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2017 Thunder Over Evans

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Gerald Jones Presents Thunder Over Evans

Gerald Jones Presents Thunder Over Evans

Preparations for the 2017 Thunder Over Evans are underway. As the Thunder Team is arranging vendors, booking entertainment, and meeting with organizations who share the same enthusiasm for our service men and women, we pause and reflect on how this Armed Forces Day community celebration came to fruition.

Supporting the Armed Forces

Eleven years ago, Andy Jones, Donnie Thompson, and Dale Phelon were having dinner and discussing how the Augusta area needed an event to celebrate Armed Forces Day. From this conversation, Thunder Over Augusta was born. This free admission event brings together the public and military for a celebration and tribute to those who serve. Gerald Jones Auto Group has invested over $750,000 to support the community event for the past 10 years. Wounded Warriors are bused from Fort Gordon to the event for their enjoyment. Veterans and service members are served complimentary meals under the VIP Tent throughout the day.

After out-growing its initial location in downtown Augusta, GA, the event was moved just 10 miles west, to Evans Towne Center Park, and renamed Thunder Over Evans; receiving over 35,000 attendees annually. “It’s about the community, and it’s about thanking the military,” Andy explains. “That’s all it’s about. Donnie and I are huge patriots and this day isn’t about us. We like to thank our sponsors, and they have a few signs out here, but at the end of the day it’s about these men and women in our community. We bring things out for the families – the entire family can come out, bring their dogs, and enjoy a wonderful day. We love our country and that’s what we do.”

Date: Armed Forces Day | May 20th, 2017
Location: Evans Towne Center Park
Admission: Free
Visit www.thunderoverevans.com for more information.

Gerald Jones Presents Thunder Over Evans

Andy Jones: His cars are a vehicle for greater good | Buzz On Biz

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Our very own Andy Jones was named Business Person of the Month by Buzz on Biz. Thanks to the author, Neil Gordon, for an article that shines light on the Jones Family story and the heart Andy has for his community.

At age 12, Andy Jones was destined to serve and plan his life’s work in the car business.

In the 1970s, his father, Gerald Jones, owned a Volkswagen car dealership on Milledgeville Road in south Augusta.

“I’d work there after school, we’d go home for supper and my dad, mom, sister and I would come back and clean the building after dinner,” said Jones.

He learned all aspects of the business from his father and attended the University of Georgia in the early 1980s, with the understanding that he would join the family business.

At age 20, in his junior year, Gerald Jones’ partner left and Andy became a minority shareholder with his dad.

“I wanted to quit school before graduation, but Daddy wouldn’t let me,” said Andy.

Father knows best.

Andy graduated one weekend in Athens in 1985, and the next Monday he learned about his future during a rare staff meeting led by his father.

“He told everyone I was in charge.”

Read the entire article here. Source: Business Person of the Month: His cars are a vehicle for greater good | Buzz On Biz