About Our New & Used Chevy Dealership in Chamblee, GA
Welcome to Jim Ellis Chevrolet: Georgia’s Premier Chevy Dealer
Welcome to Jim Ellis Chevrolet, your automotive home away from home. We’re so glad you’re here, whether you’re shopping for an iconic road warrior like the Camaro to satiate your need for speed or a spacious SUV like the Suburban to accommodate your family. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it when you trust Jim Ellis Chevrolet with all your automotive needs.
But what’s the story behind Georgia’s premier Chevy dealer? What makes Jim Ellis Chevrolet different from other dealerships? Here’s a closer look at the legacy behind Jim Ellis Chevrolet, the same legacy you’ll join when you invest in our award-winning team.
Our Past: The Jim Ellis Legacy
Jim Ellis knew the value of hard work at an early age, growing up on the grounds of the Atlanta Prison Farm, where his grandfather was superintendent and his father was a foreman. Jim spent his childhood working on the farm, but his constant pursuit for more led him to try his hand in other arenas. He added to his already long list of responsibilities by running milk, paper, and laundry routes, enjoying a brief stint in construction, and opening a concessions business at Grant Park. By 18, he enrolled at West Georgia College and later transferred to Georgia State University, paying for college by working as a salesman, prison guard, and foreman. His diligence paid off in 1957 when he graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
After college, Jim spent two years in the United States Army, returning home with even more dedication to finding his place in the world. Fortunately, the search didn’t take long; Jim accepted a position with General Motors in 1960 and never looked back. Over the next decade, he learned the ins and outs of the industry, dreaming of one day opening a dealership with his name on the marquee. By 1971, that dream finally came true when he and his wife, Billie, used everything they had–$35,000 in assets and $165,000 in bank loans–to open Jim Ellis Volkswagen. It was a monumental start to what we know today as the Jim Ellis Automotive Group.
Jim spent the next four decades at the helm, passing the reigns to his son, Jimmy, in 2015. The Jim Ellis Automotive Group grew exponentially but never lost sight of Jim’s original goal–to deliver a new customer experience. That goal is known today as the “Jim Ellis Promise” and is one of the many reasons why our dealership and the others in the Jim Ellis family have earned the prestigious Consumer Choice Award for Business Excellence for 21 consecutive years.
Our Present: The Jim Ellis Promise
After a decade in the automotive industry, Jim Ellis recognized the need for change, for something new. He was determined to deliver when he opened his first dealership in 1971. He immediately built his name around the small-town values of integrity, respect, and accountability that defined his childhood in Atlanta. Those values are the foundation of the “Jim Ellis Promise” and every experience you have with our team.
Your experience with us starts with open arms as we welcome you into our family and commit your name to memory, a sign of respect every customer deserves because we wouldn’t be in business if it weren’t for you. This personable approach sets the stage for a meaningful, lasting relationship as we listen attentively to your needs to deliver a bespoke experience that respects your time. We’re not here to inundate you with high-pressure tactics or upsell a model you don’t want or need; instead, we’re committed to bringing your Chevy dreams to life and exceeding your expectations every step of the way.
Our Future: The Jim Ellis Chevrolet of Tomorrow
Jim Ellis Chevrolet experienced a tragic loss in 2022 with the passing of our founder, Jim, and his son, Jimmy. The unexpected loss of these two incredible leaders has shown us how important family is and the responsibility we have to continue the Jim Ellis legacy. Today, more than ever, we are dedicated to honoring Jim’s early vision and expanding our family circle to generation after generation of customers. We welcome you with open arms.
- Main:(678) 585-2314
- Sales:(678) 585-2314
- Service:(877) 800-7020
- Parts:(678) 268-6478
- Mon - Sat7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- SunClosed
- Mon - Sat7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- SunClosed
- Mon - Sat7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- SunClosed
- Mon - Sat7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- SunClosed
The Ellis Family
Jim Ellis was active in the oversight and management of Jim Ellis Automotive up until 2015 when he stepped back and turned the reigns over to his son, Jimmy. Continuing the legacy of his father and adding in an immense appetite for expansion, Jimmy nearly doubled the size of the company in both dealerships and employees during his seven-year tenure as president and CEO of Jim Ellis Automotive Group. In late 2022, the company lost both their founder and president and CEO with passing of both Jim Ellis and Jimmy Ellis. With the unexpected loss of Jimmy during his time as president and CEO, several third-generation family members that were already active in the automotive group stepped into new or expanded leadership roles within the company.
Founder Jim Ellis' daughters, Karen Ellis Black and Kristi Ellis Cohron, both serve as corporate officers. Third-generation family members in leadership include Wes Ellis (son of Jimmy Ellis), serving as company president and CEO; Stacey Ellis Hodges (daughter of Jimmy Ellis), serving as vice president of group support operations and corporate directors; and Brooke Ellis Gatlin (daughter of Karen Ellis Black), serving as vice president of human resources.
The Ellis family also has a few fourth-generation family members that have also now entered the workforce at Jim Ellis Automotive. Brooke's two children, son Tyler and daughter Ivie both currently hold positions within Jim Ellis Automotive Group. Ivie Ellis Gatlin completed a degree in business management and now works within the Jim Ellis Advertising Agency. Tyler Gatlin completed technician training and works as an automotive technician at Volvo Cars Mall of Georgia. Additional fourth-generation family members are likely to start careers in the organization their grandfather founded upon completing their education.
Beyond direct descendants of Founder Jim Ellis, there are extended family members that can also be found working within the company. Jim Ellis' niece, Mickey Patterson, and her sons Andrew and Chris Roper, also work for the automotive group. The notion of family is engrained in the culture of Jim Ellis Automotive Group.
Close to Home in One Convenient Location
Make the trip from your home in Decatur GA, Norcross GA, Stone Mountain GA, Marietta GA or Lawrenceville GA to our Atlanta dealership and experience our unique brand of customer service for yourself. We're easy to get to, easy to work with, and we want to help you have a car-shopping, buying, and ownership experience unlike any you've ever had elsewhere. We invite you to visit us in person and let us impress you with our wide range of expertise on Chevrolet vehicles, and our top notch standards of customer service. We're happy to answer any questions you have and to help guide you through the entire experience.