James E. Thompson
Encyclopedia
James E. "Jim" Thompson, GBS
(born January 14, 1940) is the founder, chairman and chief executive of The Crown Worldwide Group
. 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
.
Thompson established Crown's first operation in 1965. 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
. In 1970, the company expanded into Hong Kong
and thereafter into other Asia Pacific locations. In 1975, Transport Services International became Crown Pacific, and by the early 1980s was established as the leading moving company in Asia. In later years, offices were established across America, Australasia and Europe, and the company was renamed Crown Worldwide Group
.
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.
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
.
Jim Thompson is a member of the International Advisory Board of the San Jose State University Business School 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). 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 of 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) Ltd., 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. He also served two terms as Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong from 2002-2003.
Additionally, Thompson serves as a member of the Hong Kong Forum and Vision 2047 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 and has been a delegate representing Hong Kong on numerous Hong Kong Trade Development Council trade missions around the world.
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.
Thompson and his wife, Sally, are also very active in the Changing Young Lives Foundation and have chaired and organized several fund raising events. 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.
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.
Gold Bauhinia Star
The Gold Bauhinia Star is the highest rank in Order of the Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong, created in 1997 to replace the British honours system of the Order of the British Empire after the transfer of sovereignty to People's Republic of China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special...
(born January 14, 1940) is the founder, chairman and chief executive of The Crown Worldwide Group
Crown Worldwide Group
The Crown Worldwide Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, provides transportation, relocation services, logistics and storage services from offices in 55 countries...
. Thompson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
and raised in Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
. His father was in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Thompson visited and lived in many places during his childhood, including Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. He eventually made his way to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and attended San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
. While studying at San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
, Thompson was a brother of Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
(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
Crown Worldwide Group
The Crown Worldwide Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, provides transportation, relocation services, logistics and storage services from offices in 55 countries...
.
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
. In 1970, the company expanded into Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and thereafter into other Asia Pacific locations. In 1975, Transport Services International became Crown Pacific, and by the early 1980s was established as the leading moving company in Asia. In later years, offices were established across America, Australasia and Europe, and the company was renamed Crown Worldwide Group
Crown Worldwide Group
The Crown Worldwide Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, provides transportation, relocation services, logistics and storage services from offices in 55 countries...
.
Thompson was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star
Gold Bauhinia Star
The Gold Bauhinia Star is the highest rank in Order of the Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong, created in 1997 to replace the British honours system of the Order of the British Empire after the transfer of sovereignty to People's Republic of China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special...
, which is presented to eminent persons in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
who have given distinguished service to the community or who have rendered public or voluntary service of a very high degree of merit.
Organizations and charity work
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, 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
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
.
Thompson is also a non-executive Director of the Board of the Wharf (Holdings) Ltd., 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. He also served two terms as Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong from 2002-2003.
Additionally, Thompson serves as a member of the Hong Kong Forum and Vision 2047 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 and has been a delegate representing Hong Kong on numerous Hong Kong Trade Development Council trade missions around the world.
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.
Thompson and his wife, Sally, are also very active in the Changing Young Lives Foundation and have chaired and organized several fund raising events. 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 CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with her husband and three children. Thompson's son James Jr. serves as Crown's Regional Director of Northern China. He lives in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
with his wife and young daughter.
External links
- http://www.crownworldwide.com
- http://www.crownrelo.com
- http://www.crownrms.com
- http://www.crownfineart.com
- http://www.crown-logistics.com
- http://www.crownwinecellars.com
- http://www.vision2047.org.hk/members.htm
- http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/hkac/governers.html
- http://www.hospicecare.org.hk/eng/about_committee.html
- http://www.hospicecare.org.hk/eng/hike2008.html
- http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/about/advisory_board/#james
- http://www.chamber.org.hk/info/the_bulletin/january%202000/1999_awards.htm