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Entrepreneur Farming
Bob was raised on a small 10 acre farm in southern New Jersey. The family raised chickens for eggs which were sold direct to customers in Woodbury New Jersey from circa1948 through about 1965. The farm also produced strawberries, raspberries, sweet corn and Gooseberries. Bob was very involved with all these operations from early childhood through High school when he left the farm for college.   Pot Holders1949 Made and sold over 1000 pair of jersey loop potholders. $0.25 a pair or $0.15 each. All the funds less material went into savings Garden PlowingFor the springs of 6th, 7th, and 8th grades Bob would plow gardens for many of the Clarksboro homeowners. He used the family Farmall Cub tractor and was paid whatever the homeowner offered. They invariably paid more than Bob would charge so Bob and dad were very happy. Honey
1953-1955 Bob originally started with one hive as part of the Boy Scout beekeeping merit badge. The second season Bob bought 5 multiple super hives with money made by plowing gardens. Premium honey was graded for lightness in color and was very competitively priced at about $0.30 a pint. Bob planted buckwheat, pointed the hives toward local wild flowers and nearby woods, and developed very dark honey. This dark honey was sold to the egg customers (see farming above) as real honey and not the commercial light honey in the stores. Bob sold several thousand pints at about $1.25 a pint and the demand far out paced the supply. Momma J. developed an allergy to bee stings and the bee business had to be sold. The profits were saved for college costs. Space suits
1965-1967 During employment at United Nuclear Corp. in Hew Haven Connecticut Bob was in charge of making naval nuclear fuel assemblies. One of the operations required the operators to work in a pure Argon atmosphere saturated with alcohol. United Nuclear could not buy any workable operator protective suits anywhere. Even the designers of the Mercury and Gemini suits could not produce good suits. Rocket fuel handling full body protective suits failed from alcohol exposure. Bob designed and made workable suits in his basement that worked better than expectations. He sold these suits to United Nuclear and expanded sales to Universal Cyclops in Pittsburgh who successfully used the suits for welding operators inside large argon filled assembly rooms. Garrisue Industries, Inc was established and incorporated to assist the expanding business. Bob then bid on a large contract with Oak Ridge for plutonium handling. Bob made the only workable sample that was required with the bid. However, the government did not want to risk the project with the key device being made in the basement of one person. The government gave the design to a large company to supply the product at a higher price.
  TRIAX1974-1998 Bob started a general metal fabrication “C” Corporation business in the recession of 1974. He started with leased business (the operating company F. A. Long Co.), equipment, buildings and inventory (yes, inventory can be leased if done carefully). Working capital was form Bob’s paycheck savings and no bank financing was available for two years. The business started with three full time employees and Bob. Triax expanded continuously through 1995 when there were about 100 families dependant on TRIAX for employment and wages. In 1996 Bob started to downsize TRIAX. The last part of the company was sold through bankruptcy in 1998. During the 24 years of TRIAX and through the bankruptcy there was never a missed payroll, late or unpaid taxes, late bank payments or any loss to a secured creditor. Jackson International, Inc.
1990 to Present This corporation was started in 1990 and sub chapter “S” incorporated in 1993. The primary purpose was to assist TRIAX and other companies for international import and export business. Exports were to countries such as China, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Hungary and Mexico. Imports were primarily from China. Manufacturing of freight rail car parts was started in 2006 and is done in a 30,000 sqft facility in Constantine Michigan serving all of the US, Mexico and Canada. Bob is a proven businessman and job creator
Innovations documented with Patents by Bob
Greaseless Fulcrum for Railcar Door 6,807,774 – USA 10/26/04 Dual Pawls for Railcar door operation 6,659,018 – USA 12/9/03 Greaseless Railcar Door Hanger Assembly 6,647,896 – USA 11/18/03 Railcar Handbrake 6,397,978 – USA 1/4/02 782,502 – Australia 8/4/05 201/7595 – South Africa 5/29/02 ZL 01133069.4 - China 8/15/2007 Railcar Pendulum Brake Beam 6,273,219 – USA 8/14/01 Railcar Braking Mechanism 5,785,159 – USA 7/28/98 Anti-Rotation Member for Railcar Brake Beam 5,456,337 – USA 10/10/95 95/0263 – South Africa 2/28/98 ZL94108719.0 – China 1/13/01 Intermodal Shipping Securing Device 5,613,814 – USA 3/25/97 Railcar Brake System 5,259,485 – USA 11/9/93 Railcar Brake Beam 5,000,298 – USA 3/19/91 Interconnecting Container Lock 4,641,399 – USA 2/10/87 Tri-axially redrawn metal Tubing 3,678,727 – USA 7/25/72 953,245 – Canada 8/20/74 1,388,431 – Great Britain 7/23/75 978,272 – Japan 2,101,395 – France 3/31/72
Bob's Employment History
Paulsboro Record – Reporter for East Greenwich circa 1955
Summer 1957 - Del Monte canning house – Swedesboro, NJ
Quality control 12 hr days, 7 days a week normal
Summer 1958 & 1959 – Philadelphia Navy Yard
Student trainee, metallurgical assistant
Summer 1960 – Alan Wood Steel Co. – Near Philadelphia, PA – Steel producer
Assistant metallurgist – Major temper rolling process improvement
1961 – 1962 – ACF Industries - Albuquerque, NM – Nuclear weapons mfg.
Metallurgist – “Q” security clearance
Redefined heat treatment for 6061 Aluminum
Developed welding process for Titanium alloys
1962 – 1963 – Superior Tube Co
Senior Engineer – “L” security clearance
Developed new processes for naval nuclear reactor control rods
1964 – 1969 – United Nuclear – New Haven, CT – Naval nuclear reactor mfg
1964 Senior Engineer
1965 Welding Superintendent (promotion)
1966 Production engineering Manager (promotion)
1968 Project manager (promotion)
1969-1970 Elwwood Ivins Tube Co. – Horsham, PA - Steel and Stainless Tubing redraw Mill (Ref Bob’s tubing patent)
P & L Plant Manager
1971 Olin Corp, Alton Il – Ordinance and air bag manufacturer
Technical Specialist
1972 Abbery Steel Co, Perth Amboy, NJ
Plant Manager - Bob wanted to buy Abbery Steel but had insufficient funds
1973 – 1974 Graver Tank – East Chicago IN – Huge refinery tanks and commercial nuclear plant construction.
Manufacturing Manager – Resigned to start TRIAX
1974 to present
The above history was for employment for wages. Since 1974 all of Bob’s income has been from TRIAX and Jackson International as the owner and operator. See the Entrepreneur section. From 1998 to 2003 Bob was also the Chief Engineer for YSD Industries to facilitate the sale of TRIAX to YSD Industries.
Family Status
Bob was born September 23, 1939 to Ora Mae and James L. Jackson in Woodbury, New Jersey and was raised on a small farm in Clarksboro, New Jersy
Married Barbara Ann Arndt 8/30/75
BA Education 1969 – Western Michigan University
MA Education Leadership 1976 – Western Michigan University
English Teacher in rural Michigan setting 1969 – 1978
Homemaker – 1978-1998
1998 to present - Certified English Teacher in - Benton Harbor, MI, High School
Son – Scott Married - Kara
BA education, Western Michigan University -
Certified English and Drama teacher, Bangor, MI High School
Son – John
BS Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State
MS Business, Michigan State
President and 49% owner of Jackson International, Inc.
Manufacturer of Railcar Components
Maggie – Schnauzer – Love absorber & barker
Married Helen Sue Pfaffinger 9/10/60
Helen’s parents were German immigrants
Divorced 8/6/69, One son, Thomas.
Son - Thomas Married - Judy - Homemaker BS Business - Northwood University Two daughters - Brandy and Theresa Like his father, Thom is a proven inovator and family provider. Awards and Community Recognition
8/8/77 TRIAX Tube Co. (owned by Bob Jackson) Business Commendation – City of Benton Harbor City Council Resolution
1983 Bob Jackson – Citizen of the Year – Benton Harbor Kiwanis Club
1983 Bob Jackson – Engineer of the year – Blossom Land Chapter Michigan Society of Professional Engineers
10/17/83 Bob Jackson Commendation – City of Benton Harbor Commission
First business man to purchase a portion of a vacated foundry building
Prime recruiter of other businesses to buy Benton harbor Industrial property
Chairman of the Benton Harbor City Enterprise Zone (No Tax Zone)
5/23/84 Recognition for donation of a complete X-Ray unit to the Davis Memorial Hospital in Georgetown, Guyana. - Seventh-Day Adventists
6/11/87 1987 Twin Cities Area Small Business Person of the Year – Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce
6/11/87 Gold Award for 50% growth in 3 years - TRIAX Tube Co – Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce.
11/6/87 Expansion Award – TRIAX Tube Co – Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce
7/15/91 Special Tribute to TRIAX - Senate of the State Of Michigan – Recognized the US Chamber Blue Chip Award to TRIAX
1991 U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Blue Chip” achievement award. One of 4 businesses recognized in Michigan
1992 Golden Stake Award to Bob Jackson – Cornerstone Alliance, Council of Commerce and Community Development
1993 Tigers Baseball Team Sponsor (1st Place) – Benton Harbor Little League
11/5/93 Certificate of award to TRIAX-DAVIS (owned by Bob Jackson) for job training – Berrien-Cass-Van Buren Private Industry Council.
1/24/94 1993 Platinum Stake Award to TRIAX Tube Co. for 100% Sales increase in 1993. – Cornerstone Alliance
1994 Fairplain Tigers Baseball Team Sponsor (1st Place) – Benton Harbor Little League
1995 Fairplain Baseball Team Sponsor (2nd Place) – Benton Harbor Little League
9/12/95 Certificate of Appreciation – The Air Brake Association.
9/15/97 Certificate of Appreciation – The Air Brake Association.
2006 Wabano District Chairman Service Award - Boy Scouts of America
Community Experience
Member – 32 years - First Church of God of St Joseph
Member - Missions Board - 2 years
Director – 10 years – Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce
Chairman – Enterprise Zone (No Tax Zone) Committee
Member – Legislative Committee
Director – 1 year – Cornerstone Alliance (Area Economic Development)
Delegate – 1 year – Governor’s Conference on Small Business
Chairman – 10 years – City of Benton Harbor Enterprise Zone (No Tax Zone) Council
Director – 2 years – Benton Harbor Businessmen’s Association
Member – 2 years – Benton Harbor City Venture Advisory Board
Director – 10 years – CETA, JTPA and finally the Tri-County Private Industry Council (PIC)
Federal Job Training and Placement Programs
Director – 2 years – Northwestern Berrien County Sanitary Land Fill Authority
Member – 45 years – American Society of Metals
Member – 45 years – National Society of Professional Engineers
Member – 25 years - Michigan Society of Professional Engineers
Member – 10 years – Rotary International – Paul Harris Fellow
Member of several clubs from 1982 to present
Boy Scouts of America - Lifelong involvement
Executive Board Member – 4 years - Berrien County Republicans
100 Club Member
4th Congressional District Committee
Precinct Delegate
Candidate for Michigan 4th Congressional District – 1982 and 1984
Federal Elections Committee registered and Reported
Withdrew before Republican primary vote
| Education
East Greenwich Grammar School, Clarksboro, NJ - 1953
Swedesboro High School, Swedesboro, NJ - 1957
Science award
Government major scholarship (unfunded after competitive acceptance)
Track letter – 880 racer and chinning record
Basketball manager letter
Several social clubs
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 1961
BS Metallurgical Engineering
Dorm Social Chairman 2 years
Married senior year
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1968
MS Industrial Management
Registered Professional Engineer (PA, IN) Bob Jackson’s Military Record
Registered 9/24/57 No. 28-20-39-451
Classified 2-S 11/5/57 (Student)
Classified 4-F 4/7/59 (Physical deferment after second Spinal fusion operation)
Bob had a spinal fusion his senior year in high school and missed almost ½ a year in class. He was home schooled for the almost 4 months of recuperation and made the honor roll for the semester and year. During the freshman year at college the fusion broke and Bob had a second spinal fusion between the freshman and sophomore college years. In spite of these setbacks Bob graduated as an engineer at the age of 21.
1957/58 One year (4 credits) ROTC – Lehigh University
Classified 3-A 8/6/63 | Bob Jackson Boy Scout Record
6/1/51 through 5/31/54 – Registered with Troop 59, Clarksboro, NJ
6/1/54 Through 5/31/57 – Registered with Explorer Post 159, Clarksboro, NJ
10/24/52 Second Class
11/21/52 First Class
11/29/52 Star Scout - First in Troop History
7/17/53 Life Scout - First in Troop History
3/14/54 God and Country Award - First in Troop History
8/12/54 Eagle Scout - First in Troop History
1/28/55 Bronze Palm - First in Troop History
2/29/56 Gold Palm - First in Troop History
Total of 33 merit badges earned
Leadership offices held:
Assistant patrol leader
Patrol leader
Scribe
Den Chief
Quarter Master
Senior Patrol Leader
Jr. Asst. Scout Master
1961 – Assistant Scoutmaster Albuquerque, NM
1963-64 – Scout Master, Collegeville, PA – Restarted an inactive troop
1986-87 - Cub Master, Hollywood, Stevensville, MI (Started this Pack)
2002 – 2006 – Wabano District Chairman, SW MI Council (4 years Quality District) |
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