James E. Thompson
James E. Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 14, 1940 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Other names | Jim Thompson |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, chairman and chief executive |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Known for | Founder and chairman of Crown Worldwide Group |
James E. "Jim" Thompson, GBS (born January 14, 1940), is an American entrepreneur who established and currently leads as chairman and chief executive the Crown Worldwide Group.
Early life and education
Thompson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and grew up in Bayonne. Due to his father's naval service, his family relocated frequently, including a period spent in Guam. He pursued higher education at San Jose State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering and became a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Following his graduation, he founded what would evolve into The Crown Worldwide Group.
Career
In 1965, residing in Japan with only US$1,000, Thompson established Transport Services International in Yokohama, recognizing a gap in the market for international relocation services. The business expanded to Hong Kong by 1970 and subsequently throughout the Asia Pacific region. In 1975, the company was renamed Crown Pacific and by the early 1980s had become Asia’s foremost moving enterprise. Further growth led to offices being opened across America, Australasia, and Europe, eventually adopting the name Crown Worldwide Group.
For his exceptional public contributions in Hong Kong, Thompson was honored with the distinguished Gold Bauhinia Star.
Organizations and charity work
Following the establishment of Crown’s facility in Phnom Penh, Thompson and his wife Sally recognized the necessity for a school in the village of Proa Chum. With funding provided through the Cambodian government by Thompson, the Hun Sen Proa Chum Primary School was inaugurated in 2008, bearing a dedication to his mother.
Thompson holds a position on the International Advisory Board of the San Jose State University Business School and leads the HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council) Logistics Services Advisory Committee. He served as a council member from 2002 to 2004. His tenure on the board of Ocean Park Corporation spanned six years until 2009; Crown continues its support for Ocean Park through philanthropic efforts.
He acts as a non-executive director at The Wharf (Holdings), participates in the Investment Promotion Ambassador Scheme, and contributes to both the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Advisory Board (TIAB) and the ICAC Advisory Committee on Corruption. Between 2002 and 2003, he chaired the American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong.
Moreover, Thompson engages with platforms such as the Hong Kong Forum and Vision 2047 that facilitate dialogue among political and business leaders concerning regional matters. He serves on the board of the Hong Kong-America Centre and has represented Hong Kong on various HKTDC trade missions internationally.
In addition to his business roles, Thompson holds executive responsibilities within multiple charitable organizations: he sits on the executive committee of the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, is an advisory board member of The Salvation Army, and acts as a trustee for Outward Bound Hong Kong. He currently leads the annual Hike for Hospice fundraising event.
Together with his wife, he actively supports the Changing Young Lives Foundation—formerly known as Save the Children Hong Kong—where they have chaired numerous fundraising initiatives aimed at advancing child welfare programs.
Personal life
Thompson, an American national who has held permanent residency in Hong Kong since 1978, resides there with his British spouse, Sally. Their daughter, Jennifer, serves as Crown's Group CEO and is based in New York City alongside her family. Additionally, Thompson has a son named James III, who has three daughters from a former marriage.