May 13, 2003

2003 BESI winner came to aid of stranded family

Mooney Motors 'sets a great example for others,' especially in towns it serves

BY NATHANIEL WEST Staff Writer

EFFINGHAM -In 1974, the parents of an ailing little girl were taking her to a far away hospital for tests when their car broke down. It just so happened there was a nearby Mooney Motors dealership, which lent a car to the family for three days while they completed their trip to the hospital.

Jackie Joines, now a development officer with Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, was that little girl. While introducing the recipient of a Business Ethics and Social Involvement Award Thursday in Effingham, she had the chance to thank Mooney Motors.

And, she said her example was one of thousands of reasons why the "Mooney Men" deserved one of two BESI awards presented during the annual meeting of the East Central Illinois Development Corporation. The prizes, established in 1992 by the EIU Lumpkin College of Business, are given to business leaders who achieve not only success, but do so ethically.

Mooney Motors "sets a great example for others," said Joines.

Founded in 1953 in Chrisman by Norm Mooney, the dealership serves the communities of Chrisman, Charleston, Paris, Tuscola and DeKalb. Mooney's sons, Mike and Tim, along with partners Keith Perry and Joe Hoult, continue to demonstrate why they were nominated to receive the BESI Award, said Joines.

Most of the towns with Mooney Motors outlets are relatively small, and depend on dealerships for much of their economy, through both the employment of their residents and the sales tax generated by the auto sales.

The dealerships also provide cars for driver's education courses and college athletics, and the partners, in addition to their involvement in numerous area development organizations, contribute to charitable causes.

In January 2002, the Chrisman dealership was destroyed by fire. Joines said the Mooney partners decided "immediately" to rebuild in Chrisman, knowing the town's survival depended on them. 

"Certainly the decision to reopen in Chrisman was, about the community ," she said. 

While accepting the award for Mooney Motors, Perry thanked the business', founder, and the customers who have been loyal over the last 50 years. Perry manages the Mooney Motors' dealership in Charleston. 

The other 2003 BESI Award went to Jerry Moon, owner of numerous businesses in Effingham, who is also involved in many civic organizations.

"He's a great candidate for the award for all the reasons the award was established,' said Effingham Mayor Bob Utz , while introducing Moon.

The award winner said his success would not have been possible without the people of Effingham and the surrounding counties.

"These people helped me out so much, and I owe a debt to you I can never repay," said Moon.

Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.

Used with permission from the Mattoon Journal Gazette & the Charleston Times-Courier Newspapers