About Us

Jim Herrick
Owner and President
Liberty Auto Group, Inc.

In September of 1980 Jim Herrick purchased Bud Scotten Ford-Mercury in Vermilion. This marked what would be the beginning of a longstanding and mutually prosperous relationship with the city of Vermillion, OH. Seven years later, Herrick moved the dealership to its permanent address at 4215 East Liberty Avenue, Vermilion and added the Lincoln Franchise. With his Ford franchise now under the same new roof as his growing Lincoln-Mercury franchise, the Liberty Auto Group was alive and growing. In just a short time, the dealership went from a small store selling 12-14 cars a year, to a major player in a strong Ford market selling an astounding 2700 cars and trucks a year.


The growth continued in 1996 when Herrick purchased what was to become Liberty Ford in Bedford, and in 1999 when he acquired Southwest Ford in Parma Heights which became Liberty Ford Southwest. Only 1 year later, the progression eastward continued to the city of Solon, where Liberty Ford Solon flourishes today.






In August 1st, 2003, Herrick opened Liberty Ford in Maple Heights. This replaced the Bedford location. Liberty Maple Heights is America’s largest Ford dealership, complete with 53 service bays, full service food and beverage cafe, an Enterprise Rental franchise all within the remarkable 152,000 square foot facility.





In addition to owning the Liberty Auto Group, Herrick also serves as the Chairman of the Board for Lorain National Bank and as President of the Northeast Ohio Ford Dealers Advertising Fund. He has served as Vice Chairman of Ford Motor Company’s National Dealer Council and many local and national dealer advisory boards.





Interests

RACING
• Founded Liberty Racing in 1987
• 1993 ICEMAN racing series points champion
• 1994 ASA (American Speed Association) National Champion
• 1995 Inaugural owner in the NASCAR truck series
• Competed through 1999, won 3 races, 2 poles.
• Won rookie of the year honors with driver Kenny Irwin in 1997.
• Also launched career of driver Kevin Harvick, current Winston Cup star.

JIM'S HOBBIES
• Golf
• Music
• Literature
• Travel