Atlas’ Jerry Kimble – Racing DestinyThere’s something in the fascinating story of Jerry Kimble, newest member of the Atlas Sales Department, that’s reminiscent of the character Zelig in the famous Woody Allen film. Zelig always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, appearing in photos of landmark events with famous people. Timing, Fate and experience have repeatedly influenced Jerry’s life and career as well, steering him to Atlas at this moment in time; which is indeed fortunate for us and model railroaders everywhere. In this two-part series, we proudly introduce you to Jerry Kimble, who became an asset the minute he walked through the door. Many readers may know Jerry already! An added bonus - Don’t miss the related Trivia Contest at the end of the story!
Before joining Atlas in February 2008, Jerry worked in the automotive industry with General Motors for 35 years. With a self-confessed “need for speed,” and a Tim Allen-like quest for “more power,” Jerry experienced that happy combination of one’s hobbies and interests propelling him into a successful career. While fast cars and faster airplanes were his passion, he also became a model railroader at age eight when he received his first train set, a Christmas gift from his mom. Train tracks near his boyhood Georgia home were an early draw. Despite a few interruptions, Jerry pursued that hobby throughout his life and remains active today, but more on that later. Jerry’s long and winding road began at Ohio’s Akron University, where as a Math major, he aspired to become a mechanical engineer and Air Force pilot. He began acquiring cars and transforming them into racing quality hot rods, a hobby he pursued for ten years, interacting with some of the sports’ biggest names and coolest cars. His first was a 1957 two-door Chevrolet Wagon, in which he won 1st Place for street in his very first custom car show. He turned that into a legal National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) race car in the modified production class, and raced semi-professionally, ultimately becoming an NHRA Pro-Stock crew chief. “I wanted to be a flyboy, but ended up flying Buicks instead,” jokes the affable Jerry. While racing in the NHRA, his mechanical expertise impressed the owner of Elliot Auto Parts, an Ohio supply shop with 15 locations, dubbed “The Home of 10 Million Auto Parts”. Jerry was offered a counter job and soon advanced to salesman, getting on-the-job training in the intricacies and art of sales.
One fateful day while he was at Pro-Car in Akron having work done on his ‘57, he challenged none other than Pro-Car’s owner, Chuck Wright, the well known professional engine/chassis builder and owner of the famous NRHA legal ‘69 Pro-Stock Camaro, the “Tire Town Rat,” alleging Chuck was using the wrong procedure reassembling a customer’s engine. It turned out both men were correct. Another customer, a District Manager for the Buick Motor Division of GM, witnessed the encounter. At the time, GM was conducting a minority recruiting campaign. Thus began Jerry’s career with General Motors. “It was the early 1970s and I was the first black District Manager to go out and call on dealers,” Jerry recalled. “Some were initially reluctant and skeptical, but I won them over.” Anyone who has met Jerry and experienced his enthusiasm, knowledge and positive can-do attitude would understand why. He was also one of the few GM employees who made the jump from service to sales without a college degree. From Training Center Instructor for the Buick Motor Car Division, to District Service Manager, Customer Relations Manager, Audit Department, Marketing and District Sales Manager, he continued his climb, eventually realizing his dream of becoming a Cadillac District Sales Manager, with dealers in three states. Jerry won the GM Achiever Award 20 times, and has a diamond-studded ring to prove it! Boston’s “Motorgate” ScandalCue the “Zelig” theme again. It was as a member of GM’s elite audit team that Jerry brushed up against destiny once more. Some might recall Boston’s “Motorgate” scandal in 1974, which resulted in the gunshot murder of a GM official and the stabbing of an employee at the largest GM dealership in New England, Gordon Butler Chevrolet. The police investigation stalled, but later news reports stated, “To GM’s credit, it was the corporation that unraveled the case. A team from headquarters investigated…and found $33,000 in phony claims” of which only $1,600 could be verified. Jerry was on that team. The late F. Lee Bailey, then 27, was one of the attorneys involved in the sensational fraud case that made headlines across the planet, resulting in mass firings, prison terms and subsequent changes of business ethics policies that had wide-ranging repercussions beyond the automotive industry. The primary suspect, George Edgerly, was later successfully prosecuted in a rape case by none other than former Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. President in 2004, but we digress, an easy diversion when exploring the many tangents of Jerry’s story. Jersey Jerry
Jerry reluctantly moved to New Jersey in 1981 at GM’s “request”. It took three men, significant pressure, and the right house in relatively rural Central New Jersey to convince him to leave Ohio. As he and his wife, Patricia, (also a model railroad enthusiast and railfan), entered the home during their exhaustive house-hunt, the heat went on, the couple felt, “this is home,” moved in, and soon connected with others who shared their passion for real and model trains. In Jersey, Jerry’s career and hobby began to merge. General Motors owned Electro-Motive Division at the time. As a Christmas promotion, Jerry set up a large operating layout in a local car dealership, and raffled off a train set. Visitors came in droves. Then, while on a N.J. Sunday drive with Patricia 1995, he spotted a sign outside Meyer’s Hobby Shop on Route 18 in East Brunswick announcing an appearance by the Independent Hi-Railers Eastern Division Modular Railroad Group. “I made a U-turn, went in, smelled the smell, heard the sounds and was hooked,” Jerry said. There he met Atlas Master Model Builder Steve Horvath, responsible for interviewing prospective members. “Patricia and I hung around all day and eventually Steve invited us to the club’s next show. To build our module, we went to Steve’s house every night. He was so gracious, showing us how to build the bench work, lay track and more. I still have it. We all have tremendous respect for him.” It was another chance to ascend and excel for Jerry, who became the club’s leader, setting up shows and handling details.
Jerry planned to retire from GM in 2007 and move to California, near the famous Tehachapi Mountain Railroad, but Steve told Jerry to “forget retirement and come to Atlas.” Jerry already knew Atlas O, LLC Vice President Jim Weaver and CEO Tom Haedrich. After a couple of interviews, he got the job. “I feel I’m working for the ‘Best of the Best’ in the model railroad community,” said Jerry. “It’s a well run family-owed company. I’m enjoying rubbing shoulders with some of the most knowledgeable enthusiasts in the industry, having fun, and I can even wear my railroad apparel to work after wearing suits for years! My mission at Atlas is to help grow the business in any way I can.” Editor’s Note: As you can see, Jerry is an interesting guy. We could go on, and we will, in Part 2, coming soon. That’s when we’ll delve further into Jerry’s model, and real railroading adventures with his lovely wife Patricia, who is always game to ride the rails with her husband. He claims she’s “crazier than I am” when it comes to trains. We’ll explore that in the next installment as well. Motorhead Alert!
We told you about Jerry Kimble’s relationship with Chuck Wright
and his Tire Town Rat. Do you know the origin of that name? Where
is “Tire Town,” and where did the moniker “Rat”
come from? The first 3 persons who correctly provide the origin
of the entire name will receive an Atlas Trainman® freight car
in the scale of their choice! Email your answers to the Editor,
(who will chose the freight car style), via the link on Page 1 of
this newsletter, no later than midnight, September 26. Good luck!
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