The Park Circle Motor Company
Encyclopedia
The Park Circle Motor Company was the preeminent car dealership of the Baltimore
area from its inception in 1921 until 1998 when the last of the dealerships were sold and it became a family office. Its roots can be traced to A.M. Legum, who founded the company before the idea of personal automobile ownership had entered the public consciousness. The company survived and prospered through the challenging economic times of the 20s, 30s and 40s.
, Wharton Business School with a B.S. degree in Economics, Jeff joined the family business. In 1967, at the age of 25, he became the youngest Chevrolet Dealer in the Country. In 1977 Park Circle purchased Charlie Irish Chevrolet on Eastern Avenue in the Eastpoint area of Baltimore and closed their original location. The dealership was named Legum Chevrolet; Jeff was CEO, he acquired Nissan franchise in 1982, first Chevrolet Nissan dual dealership in the metropolitan area and third largest Chevrolet Dealer in U.S. He sold the dealership in 1989. In 1973 purchased Westminster Chevrolet Cadillac in Westminster, Maryland. It became the largest volume Cadillac dealer in the Baltimore area. Dealership sold in 1997. Jeff owns and is CEO of The Park Circle Company, DBA Park Circle Investments, a private investment company with interests in corporations with a Baltimore history, i.e., Legg Mason
Inc., Adams Express, Stanley Black & Decker
, McCormick & Company
, T. Rowe Price
, PNC Financial, and The Travelers Companies (formerly USF&G).
and Johns Hopkins University
, Endowed The Jeffrey and Harriet Legum Professorship in Acute Neurological Medicine, Endowed The John W. Griffin, MD Professorship in Neurology; Kennedy Krieger; American Cancer Society; Baltimore Museum of Art, Contributor, The Lucas Collection, 2000, Sponsored Andy Warhol Exhibit "Warhol The Last Decade", 2010–11, Endowed the 100th anniversary advertising and public relations campaign; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; The Park School; University of Pennsylvania; House of Ruth; Baltimore Hebrew Congregation; Associated Jewish Charities.
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
area from its inception in 1921 until 1998 when the last of the dealerships were sold and it became a family office. Its roots can be traced to A.M. Legum, who founded the company before the idea of personal automobile ownership had entered the public consciousness. The company survived and prospered through the challenging economic times of the 20s, 30s and 40s.
Timeline
- 1921 A. M. Legum founded The Park Circle Motor Company
- 1923 Park Circle relocates to Carlin's ParkCarlin's ParkCarlin's Park is a park in Baltimore, MD that no long exists. It was founded in 1918 by John J. Carlin. The park was noted among members of the outdoor amusement industry for the development of profitable winter operation and activities...
, largest automobile establishment in Baltimore City - 1933 Leslie Legum joins Park Circle Motor Company
- 1934 Park Circle salesman delivers more ChevroletChevroletChevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
cars than any individual salesman in the United States - 1939 Park Circle became the second largest Chevrolet dealership in the country after being a member of the “Chevrolet Big 10”, for eleven years. Continued in that position until 1957.
- 1939 Park Circle Motor Company established Routan Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile
- 1952 Purchased Truck Rental Company of Baltimore
- 1952 Rosemary Clooney appeared for the introduction of the new car line.
- 1952 Park Circle Fire
- 1954 Routan Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile changed name to Westminster Motors.
- 1959 Leslie Legum, president of Park Circle Motor Company, chosen by General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
Corporation to serve on a board representing the nation’s metropolitan area to study automotive market and general economic conditions - 1962 Sold its wholly owned subsidiary Truck Rental Company of Baltimore to Avis Rent a Car SystemAvis Rent A Car SystemAvis Rent a Car System, LLC is a car rental company headquartered in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey, United States. Avis, Budget Rent a Car and Budget Truck Rental are all units of Avis Budget Group....
of Boston and later, Garden City, NY in return for cash and 10% interest in Avis. This cash and stock became the basis for Park Circle’s original stock portfolio - 1963 Jeffrey Legum, 3rd generation, began full time employment after graduating from Wharton School of the University of PennsylvaniaWharton School of the University of PennsylvaniaThe Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wharton was the world’s first collegiate business school and the first business school in the United States...
with a B.S. in Economics - 1967 Legum became executive vice president; the youngest Chevrolet dealer in the country at age 25.
- 1966 Legum began managing the stock portfolio. By 1989 the stock portfolio was much larger than the dealership interests.
- 1968 Leslie Legum leaves Park Circle Motor Company to become Managing General Partner of Parkway Industrial Center, Hanover, Maryland.
- 1971 Park Circle Motor Company Celebrates 50 years selling Chevrolets
- 1973 Jeffrey Legum purchased Westminster Chevrolet CadillacCadillacCadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
, Westminster, MD. It became the largest volume Cadillac dealer in the Baltimore area. - 1977 Closed the original Park Circle Motor Company location on Reisterstown Road
- 1977 Purchased Charlie Irish Chevrolet on Eastern Avenue in Baltimore, named it Legum Chevrolet
- 1979 Jeff Legum Success Factors
- 1981 Legum lent Cadillacs for the Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
Inaugural Parade in Washington - 1982 Acquired the Nissan franchise; first dual Chevrolet/Nissan dealership in a metropolitan area and 3rd largest Chevrolet dealership in the US.
- 1983 Second largest Dealer TV advertising
- 1984 Jeffrey Legum was one of four US Nissan Dealers chosen to meet with and advise the Chairman, President and Board of Directors of Nissan. The meeting was held at their Tokyo headquarters. Jeffrey and the other dealers were entertained by Nissan for 10 days in Japan and visited several Nissan factories. Coincidentally, Baltimore Orioles visited Japan at the same time and stayed at the same hotel as Jeffrey.
- 1985 Economic Effects on Retail
- 1985 Tardiness by the IRS in Releasing Tax Refund Checks Impact on March Retail Sales
- 1986 Automotive NewsAutomotive NewsAutomotive News is a weekly newspaper written for 65,000 automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. It is based in Detroit and owned by Crain Communications Inc. The brand has a team of more than 50 editors and reporters worldwide.- History :...
ranking of “Sales Giants” Legum Chevrolet Nissan placed third largest in the country. - 1989 Sold Legum Chevrolet/Nissan dealership
- 1989 Moved business office to 1829 Reisterstown Road; located on the same road, 6 miles northwest of the original dealership
- 1991 Jeffrey Legum, chief executive officer, Park Circle Motor Company and Westminster Motor Co. outlines his business success principles
- 1995 Leslie Legum, chairman of the board of the Park Circle Motor Company, developer and philanthropist, died
- 1997 sold Westminster Motors, Chevrolet, OldsmobileOldsmobileOldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
, Cadillac ending the Legum’s 76 years as automobile dealers.
- 1997 Jeffrey Legum owns and is CEO of The Park Circle Motor Company, DBA Park Circle Investments, a private investment company.
- 2011 Park Circle Company, DBA Park Circle Investments celebrates its 90th anniversary, continuing to grow its investment portfolio.
- 2011 Park Circle Company, DBA Park Circle Investments maintains the Legum Family office at 1829 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, Maryland.
Jeffrey A. Legum
In 1963, after graduating from The University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, Wharton Business School with a B.S. degree in Economics, Jeff joined the family business. In 1967, at the age of 25, he became the youngest Chevrolet Dealer in the Country. In 1977 Park Circle purchased Charlie Irish Chevrolet on Eastern Avenue in the Eastpoint area of Baltimore and closed their original location. The dealership was named Legum Chevrolet; Jeff was CEO, he acquired Nissan franchise in 1982, first Chevrolet Nissan dual dealership in the metropolitan area and third largest Chevrolet Dealer in U.S. He sold the dealership in 1989. In 1973 purchased Westminster Chevrolet Cadillac in Westminster, Maryland. It became the largest volume Cadillac dealer in the Baltimore area. Dealership sold in 1997. Jeff owns and is CEO of The Park Circle Company, DBA Park Circle Investments, a private investment company with interests in corporations with a Baltimore history, i.e., Legg Mason
Legg Mason
Legg Mason, Inc. is an American-based global investment management firm with a focus on asset management. The company’s business is divided in two divisions: Americas and International...
Inc., Adams Express, Stanley Black & Decker
Black & Decker
Black & Decker Corporation is a corporation based in Towson, Maryland, United States, that designs and imports power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology based fastening systems...
, McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company manufactures spices, herbs, and flavorings for retail, commercial, and industrial markets. The company began in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. One hundred years later, McCormick moved from downtown Baltimore to the suburb of Hunt Valley, Maryland. McCormick has...
, T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price is a publicly owned Investment firm, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1937 by Thomas Rowe Price, Jr.. The company offers mutual funds, subadvisory services, and separate account management for individuals, institutions, retirement plans, and financial...
, PNC Financial, and The Travelers Companies (formerly USF&G).
Professional Achievements
- Park Circle Motor Company, Executive VP 1966-77; President & CEO, 1977-current
- Legum Chevrolet/Nissan President & CEO, 1977–1989
- Westminster Motor Company, President, 1973-current
- PC Parts Company, President, 1995-current
- Parkway Industrial Center, Limited Partner, 26 years
- The Legum Foundation, Trustee, 1963-current
- Marquis Who's WhoMarquis Who's WhoMarquis Who's Who, a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc., is the American publisher of a number of directories containing short biographies...
in the World, Object of Biographical Information, 1989-current - Who's Who in America, Object of Biographical Information, 1989-current
- Member, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, United Consolidated Industries - 1971-75
Education
- The Park SchoolThe Park SchoolThe Park School is an independent school in Brookline, Massachusetts, for boys and girls in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade. It was founded in 1888 as Miss Pierce’s School. Jerrold I. Katz has been the head of school since 1993.- Campus :...
of Baltimore, 1-12 - The University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Business School, B.S. in Economics, 1963 (Dean’s List 1962-1963)
- Graduate of Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management, 1966
Awards
- Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore Award of Honor, 1967 and 1968
- Associated Endowment Fund Philanthropy Leadership, 1993
- Automotive NewsAutomotive NewsAutomotive News is a weekly newspaper written for 65,000 automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. It is based in Detroit and owned by Crain Communications Inc. The brand has a team of more than 50 editors and reporters worldwide.- History :...
Sales Giant, 1986, 1987, 1988 - Baltimore Museum of ArtBaltimore Museum of ArtThe Baltimore Museum of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, was founded in 1914. Built in the Roman Temple style, the Museum is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works...
, Honorary Trustee, 2011 - Cadillac Pinnacle of Excellence, 1986
- Cadillac Master Dealer Award, 1980–1988, 1991
- Cadillac National Service Excellence Award, 1980
- Cadillac Silver Award for 25 continuous years as a Cadillac dealer, 1997
- Chevrolet Service Supremacy Award, 1978–1987
- Chevrolet Silver Award for 25 continuous years as a Chevrolet dealer, 1992
- Chevrolet Chart Buster Award #1 in Car Sales, 1982
- GM Dealer Award in recognition of your cooperation and endeavors as a council member, 1976–77 and 1982–83
- GM Parts Division Market Builder Awarded to Jeffrey Legum, 1977–97
- Nissan National Merit Master, 1982–1988, Award of Merit, 1982–1988
- The Park School Board of Trustees—Minute of Gratitude, 1994
- Young Presidents' OrganizationYoung Presidents' OrganizationThe Young Presidents’ Organization is a global network of young chief executives. With approximately 18,000 members in more than 100 countries, YPO and its graduate organization, WPO share a founding mission: Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange....
Certificate of Appreciation, 1984
Civic Activities
- Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
- Member of the Board of Trustees, 6 years
- Chairman transportation division, 3 years
- Associated Placement Bureau Board (Jewish Vocational Services)
- Board of Directors, 12 years
- Vice President, 3 years
- Baltimore Hebrew CongregationBaltimore Hebrew CongregationBaltimore Hebrew Congregation is a synagogue and Jewish community in Baltimore. It is affiliated with the Reform Judaism movement.Originally named Nidche Yisroel, the synagogue was founded in 1830, and for the first fifteen years of its existence, services were held in a small room above a local...
- Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
- Investment Committee, 28 years
- Board of Electors, 3 years
- Baltimore Museum of ArtBaltimore Museum of ArtThe Baltimore Museum of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, was founded in 1914. Built in the Roman Temple style, the Museum is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works...
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Honorary Trustee
- Trustee, 20 years
- Executive Committee, 18 years
- Fine Arts Accessions Committee, 20 years; Chair 4 years
- Finance Committee, 15 years
- Investment Committee, 20 years; Chair 5 years
- Legal Panel, Chair, 3 years
- Secretary/Treasurer, 8 years
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Board of Trustees, 15 years
- Finance Committee, 15 years
- Wilmer Advisory Board, 20 years
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Lay member of Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research, 5 years
- Park School of BaltimorePark School of BaltimoreThe Park School of Baltimore is a private, co-educational K-12 school located in Brooklandville, Maryland, USA, just north of the city of Baltimore. The campus lies to the south of Old Court Road in Baltimore County...
- Park School of Baltimore
- Board member, 15 years
- Investment Committee, Chair 15 years
- Executive Committee, 11 years
- Finance Committee, Chair 10 years
- Treasurer, 10 years
- Served on Finance Committee for Maryland Senator Ben CardinBen CardinBenjamin Louis "Ben" Cardin is the junior United States Senator from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. Before his election to the Senate, Cardin was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing from 1987 to 2007.Cardin was elected to succeed Paul Sarbanes in...
- Preakness Celebration - Vice President, 2 years
- Served on Finance Committee for Maryland Senator Ben Cardin
Philanthropy
Jeffrey Legum, through The Legum Foundation, philanthropically supports a wide array of community efforts, such as Johns Hopkins HospitalJohns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland . It was founded using money from a bequest by philanthropist Johns Hopkins...
and Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, Endowed The Jeffrey and Harriet Legum Professorship in Acute Neurological Medicine, Endowed The John W. Griffin, MD Professorship in Neurology; Kennedy Krieger; American Cancer Society; Baltimore Museum of Art, Contributor, The Lucas Collection, 2000, Sponsored Andy Warhol Exhibit "Warhol The Last Decade", 2010–11, Endowed the 100th anniversary advertising and public relations campaign; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; The Park School; University of Pennsylvania; House of Ruth; Baltimore Hebrew Congregation; Associated Jewish Charities.
Professional Associations
- Member, Young Presidents' OrganizationYoung Presidents' OrganizationThe Young Presidents’ Organization is a global network of young chief executives. With approximately 18,000 members in more than 100 countries, YPO and its graduate organization, WPO share a founding mission: Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange....
(YPO) – 15 years - Member, World Presidents Organization (WPO) – 16 years