|
Some individuals, it seems, are born with a natural business sense. Richard O. Jacobson is one of those individuals. This natural business sense, paired with his willingness to work hard, paved the way for his entrepreneurial success.
Richard Jacobson was born in 1936 in Belmond, Iowa. After earning a degree in business administration from the University of Iowa in 1958, Jacobson joined the Army for two and one half years. Following his military stint, he became a salesman. While working for Monsanto, he found that the company was in need of warehousing space. Seeing this business opportunity, he laid down $3,500 which he had saved over the last several years to help purchase his first warehouse building in Des Moines. Jacobson Warehouse Company, Inc. was born.
Today, the company is one of the largest privately owned public warehouse companies in the United States. Jacobson Warehouse Company has operations in 15 states and 27 cities with facilities encompassing more than ten million square feet.
In 1980, Jacobson saw the need for a transportation company. Jacobson Transportation Company, Inc. is a truckload common carrier with 450 tractors and 1300 trailers that operate in 48 states, Canada, and Mexico.
In the next few years, Jacobson expanded his organization to include Jacobson Investment Company, Jacobson Packaging Company, Jacobson Logistics Company, and Jacobson Industrial Services Company. Jacobson is Chairman of the Board of all of these companies.
Despite juggling the six Jacobson Companies, Dick finds time to be on the board of directors of several publicly traded companies. In addition, he is involved in nearly two dozen organizations other than Junior Achievement including Des Moines Higher Education Center, Drake University, Grand View College, I Have a Dream, Institute For Character Counts, Iowa State University, Mayo Clinic, Orchard Place, Rock In Prevention, University of Iowa Business School, University of Northern Iowa, Variety Club, and Youth and Shelter Services, plus many others. In addition, he has made major contributions to more than 40 other organizations.
Richard O. Jacobson is a great supporter of all things Iowan. His generosity helped fund not only
Junior Achievement but buildings at The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Orchard Place, and Youth and Shelter Services. Mr. Jacobson is proud to say," I love to give back to projects that need my help."
|
