About J.J. McDonnell & Co. Inc.

J.J. McDonnell was founded in 1945

J.J. McDonnell was founded in 1945 and was originally located in the downtown Baltimore Seafood Market. In 1984, J.J. McDonnell relocated its operations to the Maryland Seafood Market in Jessup, Maryland. In October of 2016 J.J. McDonnell moved into a larger facility in Elkridge, Maryland, where we currently reside.

J.J. McDonnell has established a market leadership position in Maryland, Washington D.C, and Northern Virginia as a provider of high quality seafood products and services.

Over the years, the product focus has transitioned from predominately fresh fish to a healthy mix of fresh and frozen seafood. We cater to a wide range of customers, from Retail to Bar & Grill and Sushi to American Steakhouse, a small ‘Mom and Pop’ or a large National Chain.

J.J. McDonnell prides itself on being a company that offers more than just a product, we offer our customers a wealth of knowledge, information and education about the seafood industry and the product our customers are buying and serving. It’s our pleasure and purpose to provide seafood products, services, and support that will enable our customers to enhance their own businesses.

Values

Our values are shared and demonstrated by everyone at J.J. McDonnell. They are at the core of everything we do in this organization.

Teamwork, Respect of Self and Others, Desire to Excel

Vision

J.J. McDonnell is an organization recognized by its customers and the business community as the top supplier of seafood products and knowledge. We are known as the customers First Choice of contact when they need quality seafood products and service they can trust and depend on.

Members of the J.J. McDonnell organization listen to the customer and make every effort to know your business and understand your needs.

J.J. McDonnell earns and retains a reputation for offering the widest selection and highest quality fresh and frozen seafood products available. J.J. McDonnell constantly searches for new and/or improved products and services that will benefit our customers and our industry. J.J. McDonnell advocates high standards of cleanliness and exceeds regulatory requirements.We as individuals and employees of J.J. McDonnell are sincere in our desire to be courteous, respectful, and friendly with everyone with whom we deal and associate with.

Meet the Owner

George McManus III is a native of Baltimore and has lived here his entire life. Being the youngest of four children, he learned at an early age that you have to work very hard for what you get. Hard work and determination have been the foundation of his success and those values are visible in the company and with its employees.

George attended Loyola University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in Business. It was during his time at Loyola that he started his career at J.J. McDonnell, working weekends and summers driving delivery trucks for the company. When he graduated from Loyola in 1980 he began working full-time at J.J. McDonnell. During these early years he experienced virtually every aspect of the operation including warehouse, deliveries, collections, sales and purchasing.

In 1984, J.J. McDonnell moved its operations from the Baltimore City Wholesale Fish Market to its current location in Jessup, Maryland. Shortly thereafter, in 1986, George purchased the small, yet thriving, company from his long-time mentor Willie Owens. At the time the company had 8 employees and 4 delivery trucks. Today the company has over 170 employees and nearly 25 trucks on the road! Through George's strong leadership and keen ability to cultivate young talent, J.J. McDonnell has grown into the premier wholesale seafood distributor in the region.

George is married to Laura and has two children. When he's not working he enjoys exercising, gardening, traveling and spending time with his family. George is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization and has been since 2000. During many of his YPO years he served as the Communication Chairman and Forum Chairman. In 2008 he transitioned from the YPO to the World Presidents Organization where he is an active member and forum Moderator.

George's philosophy for success in life, as well as business, is simple: Treat people with respect and honesty, work hard, and stay focused on what's important. With that, anything is possible!