Phil Long Family of Dealerships is the community leader it is today -from Raton, NM, to Glenwood Springs, CO - because of two men.
Those men, Philip Long and Jay Cimino, were friends and partners whose vision, business acumen, and generosity shaped local communities across the region.
Philip Long's story began in 1918 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he lived until the eighth grade. He spent his high school years at Principia Academy and college at Principia College in Missouri, graduating in 1940. After just one year of law school at the University of Michigan, Mr. Long enlisted in the United States Navy.
World War II was raging, and in 1942, Mr. Long mastered his training as a Hellcat fighter pilot in the South Pacific. He successfully flew 120 missions from the USS Enterprise, the most decorated ship of this era. He was also shot down twice.
The USS Enterprise and Task Force 58 spent nearly a month in the Mariana Islands, preparing for and supporting the Saipan landings on June 15, 1944, striking targets on Guam and Rota, and engaging in the most significant carrier aircraft battle in history: the Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19-20 June 1944. The USS Enterprise played a significant role in the battle: her Combat Information Center (CIC) directed much of the action during the "Turkey Shoot" on the 19th, while an Air Group Ten search was the first to locate the Japanese Fleet on the afternoon of the 20th. During this campaign, Task Force 58 was attacked in successive waves by aircraft from the Japanese Fleet. Lt. Commander M.P. Long and the USS Enterprise Hellcat (task force) fighters joined the Combat Air Patrol in intercepting the Japanese attacks and bombing Orote Airfield on Guam. Throughout the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Task Force Fighters carried out strikes on Guam and the Pagan Islands, neutralizing enemy airfields and destroying defense guns and military installations.
Because of these successful and dangerous missions, Phil Long became a highly decorated soldier. He received the Air Medal and Gold Star award for multiple meritorious achievements and heroic acts during aerial flight. He also earned the Navy and Marine Presidential Unit Citation for gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing a mission under challenging and hazardous conditions. In September 1945, Mr. Long was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant commander.
One month later, he and R. Doenges purchased Vollmer Brothers Ford and changed the name to Doenges-Long Ford - beginning more than a half-century legacy of car dealerships. By 1964,
he bought out Doenges, changed the name to Phil Long Ford Inc., and moved the dealership to what is now known as Motor City in Colorado Springs. In 1975, Philip Long brought in Jay Cimino as his partner, general manager, and, eventually, company CEO.
Mr. Cimino's story begins in 1936. Born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado, he spent his high school years in parochial school, where he excelled in football, baseball, and track & field. After graduating in 1954, Jay Cimino joined the Marine Corps, where he served in the military police and was known throughout his company as a "jack of all trades."
After the Marine Corps, Mr. Cimino received his associate degree from Trinidad Community College in Colorado. He then attended the University of Denver, made the Dean's List, and graduated in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Immediately after graduation, he married Emily Roitz. He went to work for BF Goodrich as a territory manager for the Front Range (Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas), remaining until 1965, when he moved to Pueblo and worked his way up from a finance clerk to new car manager at Jess Hunter Ford.
In 1972, Jay moved his family to Santa Fe, NM, and took on the role of general manager and partner of the Santa Fe Buick, Pontiac, GMC dealership until 1975. Under the direction of his friend and mentor, Philip Long, Jay joined Phil Long Ford in 1975 as the general manager.
Over the years, he earned multiple promotions - ultimately becoming president and CEO of the Phil Long family of dealerships, which now consists of 19 franchises in Denver, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, Trinidad, and Raton, NM. Visit this page to learn more about Jay Cimino.
Sadly, Mr. Philip Long passed away in July of 2001. His life's work and legacy continue to flourish through his reputation and passion for solid business practices, solid long-term relationships, and commitment to the community.
To pay tribute to Mr. Long and where the legacy began, Jay campaigned for and received Colorado Historic Landmark status for the Phil Long Ford signature sign on top of Motor City.
On Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, Mr. Cimino passed away after a short illness. He had retired just days earlier and named his successors to continue the traditions set by Mr. Long - one that he carried himself for decades.
Mr. Cimino leaves a legacy that few men can claim - a devoted family, a successful and growing business, loving friends, and communities grateful for his philanthropic and generous support of health and wellness.
It is clear why Mr. Long put the company in the hands of his partner and friend. Mr. Cimino was committed to improving the lives of residents of Colorado Springs, setting a legacy of philanthropic giving and employee support that sets Phil Long Dealerships apart from other businesses.
His generosity and compassion remain unmatched through the decades he grew Phil Long Dealerships: He supported employees through dedicated health and wellness initiatives, partnered with the Broncos charity to create playgrounds across Colorado, worked with first responders to provide immediate help in the wake of the Black Forest and Waldo Canyon fires.
Mr. Cimino created a nonprofit to honor and support all defenders of freedom, following the vision of his longtime friend, Mr. Long. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center focuses on transition assistance, wellness, and resources for local veterans, military members, and their families. Started in Colorado Springs, Mt. Carmel expanded to Pueblo, Trinidad, Westcliffe, Fountain, and other parts of rural Southern Colorado to meet the needs of veterans across our state. Col. (Ret.) Robert McLaughlin, former garrison commander at Ft. Carson and a decorated combat veteran, leads Mt. Carmel and will continue Mr. Cimino's vision and dream for a veteran support center that reaches across Colorado.
Visit veteranscenter.org for more information about Mt. Carmel and its work.
Mr. Cimino never forgot his hometown of Trinidad. In 2010, he opened Phil Long Ford of Raton, NM, and Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad. In addition to bringing new business into Trinidad and Raton, NM, his passion for seeing Trinidad grow and his vision that his hometown would become the gateway to Colorado led him to create the Trinidad Community Foundation (TCF), and he provided the seed money for the foundation. He founded the Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness, and Community Center in Trinidad. Mt. Carmel HWC center is committed to bringing excellence, integrity, innovation, and the highest-quality, patient-centered, integrated healthcare to Las Animas County and rural southern Colorado. Go to mtcarmelcenter.org for more information.
In 2007, to thank Jay for his vision and contribution to the revitalization of the "City of Champions / City of Opportunity," Trinidad honored him and his wife Emily by naming the town's city park the "Jay Cimino Downtown Family Park and Playground."
Throughout his life, Mr. Cimino was honored for his contributions to both the automotive business and the community. He earned the 2013 American Red Cross "Humanitarian of the Year" award for the Pikes Peak Region and was recognized as the 2012 Colorado Auto Dealer of the Year.
He also received well-deserved recognition from the El Pomar Foundation's prestigious Gov. John A. Love Award, Ford Motor Company's Salute to Dealers Award, the Citizen Meritorious Service Award, The Columbine Individual Citation Award, The John Venezia Memorial Award,
The Council for College Resource Development Award; and the Partners in Philanthropy Outstanding Individual Donor Award.
In 2009, Jay received the Jesuits of Regis University, the CIVIS PRINCEPS. Shortly after, Jay received the highest honor from Fort Carson Army Post given to a civilian, The Good Neighbor Award.
Trinidad State Junior College honored Jay in 2012 as a Hall of Fame recipient. In 2015, the Home Front Cares presented Jay with the Joe Henjum Community Hero Award, and in 2017, he was honored with the Sons of Italy "Citizen of the Year" award.
Since 1945, Phil Long Dealerships has partnered with the United Way. More than $2 million have been raised through corporate and employee donations for the Pikes Peak and Mile High United Way campaigns in the past decade alone.
The strength of the Phil Long Family of Dealerships in such a competitive industry is the result of its ongoing commitment to Philip Long's vision ~ commitment to the community, quality customer service, and exceptional value. Over the years, the Phil Long Family of Dealerships has received numerous industry awards for record-breaking sales, superior customer service, innovative design and presentation, state-of-the-art facilities, community service, design, development, and more. Customers continue to return and refer because of this strong commitment to providing quality products, service, and effort. Passionate commitment to ensure the success of the company, as well as helping to build strong communities is the legacy of the Phil Long Family of Dealerships.
The next generation of leaders is taking the helm of Phil Long Dealerships and will continue the work of its two founders and CEO, Jay Cimino and Phil Long. Kevin Shaughnessy has taken on the role of president and CEO of Phil Long Dealerships and was named to the position by Mr. Cimino.
"He possesses a profound understanding of the company and its requirements, and his leadership has been instrumental in our growth over the past 18 years," Mr. Cimino said in a letter to employees. "Kevin leads with heart and soul, and my faith in him as our next CEO is unwavering." Gina Cimino will continue as president of Mt. Carmel of Colorado and Kip Hampden Properties, a role she has held for 15 years.
"Her dedication to enhancing our community echoes the legacy our founder first initiated, and I am enormously proud that she will elevate our philanthropic and nonprofit impact to new heights," Mr. Cimino said.