Community

In November 2014, Ortega Automotive owner Tom Harris passed away after more than 22 years of serving the Ortega neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. Following his passing, Tom’s wife, Joni, and their family made the difficult decision to no longer operate the business.

In July 2015, former Ortega Automotive employee Paul Smith and his son Derek stepped forward to continue the legacy, and Ortega Car Care was born. With the support of Paul’s late wife, Cindy, along with their sons Derek and Steven, Ortega Car Care proudly continued serving the same neighbors Tom and his family had cared for over the years.

After Cindy’s passing in 2022, Paul faced a challenging crossroads. Managing office operations while continuing hands-on automotive repairs was no longer sustainable. By this time, Derek had moved on to pursue a successful career as an engineer with Ford Motor Company, and Steven had started his own business.

In March 2022, longtime family friend Bryon Barber—and former technician—joined Ortega Car Care to help fill the administrative and sales roles. With Paul’s 40+ years of automotive repair experience and Bryon’s 35 years of business management expertise, Ortega Car Care has continued to grow and succeed year after year.

That success comes from one simple philosophy: Customer First. At Ortega Car Care, you’re not just a customer—you’re part of our extended family.

Serving multiple generations of families, watching children grow up and head off to school, sharing time with customers outside of work, and seeing our team show up every morning is one of the most humbling experiences we can imagine. People have choices when it comes to auto repair, and technicians have choices about where they work. The fact that they chose us means everything.

We believe honest repairs, fair pricing, and clear communication are the foundation of lasting relationships. It’s never about the sale—it’s about taking care of people. Take care of family, and family will take care of you.

Our process may be different, but it works. We listen to our customers, identify the real issue, explain which repairs are needed now and which can be planned for the future, and provide a strong 2-year / 24,000-mile warranty on repairs. Most importantly, we take time to educate—gently and respectfully—so customers can make informed decisions.

Our goal is simple: help each customer meet their expectations for how long their vehicle should last.

We’re also deeply involved in our community—not for recognition, but because we genuinely care. A few of the organizations we proudly support include:

• ASE Advisory Board Member for the local Automotive Technician program (former alumnus)
• Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Dinner Advisory Committee (20+ years)

• Multiple sponsorships and support for local car club events
• Ongoing involvement with local church events