Following his parents’ example, Jerry Durant of Weatherford, Texas, purchased a new car dealership and he has spent the last four decades providing hands-on leadership for the Jerry Durant Auto Group. Among its extensive offerings, the group includes a Chevrolet dealership (which will celebrate its 45th anniversary in July 2015), a Cadillac dealership, a Buick GMC dealership, a fleet division, Preowned, Hyundai a collision center and a Toyota dealership in Weatherford, and a Toyota dealership in Granbury.
In 2014, he received nomination for the TIME Dealer of the Year award. The prestigious award, presented in partnership with Ally and the National Automobile Dealers Association, recognizes new car dealers committed to improving their communities.
A Texas native, Mr. Durant earned his bachelor of business administration from the University of North Texas in Denton, where he was a Kappa Alpha Fraternity member. In 2004, he received the university’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He and his wife have provided continuous support for educational opportunities in the local area. Among other contributions, the couple donated land for the state-of-the-art Weatherford High School. Located off Interstate 20 and Bethel Road, the school opened in 2003, and the auditorium was named in Mr. Durant’s honor.