Carmel, March 23, 2006 - J.D. Byrider founder James DeVoe died in a plane crash near Melbourne, Florida Thursday morning. The plane was headed from Jacksonville, Florida to nearby Melbourne when it nose-dived into the ground just short of the airport. The Cessna twin-engine plane immediately burst into flames.
Company spokesman Colburn Aker says Steele Gudal, DeVoe's son-in-law, and the pilot of the plane also died in the crash.
Witnesses said the plane's engines appeared to shut down just before the crash.
Police reports said air traffic controllers radioed the pilot to tell him he was approaching the airport too fast.
Devoe's company has 123 dealerships in 28 states, generating more than a half billion dollars in revenue each year.
DeVoe graduated from Indiana University and worked in auto dealerships since 1961. DeVoe opened a small car dealership in Grant County in 1979. He founded J.D. Byrider ten years later, expanding into other states.
He opened his first dealership in 1979. He founded J.D. Byrider in 1989, and has served as chairman and CEO since then.
J.D. Byrider Press Release:
"Late this morning, the crash of a private plane in Melbourne, Florida, took the life of James F. DeVoe. He was the founder, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board of J.D. Byrider Systems Inc.
"Along with the pilot, also killed in the crash was Steele Gudal, who was Mr. DeVoe's son-in-law, and a Byrider shareholder and successful franchisee.
"With Jim's death, our corporate family has lost a leader, a mentor, and most important-a great friend.
We don't use the word "family" loosely-Jim was fond of referring to us all that way. "It was the hallmark of the way he did business. Whether it was in dealing with customers or fellow employees, his rule was pretty simple:
Treat people with the dignity and respect that you would give a family member. "With an attitude like that, it's not surprising that he fostered initiative and personal growth within the management of his company. He made us all leaders.
As a result, we're confident he always knew that the company was in good hands, and that his legacy of compassionate leadership would be continued. "We are all proud to carry on Jim's work.
The business model that Jim created more than 25 years ago will continue, just the way he would want it. "Our personal loss is compounded because, along with Jim, Steele Gudal will also no longer be at our side.
We valued him as not just as a franchisee and shareholder, but also as a trusted friend and advisor. No less than Jim, he will be missed.
We mourn for his family and that of the pilot, the DeVoe family, and the extended Byrider family."
