James E. Thompson

James E. Thompson
Born January 14, 1940
Nationality United States
Permanent resident of Hong Kong
Alma mater San Jose State University
Occupation Businessman
Known for Founder of The Crown Worldwide Group
Net worth Increase US $ 1.0 billion
(March 2013)[1]
Title Chairman
Spouse(s) Sally Thompson
Children Jennifer Thompson
James Thompson Jr.

James E. "Jim" Thompson, GBS (born January 14, 1940) is the founder, chairman and chief executive of The Crown Worldwide Group.

Early life and education

Thompson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and raised in Bayonne. His father was in the United States Navy and Thompson visited and lived in many places during his childhood, including Guam. He eventually made his way to California and attended San Jose State University. While studying at San Jose State University, Thompson was a brother of Alpha Tau Omega (Epsilon Chi Chapter). After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, Thompson formed what is now known as The Crown Worldwide Group.[2]

Jim Thompson traveling through Norway in 1960

Career

Thompson established Crown's first operation in 1965.[3] Thompson was living in Japan at the time and recognized the need for an international moving service. With only US$1,000 in his bank account, he established Transport Services International in Yokohama.[4] In 1970, the company expanded into Hong Kong and thereafter into other Asia Pacific locations.[5] In 1975, Transport Services International became Crown Pacific, and by the early 1980s was established as the leading moving company in Asia.[6] In later years, offices were established across America, Australasia and Europe, and the company was renamed Crown Worldwide Group. Thompson is widely known for his very modest personal demeanor and tends to downplay his extensive charitable activities. He is also seen as the "Leader of the American Community" in Hong Kong not for his wealth and accomplishment but for his modesty and down-to-earth manner. Quite surprisingly for an individual of his business accomplishments he is only spoken of with respect within the community. People often point to Thompson as an example that "nice guys can finish first".

Thompson was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star, which is presented to eminent persons in Hong Kong who have given distinguished service to the community or who have rendered public or voluntary service of a very high degree of merit.[7]

Organizations and charity work

Lt. Gen Ma Chhoeun, adviser to the Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen; Thompson and his sister, Hazel Joyce, honoring their mother Sadie

Following the opening of Crown’s facility in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thompson and his wife Sally traveled to the region, where it was brought to their attention that the village of Proa Chum needed a school. Thompson contacted the Cambodian government and agreed to provide the funds for a school, requesting that it be named in his mother's honor. Early in 2008, Thompson announced the official opening of the Hun Sen Proa Chum Primary School in Phnom Penh.

Proa Chum Primary School

Thompson is a member of the International Advisory Board of the San Jose State University Business School[8] and serves as the chairman of HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council) Logistics Services Advisory Committee (where he also served as a council member from 2002 to 2004).[9] He also served as a board member of Ocean Park Corporation for six years, a nature-themed amusement park with a mission to assist in the understanding and practice of wildlife conservation. Although Thompson retired from this post in June 2009, Crown continues to support Ocean Park through a variety of charitable activities and services.

Thompson is also a non-executive director of the board of The Wharf (Holdings), a member of the Investment Promotion Ambassador Scheme, as well as the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Advisory Board (TIAB) and the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) Advisory Committee on Corruption.[10] He also served two terms as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong from 2002–2003.[11]

Additionally, Thompson serves as a member of the Hong Kong Forum and Vision 2047[12] which are organizations that actively discuss Hong Kong issues with visiting politicians, journalists and academics. He is also a member of the board of the Hong Kong-America Centre[13] and has been a delegate representing Hong Kong on numerous Hong Kong Trade Development Council trade missions around the world.[14]

Thompson is a member of the Executive Committee of the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, is an advisory board member of The Salvation Army and a trustee of Outward Bound Hong Kong. He currently chairs the annual Hike for Hospice charity event.[15]

Thompson and his wife, Sally, are also very active in the Changing Young Lives Foundation[16] and have chaired and organized several fund raising events.[17] Formerly known as Save the Children Hong Kong, Changing Young Lives is a long-established charity organization based in Hong Kong, with a focus on helping children.

Personal life

Thompson is a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of Hong Kong, having lived there since 1978 with his wife Sally, who is a British national. Thompson's daughter Jennifer serves as Crown's director of corporate responsibility. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children. Thompson's son James Jr. serves as Crown's regional director of Northern China. He lives in Beijing, China with his wife and young daughter.

The family also have a multi million dollar base in the south east of ireland where they spend sometime each year. They are very involved in the community and employ many people to ensure there needs are met

References

  1. ↑ Forbes: The World's Billionaires – Jim Thompson March 2013
  2. ↑ Kellogg-HKUST EMBA Program, 10th Anniversary Weekend, 25–27 May 2007, Conference Speakers. bm.ust.hk
  3. ↑ James E. Thompson at the Wayback Machine (archived May 22, 2008). AMEinfo.com
  4. ↑ The Crown Worldwide Group, "Not just a beautiful motorcycle, but a piece of company history."
  5. ↑ China Briefing’s Business Guide to Beijing and North-East China, January 2007, p. 155.
  6. ↑ The Crown Worldwide Group, "Crown's History"
  7. ↑ "The best move of his life", HKTDC – Hong Kong Trader, July 2008.
  8. ↑ SJSU College of Business Advisory Board at the Wayback Machine (archived February 27, 2009). cob.sjsu.edu
  9. ↑ Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Annual Report 2003/2004, "Council Members, Directorate and Senior Staff".
  10. ↑ The Friends of Wolfson College Hong Kong, Honorary Members at-a-glance. wolfson.hk
  11. ↑ "Crown Founder Tells Why Hong Kong's Home for Global Business" at the Wayback Machine (archived February 20, 2012), Press Center, The American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong. 2008
  12. ↑ Vision 2047. Vision 2047.org.hk
  13. ↑ Board of Governers. Hong Kong-America Centre. Cuhk.edu.hk. Retrieved on 2014-07-13.
  14. ↑ Fulbright Hong Kong 2005–2006. cuhk.edu.hk
  15. ↑ Hike for Hospice: "Business and Community Leaders Join Together for Hike for Hospice 2009", Press Release, February 2009.
  16. ↑ Changing Young Lives Foundation. Changingyounglives.org.hk. Retrieved on 2014-07-13.
  17. ↑ "Report of the Chairman of the Council For the Fiscal Year Ended 31 March 2009", Changing Young Lives Foundation, 2009.

External links

Order of precedence
Preceded by
Lawrence Fung
Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star		 Hong Kong order of precedence
Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star 		Succeeded by
Timothy Fok
Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star