DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. –- JM Family Enterprises Inc. has promoted Ed Sheehy to president of Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC, executive vice president of JM Family and president of JM Lexus.

Southeast Toyota, a subsidiary of JM Family, is the largest independent distributor of Toyotas and Scions, and JM Lexus is the largest volume Lexus dealership.

Sheehy, 47, will be responsible for supervising the overall operations of Southeast Toyota and its divisions, including three vehicle processing facilities, parts supply and distribution, and Southeast Transportation Systems Inc., an auto transport company.

He will also oversee the operation of JM Lexus in Margate, Fla. Sheehy remains a member of JM Family’s executive management team, which oversees the development and implementation of the company's long-range planning and strategies for future growth.

"This promotion is a testament to Ed's valuable contributions to our company and his proven leadership abilities over the past nine years," said Colin Brown, president and CEO of JM Family.

Prior to his promotion and since 1997, Sheehy was senior vice president and assistant general manager of Southeast Toyota. He joined Southeast Toyota in 1999 as vice president of marketing. In 2001, he became vice president of sales and marketing and was promoted to group vice president of sales, marketing and market representation four years later.

Previously, Sheehy served as director of marketing for Nissan Motor Corp. from 1997 to 1999, as well as numerous automotive sales, marketing and operational roles for Nissan from 1984 t0 1997.

Sheehy graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He resides in Delray Beach, Fla. with his wife Sandy and their two children.