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Southern Miss Honors Duff Brothers with 2016 Entrepreneur of Year Award
Fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to core values, Duff Capital Investors fits the bill perfectly as the recipient of the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year award presented by The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Business.
With headquarters in Columbia, Miss., Duff Capital Investors (DCI) is co-owned by businessmen and brothers, James and Thomas Duff. The brothers were honored during a special ceremony on Wednesday, April 27 at the Trent Lott Center.
DCI, which is comprised of 11 businesses employing more than 10,000 people, includes Southern Tire Mart, KLLM Transport Services, Frozen Food Express, Forest Products Transports, T.L. Wallace Construction, DeepWell Energy Services, Southern Insurance Group, Pine Belt Ford, Pine Belt Chevrolet, Magnolia Grille and Magnolia Inn.
The Duff companies include two of the top 10 businesses in Mississippi, four in the top 50 and five in the top 100. The revenue for all DCI companies exceeds $2 billion per year – quite an accomplishment for a firm from Columbia (population: 6,400).
“On behalf of the members of our Business Advisory Council, I congratulate the Duff brothers and their employees for their entrepreneurial spirit and integrity,” said Dr. Faye Gilbert, dean of the Southern Miss College of Business. “We seek to honor companies that do a bit extra for their organizations and the world around them, and we are excited to acknowledge the success and impact of this company.”
The genesis of Duff Capital Investors is Southern Tire Mart which began in Columbia in 1973. Southern Tire Mart is now the largest commercial tire dealer and truck tire re-treader in North America with more than 70 locations across the Southern United States.
At the heart of the Duff’s success is a three-fold focus – customers, employees and business practices. Thomas Duff says their business philosophy is rather basic: “A matter of simply taking caring of our customers and employees better than anyone else.”
It is that “best in class” mindset that has resulted in growing Duff companies to more than 100 locations across the United States and serving some of the largest Fortune 500 companies.
James and Thomas Duff passionately support the University of Southern Mississippi and its key role in the growth and development of the state. The brothers have also been staunch advocates of the University’s outstanding athletic heritage.
In 2012, the Duffs honored USM by making a significant contribution to the athletic department which created a lasting impact on the lives of student athletes, coaches and support staff. In appreciation and recognition, the University named the Athletic Center in their honor.
The Jim and Thomas Duff Athletic Center is located on the north end of Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium and houses the football staff, players and support staff, as well as the Golden Eagles’ administrative offices and some of the school’s coaching staff.
In 2013, the Duffs provided a black and chrome 18-wheeler Freightliner and 52 foot trailer used to deliver the Southern Miss football team’s equipment to games in style. The traveling billboard is decorated in black and gold with a graphic of a USM team hitting the field ready to play, as well as Golden Eagle football facts. Each year the Duffs provide a driver for the truck and donate all expenses associated with operating the truck for the season.
In 2016, the Duffs are making another financial contribution that will be used for locker room renovations and new offices at the Athletic Center.
James and Thomas Duff are native Mississippians who were born and reared in Columbia. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1979 from the University of Southern Mississippi. James attended Utah Valley State.
In addition to corporate interests, Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in Mississippi. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Trustmark National Bank in Hattiesburg. He has two children, daughter Katie Duff Waldrop and son Robert Duff, and, he is a proud grandfather of four.
James and his wife Sherry have two daughters, Margaret Catherine Duff, a student at Mississippi State University, and Caroline Elizabeth Duff, a student at Oak Grove High School.
The Duffs are both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The annual Entrepreneur of the Year is sponsored by businessman Joseph F. Boardman of Gulfport, Miss. Those who receive the distinguished award display an innovative spirit, success in business and the integrity of the operation.
Prior recipients of the Boardman Entrepreneur of the Year Award include: Joe F. Sanderson, Sanderson Farms; Joseph Best, H&F Bread Company; Nancy Duarte, Duarte, Inc.; Sheldon Wolf, Spellex Corporation; Richard “Dick” Farmer, Cintas Corporation; Lucy Buffett, Lulu’s at Homeland Marina; Kathy Freeland, RGIl Technologies, Inc.; Hartly D. and Mary Peavey, Peavey Electronics; Leeland R. Speed, EastGroup Properties, Inc; Ross Perot, Perot Systems Corporation; Ronald “Buddy” McClain, McLain Sonic; Max Draughn, Cypress Pharmaceuticals; Bruce Rossmeyer, Daytona Harley-Davidson; Bill Hudson, Hudson Salvage, Inc.; and David Oreck, Oreck Corporation.
