Meet Chad Tullis: New owner of Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Meet Chad Tullis: New owner of Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Photo/Kyla Hurt

 

”It’s not my thing to talk about myself,” said Chad Tullis. In all honesty, he’d prefer to talk about cars. But in becoming the new owner of Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, he has to step into the limelight a bit more.

It sounds like a big change for a dealership to get a new owner, but for Tullis and his team this summer, things have gone super smoothly.

Around July 1, Chad Tullis transitioned from being the general manager to the owner of the car dealership that’s “just down the road from higher prices,” as their website says, or more concretely, the dealership located on 1600 West Morton Avenue.

A veteran of his trade, Tullis has years of experience in car sales from working for Gary Jarvis since 1994, and having been the general manager of the dealership for the past 11 years – some facts that definitely account for the smooth transition that has occurred.

Tullis shares, “With any change, there are usually some new ideas that the new owner has.” But for now, he states that there will be “nothing immediate as far as changes – mostly all the former employees have stayed on.” Having been involved in the hiring process for many of those employees, he knows the team well and feels that they have a “have a very good group” currently running the dealership.

Looking ahead, Tullis did say that, “Our plans are to grow, add some more employees over time.” Other possible changes would include some technology upgrades and branching out to use some technological tools that the previous owner did not leverage too much.

But looking back over the transition earlier this summer, Tullis says, “Day-to-day operations are much the same. A few more people come to me for answers. Really, nothing has really changed. I’m still very much involved in working deals and making decisions for the service department.”

Tullis also shared, “Probably the biggest change I’d like to see is that we get a little more involved in the community than previously – involved with the chamber. I would probably be spearheading that, maybe be a little more involved in supporting area schools and sports teams.”

In summary, Tullis says, “Hopefully, everything that we do will be positive and help us to grow, and benefit the community.”

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About the author

Kyla Hurt is a capable boondoggler trained in the arts; she’s also an accomplished event coordinator with experience from museum fundraising to art festivals. She enjoys puppies, sunshine, and good radishes – and wit. Wit is good, too.

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2 comments

  1. Vergina Thompson

    Mr Tullis my name is Vergina Thompson and I would know if you are the owner of the dealership on Commonwealth Ave? I’m having a problem and I call and was talking to one of the managers and we was not agreeing on subject of the Perma plate warranty and I ask him is name and he told he was ending the call and I was still talking and he hung the phone up in my face. I ask for the owner name and was told it as Tommie. I also talked to another manager was told to talk to the finance manager, I am upset that a grow man and a manager would do such a thing.
    If you aren’t the owner could you please tell me his name so I can talk to him .

    Thank you Vergina Thompson

  2. Allen Register

    I would also like to talk to Mr.Tullis about an issue with my Jeep Compass I purchased last Aug. On Christmas Eve I was sitting at a red light and my car shut off and would not start back up. After several tries to release the emergency brake I was able to get it out of the road.. Went to Westside CJDR and they told me it would be 2 months before they could get it in the shop. So I called Davis CJDR in Yullee Fl and they were able to get me in .I was told to try and replace aux battery first . I bought a new battery at Westside CJDR and It didn’t work. SO I had it towed to Davis CJDR. After they diagnosed the Compass they told me that I modified the 150 amp fuse with a jumper when I changed the main battery which was dated June of 2021.which was before I bought the vehicle. I was told it needed a new battery and a starter relay harness and it would not be covered under warranty. The estimate was over 500. So I back to the dealership I bought the car from and Ricky Pitts told me that Westside CJDR would have it towed and have the car fixed. Once they diagnosed the problem they said it was only the 150 amp fuse. They set me up with a rental and apologized to me for having to get a rental for the previous week. I was so impressed and expressed my satisfaction with many people. Three months later the same fuse blew again. Went back and after talking to several associates the HR associate told me they fixed it in December and I would have to pay to have it towed,the diagnostic fee,parts and labor . The problem was never fixed because it is doing the same thing. I have to leave my car running due to the fact that it might not start back up without changing out a 6 dollar fuse. I have requested to talk to the General manager about this issue and was not able to or even get a name,phone number or email. I have an Aug 3 appointment for another diagnostic at my cost. This was a Pre owned certified vehicle that also has a tie strap holding the radiator cover on. 😳

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