Jim is the owner and operator of two dealerships and a Collision Center in Dade City, Florida: Jim Browne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Dade City, Jim Browne Chevrolet Buick GMC of Dade City, and Jim Browne Collision Center of Dade City.
Jim was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and is the second oldest of seven siblings. His parents, Bernice and James Browne, originally from Bayonne, New Jersey, and Queens, New York, moved to Allentown shortly before Jim was born.
They valued hard work, determination, discipline, honesty and education, all traits that Jim and his siblings value to this day.
A graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School then Drexel University in Philadelphia, Jim played college baseball at the highest level. In his final year in college he was the NCAA batting champion. His final year batting average of .528 is among the highest in NCAA history.
In 1997 Jim was inducted into Drexel University’s Hall of Fame. Jim graduated college with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.
After his final year of college eligibility at Drexel, Jim was drafted and signed to play professional baseball by the Texas Rangers. Due to injury, his tenure with the Rangers lasted only two years.
Playing professional baseball was Jim’s dream, and while it only lasted for a short period, it was a dream come true.
Following his professional baseball career, Jim joined Chrysler Corporation where he held various sales, marketing, managerial and executive positions over a period of 20 years. He worked in Philadelphia, New York, Charlotte, Chicago, New Orleans, Orlando and Detroit.
In 1987 Jim married his wife Jill, whom he had met in high school. They have been married for more than 28 years and have three children. Their sons, Jimmy and Joey, graduated from Florida State University. Jimmy, their oldest son is currently pursuing a degree in Law at Cornel University in NY and their daughter, Nicole, is in high school at the Academy of the Holy Name. The Browne family resides in the Tampa area.
The Jim Browne Automotive Group currently employees close to 300 local residents and is one of the top-selling automotive retailers in the country. The group has grown and been successful because Jim never forgot the values his parents taught him: hard work, determination, discipline, honesty and education.
When Jim is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, golf, exercise and a good movie.
Visit any of the Jim Browne dealerships and you’ll most likely run into Jim. He spends time at each dealership every day, leading his management team and visiting with his customers.
