TEC Equipment: The Road Ahead

David Thompson is very much a family man. He married Ann in 1985, with a mutual agreement that children were not in the plans.

Fate knew otherwise though, and they now have three sons – David O., Chris, and William – all active leaders and co-owners in TEC Equipment today.

Two very successful businesspeople in their own rights, David and Ann built upon their shared family values as they raised their sons. Starting at age 14, each son was required to work during the summer. They could choose where they wanted to work, but not working wasn’t an option. David and Ann insisted the boys put in 20 hours a week that first summer, then 30 the next, and 40 hours a week by the time they turned 16. They weren’t required to work at TEC, but all three chose to spend those summers learning more about what made TEC thrive from the ground up. They never reported to their father, learning instead from employees across the company and gaining a genuine appreciation for every role.

“Bouncing between departments during those summers really gave us a solid perspective of so many critical pieces of the business. We learned everything from the importance of maintaining our facilities to how critical our parts deliveries and drivers are,” acknowledges Chris. “This business is, in large part, about the people executing on the ground. Learning that early on was priceless in not just understanding the business but truly appreciating the core of what makes TEC so special.”

Today, son David O. oversees real estate and construction across the network as VP of TEC Development. He too reflects on his early experience,

“Those summers were demanding. Shoveling asphalt or painting warehouses taught me what it means to put in an honest day’s work. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the dedication our team brings every single day. The commitment and consistency of our people have been fundamental to TEC’s success over the past 50 years.”

“Working those summers gave me an early understanding of what it takes to build something that lasts,” shares youngest son, William, now Director of Leasing Operations. “Being in the middle of the day-to-day work showed me how much skill, effort, and accountability go into every role. It taught me to be resourceful, to solve problems through ingenuity and curiosity, and most importantly, to respect the craftsmanship and commitment behind the work our teams do.”

These life lessons extended well beyond the summer months, as David has always been a walking billboard touting hard work and perseverance. This trait was recognized through his prestigious distinction as a 2022 Horatio Alger Association Award recipient, an honor reserved for exceptional leaders who have triumphed over adversity to achieve greatness.

And it’s not lost on any of David’s three sons just how hard he worked, and especially given how tough those early years were. The stress of starting a high-stakes business, and then growing it into a multi-state, multi-location network meant long hours at the office which often started before the boys were even awake. However, David always made it a priority to end each night around the dinner table with Ann and the boys.

“I remember Dad making it home for dinner, checking in with each of us and making sure we were working hard in school. He still made time to contribute to chores at night, on top of an already long day at the office. I have these memories of him working at his desk at home around 10 or 11 o’clock at night mapping out the next site, or next tenant space on his graph paper. His mind was always planning, always dreaming, but always present with us as Dad first and foremost,” recollects Chris.

One of William’s lasting memories goes back to the early 2000s, when David, an avid pilot, flew them down to Medford to scout a potential location. “I loved flying with Dad, still do. The facility was an old boat shop at the time; we were walking the site while he was talking about the layout and what was going to go where. I think that was the first time I truly understood that this was what the TEC playbook looked like and that Dad was really at the helm in the biggest way. The next thing you know, Dad’s vision came to life and Medford was up and running. He worked so hard, planning every detail. He still does today – still maps out shops and buildings. That drive and work ethic just doesn’t quit.”

David O. too has fond memories growing up with a dad so hard-wired for success. “I remember going with Dad to work on Saturday or Sundays, flying paper airplanes through the halls while he was negotiating deals. I think it’s important for your children to see what work looks like, to understand that the world is not given – it’s earned.”

Chris and David O. have recently welcomed children of their own, and they’re focused on giving their kids the same foundation their mom and dad gave them – strong values, steady guidance, and an example worth following.

“I hope someday my daughter can look back and see that same work ethic in me that I saw in my dad, and still see today. If she can remember me first and foremost leading by example and she learns that you lead how you want your legacy to be, I will have done something right,” Chris reflects.

When asked what he is most thankful for after fifty years, David pauses only briefly.

“My family. My family.”

Working alongside his sons, he says, has been one of life’s unexpected gifts. “I’m fortunate that they’re all willing and vocal participants in the business. We’ll always have healthy conversations about direction – but I get to work with my three sons. That’s pretty darn special.”

And what does he hope they learned watching him build TEC?

INTEGRITY. ETHICS. CHARACTER. Simple words. Heavy meaning.