From Blue Jackets to Big Cranes: The Foundation of Barry Thompson

Barry Thompson, chairman of NexGen Crane & Rigging and Hamilton FFA Alumnus.

 In 1973, a 10-year-old boy from Hamilton, Miss., walked into a show ring with his first Polled Hereford heifer. At the same age, he stood before the Mississippi Legislature — not once, but twice — to speak about the vital impact of agriculture and FFA.

Today, that boy is Barry Thompson, the chairman of NexGen Crane & Rigging and a pillar of the Hamilton business community. While his daily view has shifted from livestock to heavy industrial machinery, Thompson credits his success to the “life lessons” he learned in the blue corduroy jacket of FFA.

A Legacy Built on Service

For Thompson, business was a family affair long before he reached adulthood. “My father (Bill) established his own business in 1972 when I was eight years old,” Thompson says. “My brother (Ken) and I were making service calls before I even got my driver’s license at 15!”

A young Thompson preparing to speak before the Mississippi Legislature on behalf of vocational education.

This early exposure to hard work, combined with his time in FFA agricultural mechanics and livestock programs, laid the groundwork for a career defined by “servanthood,” he says. As a leader, Thompson’s philosophy is simple: never ask an employee to do something you haven’t done or wouldn’t do yourself. It is a mindset that turns a boss into a mentor.

The “Pride” of the Pivot

One of the most striking parts of Thompson’s journey is his honesty about career paths. After earning a degree in animal science from Mississippi State University, his heart was set on the ranch. “At 17, I wanted to work on a cattle ranch for the rest of my life,” he says.

However, reality required a pivot. To provide for his wife, Debbie, and children, he took a job at the local paper mill in Columbus to secure better benefits. “Sometimes you have to put your pride aside and earn an income doing something else to fund your true interest,” Thompson says. This practical wisdom is a powerful message for today’s students: success isn’t always a straight line, but hard work in one field often provides the keys to the next.

Mistakes vs. Integrity

Today, Thompson serves as a chairman, and his son, Brent, is the CEO of NexGen Crane & Rigging. In the high-stakes world of industrial rigging, safety and honesty are non-negotiable. Thompson’s leadership at NexGen is built on a foundation of absolute integrity. He makes a clear distinction for his team: mistakes are part of learning, but character is fixed.

“I teach our employees that I will not fire you for making mistakes, but I will fire you for lying!” Thompson says. He expects his team to follow instructions to the letter — unless those instructions are “immoral, illegal or unsafe,” he says.

Advice for the Next Generation

When Thompson looks at a job applicant today, he isn’t just looking at a resume; he’s looking for respect. “You must look at me when I am talking to you, and I must look at you,” he says, emphasizing the importance of eye contact and communication skills fostered in FFA.

To the students currently in Ms. Terrell’s FFA chapter in Hamilton, Thompson offers a challenge: stay curious and stay grounded. In a world of “instant gratification,” he urges students to take the time to build a foundation.

“I am just giving back to an organization that gave me the foundation to be successful,” Thompson says. From that first heifer in 1973, to the massive cranes of today, that foundation remains as solid as a Thompson weld.