For the fourth consecutive year, JM Family

Enterprises (JMFE) has been ranked by a survey in FORTUNE magazine on its annual list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.

"Our new ranking of 20, a significant jump from 51 a year ago, is quite an honor considering the

other companies that join us on this most prestigious and sought-after list," said Gary Thomas, JMFE executive vice president/Human Resources.

This year a total of 279 companies, up from 234 last year, that consider themselves among the best, applied for the coveted spots. Only three

Florida companies made the list.

Thomas credits JM Family's valued associates for this recognition. "More than any other national survey of companies, the FORTUNE100 Best is employee-driven," he said.

Two-thirds of its scoring is based on the answers employees give to survey questions from the Great Place to Work Trust Index, an employee survey that evaluates trust in management, pride in work and the company, and camaraderie. The remainder of the score is based on the evaluation of company responses to the Great Place to Work Institute.

According to FORTUNE, treating employees with respect and dignity are qualities a company must possess to make the list.

When referring to the World Trade Center disaster, the magazine wrote, "the response to the tragedy from the companies on the list was extraordinary." That includes JM Family, which along with other companies vying for a spot on the list, provided supplemental information about its post-Sept. 11 activities, as requested by the magazine.

"I am proud of how our associates at JM Family have shown great strength and resiliency this past year," said JMFE Chairman and CEO Pat Moran. "With the attacks on America, the year 2001 was a year when everyone in our company, and our country rallied together. It was also a year when our priorities became more defined, and when we realized just how powerful teamwork can be."

Remaining on the list for four consecutive years is quite an achivement. Since the list's inception five years ago, JM Family is one of only 28 companies that has been ranked for four or more years.

"This validates our ongoing commitment to providing the best benefits, compensation and family-friendly work practices for all associates to enjoy," Thomas said. "The distinction serves to add credibility to what we

already know -- that JM Family Enterprises is a great place to work."

The complete rankings and accompanying stories appear in the Feb. 4, 2002 issue of FORTUNE, as well as at www.fortune.com/bestcompanies.

About JM Family Enterprises, Inc.

JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (JMFE) (www.jmfamily.com) is a $7.1 billion diversified automotive company headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

JMFE is ranked by Forbes as the 18th largest privately held company in the United States. Its principal businesses focus on vehicle distribution and processing, finance and warranty services, and insurance activities.

Its flagship company, Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, is the nation's largest franchised distributor of Toyota vehicles, according to JMFE.

Other JMFE core companies include World Omni Financial Corp., offering a range of customer-driven automotive financial products and services, and JM&A Group, providing warranty and insurance products and services to automobile dealerships throughout the country.

In addition, JM Lexus is the largest volume retail Lexus dealership in the world, according to JMFE.