John Thompson of Livingston is the 2015 recipient of the Silver Bucket Award, presented by Jay Shands, President of First Bank and Trust of East Texas, at the 2015 Economic Development Summit held by the Texas Forest Country Partnership at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center on November 4, 2015.
“I’m so very appreciative,” Thompson said. “In life your lucky to work in an area where you have passion and I have passion for this East Texas, and for economic development, and making the lives of folks that live here better.”
Thompson is a native of Houston, and attended University of Louisianna-Monroe where he received Bachelor’s of Pharmacy. After moving to Livingston, Thompson began work at a pharmacy and three years later was the owner of Livingston Drug Store, “where he moved right into a lifetime of public service,” said Shands.
Thompson was elected to Livingston City Council in 1983, served as Mayor pro temp from 1985-1990, and served as Executive Director of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce in 1988.
Thompson led efforts for two facilities that provide over 1,000 jobs in Polk county. He helped organize a successful bid for construction of the state prison unit, which created over 800 permanent jobs and provides over $37 million in payroll. In 2004, he led efforts to for construction of the IAH Secure Adult Detention Facility, which provides jobs for 250 residents.
Thompson was elected as Judge in Polk county in 1991, “giving him more opportunity to focus on economic growth and development for our area,” said Shands.
“His desire to improve education in his community led to building the Angelina College Polk County Center,” said Shands. Thompson is also the Chairman of the Polk County Higher Education & Technology Foundation.
“He has dedication and foresight beyond his county,” Shands said. “Thompson was a strong force across the state to improve transportation. He has started a consulting firm that will continue his legacy of focusing on business and government solutions with emphasis on economic development, transportation, and pharmaceuticals.”
“To be thanked for working and doing a job is great, but the blessing has been mine and I appreciate it very much,” Thompson said. He and his wife, Kim, have seven children and three grandchildren.
