September 22, 2007
Vice President of Operations Jack Kidd
Richmond, VA - Wilson Trucking Corporation
has a proud history of nearly 81 years. The
company was founded in 1926 by C.G. "Boss"
Wilson to meet the need for more consistent
and reliable cargo transportation to and
from the Shenandoah Valley and Richmond.
C.W. "Buddy" Wilson was the second
generation to continue the proud tradition
of Wilson Trucking and today the company
is run by third generation, C.L. "Chuck"
Wilson and his brother, T.G. "Guy"
Wilson. There is one employee that worked
with all three generations of Wilsons as
an integral part of the companies operation
and is still employed today. John A. "Jack"
Kidd, born October 8th, 1928, began at Wilson
Trucking 60 years ago on September 22nd,
1947. His wife's brother worked for Wilson
Trucking and recommended it to Jack as a
good place to work. Apparently he agreed,
as he is the longest tenured employee currently
on Wilson's payroll.
When Jack began as a dockworker in Richmond,
VA, he had a crew of five dockmen of which
he was put in charge. It wasn't long before
he was promoted to Dock Supervisor and later
to City Dispatcher, Assistant Terminal Manager
and Terminal Manager. In 1965, after working
for Wilson for only 18 years, Jack was appointed
to the Board of Directors and given a promotion
to Operational Manager. His responsibilities
included performance and production of terminal
employees, involvement in acquiring other
companies to increase the scope of operations
and contributing to overall profitability.
When Jack was asked what his primary role
was he said, "figuring out what had
to be done and doing all I could do and more
besides."
As Wilson Trucking continued to grow, Operational
Manager, Jack Kidd assisted in the acquisition
of many companies such as Virginia Freightlines
(Northern Neck), English Transfer (Northern
VA), Shoreline Transportation (Eastern Shore),
Longs Express (Central VA), Mundy Motor Lines
(Roanoke area), southern end of Hemingway
Transport and others. At one point they even
acquired Virginia Air Cargo.
Jack's promotion to VP of Operations came
at a time when he went in to tell Boss Wilson
that he was going to leave Wilson and purchase
Richmond-Petersburg Freightline. Boss told
Jack he was getting a promotion, and together
they would make the purchase. Ultimately,
Harwood Cockrane, former owner of Overnite
Transportation, acquired Richmond-Petersburg
Freightline and Jack continued with Wilson
as VP of Operations. From that point until
now he handles purchasing of properties and
construction of terminals in addition to
the aforementioned duties.
Jack continues to be active in Terminal Operations.
When asked how to successfully manage of
group of nearly 1,800 employees @ 41 terminal
locations he said, "you gotta tell them
today, you gotta tell them tomorrow, you
gotta tell them the next day .... and you
gotta keep on telling them."
It is truly a unique employee to offer dedicated,
loyal, committed service to one company for
60 years. Congratulations.
(This was written by David Tartick with editing
by Guy Wilson.)
More pictures below.
Old and New in Trucking Equipment
(from the Richmond News Leader, Thursday,
November 26, 1959)
Wilson Trucking Corp. recently hooked up
a mule to one of the original company wagons
and hauled a load of Sampson paint products
from the brand new sales office of the Sampson
Paint Mfg. Co. at 301 Hull Street. E.H. Fehskens
Jr., driving the wagon, compares notes with
J.A. Kidd who is in the driver's seat of
Wilson's newest equipment - a Diesel tractor
and a 38-foot trailer. The wagon has cargo
space of about 6 feet by 3 feet and was to
haul apples to the railroads near Lyndhurst
in the 1930s. Wilson Trucking got its start
in that area and in 1936 received a certificate
as a motor protected common carrier from
Waynesboro and Staunton to Richmond. The
company in now planning a new 40-door terminal
facility at 1004 Holly Springs Road.
V.P. of Operations Jack Kidd
Jack Kidd with fellow employees from Richmond
terminal.
Cake to celebrate Anniversary
Detail of Cake picture
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