobile, Alabama, but upon his purchase of Talbot Motor Company, Estabrook, Sr., relocated his family to Pascagoula; and
WHEREAS, Estabrook, Sr., successfully ran Estabrook Motor Company by himself until 1967 when his son joined him in the Pascagoula business. When his father died in 1976, Estabrook purchased the dealership from the estate, taking over sole control of Estabrook Motor Company. Within a few years, Estabrook began acquiring other dealerships. In 1995, Estabrook's oldest son, Reed, returned to Pascagoula and began working at Estabrook Motor Company, rising to Vice President and General Manager in 1998, and serves in that capacity today. In 2006, Jim's youngest son, Drew, joined his father and brother in the Pascagoula operation, and, in 2010, he became the Vice President and General Manager of Estabrook Automotive, the family Toyota Dealership. "We have several multigeneration employees and customers, and have always tried our best for all of them," says Estabrook. "We have always had good relationships with all of the manufacturers we represent,
and have enjoyed our business partnership with Ford, Nissan and Toyota"; and
WHEREAS, in the area of community service, Jim Estabrook has a long and distinguished record. Giving of his time, talents or resources, Estabrook has supported a whole roster of civic and charitable causes, serving as a member of the Pascagoula Rotary Club, Chairman of the Board of Hancock Bank Holding Company, member of the Kiwanis Club, past Vice President, President Elect and President of the Kiwanis Club, member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Jackson County Republican Executive Committee, member of St. John's Episcopal Church, and former cochairman of Pascagoula Municipal Separate School District Capital Improvement Committee. He has also served as past director of Singing River Mental Health Association, the Heart Fund, the Salvation Army, the Boy's Club, the Economic Development Foundation, the Kiwanis Club and the Mid-South Holding Company, among other organizations. Estabrook is also a past Chairman of the Salvation Army Capital Campaign and former cochair of the Committee to Cave the Homeport. "Whenever I saw the need or was asked," says Estabrook, "I have tried to give of time, money and leadership"; and
WHEREAS, nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year Award by Bill Lehman, President of the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association, Jim Estabrook and his wife, Marcy, have two children, Reed and Drew, and two grandchildren. Estabrook also represents Toyota at his other Pascagoula dealership; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge this recognition of a Mississippi business and community leader who has brought honor to his community and his state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Jim Estabrook, President of Estabrook Motor Company in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for his national recognition for community service and industry accomplishments by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and extend our best wishes to Jim and his family on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jim Estabrook, forwarded to the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.