Page 34 - Arkanas Trucking Report Volume 22 Issue 5

As for whether Thompson has
“ …IT MAKES AN IMPRESSION WHEN YOUR the same retirement-averse gene? It’s
at least a couple of decades away, but
EMPLOYEES SEE THAT YOU’RE WILLING TO Thompson is pretty sure the answer
GET DIRTY, SO TO SPEAK, AND NOT THINK is yes, saying, “I would like to think I

TWICE ABOUT IT.” could slow down long enough to retire,
but I’m not geared that way. I would
definitely like to slow down at some
— JOSH THOMPSON, PRESIDENT OF LEW point. But as far as being able to just
THOMPSON & SON TRUCKING retire and not have a care in the world?
No. I’ll never be able to be like that.”
When working in a 24/7 industry,
as the boss, Thompson pauses briefly to be able to help and they’re more even taking a day off or going out to eat
before tilting his head as he responds, likely to respect you for it. According can be difficult. Thompson finds that
“Pretty easy going. I like to think that to Thompson, “At least from what I’ve even when he’s out to eat for a quick
I’m well respected just because I’ve been seen, these employees, when they see night out with his wife, he’s answer-
there and done it. I drove a truck. I you out there in the trenches, so to ing the phone, which he finds nearly
worked in the shops. I have caught tur- speak, working with them, they respect impossible to turn off even on vaca-
keys. I’ve done a little bit of everything. you a lot more and they will come to tion. “We’ll go on a vacation for three
I would never ask an employee to do you with problems because they know or four days and I’ve got my phone on
what I wouldn’t do myself.” you understand what they’re faced with. the whole time dealing with stuff. She’s
That isn’t an empty statement, They have a lot less respect for you always on me like, ‘You don’t ever get
either. The week before, Thompson being a boss or owner of the company any time away from work. You’ve got to
recounts, the wash pit that catches all if you’ve never been out there and done give yourself some down time.’ That’s
the sediment from the truck wash filled it.” Because of that, Thompson says he’s all I’ve ever known. I take huge pride in
up and had to get cleaned out. They particularly grateful to his dad for get- my job,” Thompson says. He’s not only
brought in a backhoe and a pumper ting him involved and working in the proud of the work he does, he’s aware of
truck, which is similar to trucks used industry at a young age. how that work affects others.
to clean out septic tanks, but the Thompson says that until his father “We have 210 employees; that’s
pumper truck could not get all the way had seven or eight trucks they oper- 210 families that depend on this com-
down into the bottom of the tank. The ated an office the size of a closet. “He’ll pany’s success. So I really try to put all
only option available? A shovel—and joke and say, ‘I worked out of a phone my heart and soul into it and think
Thompson was the lucky winner who booth.’ Because the office was, literally, about every employee on every decision
got to wield it. He just shrugs matter an eight-foot by eight-foot office.” In I make. How is it going to affect each
of factly when he says, “Well, no one November, they’ll break ground on an person?” Thompson likens his thought
else was willing to do it, so it was me expansion that will nearly double their process to having an accountability
or else. So I jumped in there and did office space, as Thompson says that partner there to ensure the right deci-
it. I think I earned some respect that many administrative functions that sions are made and that he stays on top
way. It makes an impression when your should really be housed in one office are of his game. After all, “You’re affecting
employees see that you’re willing to get currently spread out over their five loca- over 200 people’s lives” with every deci-
dirty, so to speak, and not think twice tions because they don’t have the office sion, he says.
about it.” Thompson considers further, space required to put everyone under As for the next generation of
“I’ve just worked hard all my life. That’s one roof. Thompsons? Both enjoy spending time
all I’ve ever known, really.” Thompson While Thompson’s father is semi- at the office after school, where they
says if he wanted something, he was retired, his mother, who founded the can frequently be found jumping in
taught he’d need to work for it—every- company with Thompson’s father, works and out of parked trucks. “They both
thing is earned. As a result, Thompson as hard today as she’s ever worked. think they’re going to be involved in the
has always believed in getting his hands Thompson recalls that five years ago business. Actually, they think they’re
dirty. she thought she wanted to retire, so involved in it today,” Thompson adds
It’s his willingness to do the for six months she only worked one with a laugh. Thompson still drives
work that contributes to his success day a week. According to Thompson, occasionally, when they’re shorthanded
as a leader. Thompson says when you after about six months of that she said, or to pick up an extra load—and his
understand your people and can relate “Retirement’s not for me,” and came sons are the first ones to say, “I’m going
to their struggles, you’re more likely back to work. with you, Dad.” ATR

34 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT