Some might say it was happenstance while others might believe it was Divine Intervention that led James Johnson to Construction Products, Inc. – now Thomson Prestress – his place of employment for the last 60 years – something that didn’t slip by those he is employed by or works with, when he was recognized during a banquet at the Jackson Country Club.
“The banquet was an honor, and these are good people to work for … a good company to work for – we’re kind of like family.” James said, “Wade (Thomson) Sr. had a lot to do with it. He gave me confidence I could do it, and I never felt I was overwhelmed. Our workload and production have increased, but the stress hasn’t.”
Thomson Prestress – a leader in high-quality, pre-cast and pre-stressed concrete products, specializing in bridges, commercial buildings, railroads, and marina construction – was founded in 1959 by Wade Thomson, Hunt Maddox, and Glenn Dillon, and moved to its present location at 1631 Ashport Road in 1964.
The company began as a division of Williams Steel Company on Lake Street, but moved to Ashport Road when the state needed the Lake Street property for what would become the Keith Short U.S. Highway 45 Bypass.
But before the land was developed to build bridges, James Johnson was sharecropping the property, and it was there Wade Thomson Sr. would meet the man who one day would become the plant manager at the company he helped found.
“My grandfather offered him money to help him unload some items out the back of a truck, and then wanted to know if James, a teenager, might be in the market for a job. “Wade Thomson said. ”He started off at the bottom as a kid, full-time … he came out not knowing anything, but now he knows everything about the business.”
Wade Thomson, president of Thomson Prestress, said James – wife and three children – has been plant manager for at least 20 years.
“We used to have an asphalt division, but Mr. James stayed here and came to the concrete division,” Wade said. “He is over about 45 people in the yard. His loyalty has always been there – we’ve taken care of him, and he’s taken good care of us.”
Wade said James is blessed with a commodity that is in short supply these days – common sense.
“James can look at a set of plans and if they are not properly detailed – this contradicts this over here – you go to James and he’ll say this detail is incorrect, it should be this number.” Wade said. “We call the engineers, we verify, we start doing it his way, because we know he’s right – more often than not – I won’t say every single time but it’s impressive how often.”
James, who comes across as a humble man who lets his work do his talking, said his most difficult challenge was working in asphalt before transitioning into concrete.
“I’ve seen this area change, and the development in the area has been good.” James said. “I was tying steel and pouring concrete when I first got started.”
The landscape on Ashport Road has changed, but James Johnson has not according to Wade Thomson.
“You won’t find a better person than James Johnson.” Wade said. “The Good Lord certainly broke the mold when He made James, and I’m not just talking about his experience and common sense – I’m talking about his character – he is a very special person.”
(PHOTO: James Johnson)
