THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE DREAMS, IDEAS AND GOALS COME TO FRUITION, IS THE CORE OF WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF THE FREEDOMS THAT ARE OURS IN AMERICA.

- Denise Burnett Stewart

SMALL BUSINESS DRIVES THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. IT THRIVES AND SURVIVES NO MATTER WHAT MAY BE GOING ON IN THE MAIN ECONOMY.

- Dick Gadomski

UNLESS WE PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE WILL NOT HAVE AN EXCITING BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE IN OUR COUNTRY.

- Allen B. Morgan, Jr.

GARY W. DODSON

Lonestar Truck Group/TAG Truck Center
CEO & PARTNER
Board of Director

When Tommy Earl and Gary Dodson purchased four of Barloworld Truck Center’s dealerships in the summer of 2007, they say their $25 million bought the best Barloworld had to offer in the Freightliner business in terms of employees and customers. The service center and dealership locations are in Jackson, TN, Jonesboro, AR, Tupelo, MS, with headquarters in Memphis. With the purchases, Earl and Dodson formed TAG Truck Enterprises LLC. The name TAG is an acronym for Tommy and Gary. Perhaps this intrinsic link between themselves and their business explains TAG’s commitment to customer service and satisfaction and their personal touch with the day-to-day operations. Since 2007, revenue at TAG Truck Center has almost doubled, and they have expanded from 4 to 10 locations. TAG Truck Center has been ranked in the Top 25 fastest growing companies in Memphis every year except one, and has been recognized by Freightliner as an “Elite” dealer.

Words used to describe the business and Tommy and Gary are innovative, fair, honest, humble, caring, generous and hard working. They have recently been nominated by The Commercial Appeal as one of the “Best places to work in Memphis”. They are also very involved in the community; current involvement is with Youth Villages, Church Health, Leadership Memphis, Leadership Collierville, New Hope Christian Church, St. George’s, Ronald McDonald House and many more.

Description of Business:

TAG operates ten (10) heavy duty Freightliner and Western Star dealerships in five (5) states (Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri and Kentucky). The company has approximately 400 employees and $300 million in annual sales.

Year Business Founded:

2007

Thoughts on Entrepreneurship:

“‘I believe every successful business started as a small business led by an individual or group who were willing to risk everything to lead the company to growth and sustainability. Our economy needs to support and develop these individuals to stimulate the consistent growth we all seek. Our country will struggle to lead again until we develop programs to teach leadership and innovation to young entrepreneurs.”

For More Information: http://www.tagtruckcenter.com