After his father passed away suddenly at age 60 in 2001, Jon Vinje found himself with big shoes to fill. At 29, he was suddenly the president of family-run Halvor Lines Inc.
Nine years later, he's running one of the biggest employers in Douglas County, with more than 400 people working for the Superior trucking company.
"I always had interest and passion for the trucking business," he said. "I am the youngest of five children in my family. When I was a little, I wanted to grow up to be a truck driver."
He grew into much more than that, said Randy Flanagan, who works for a manufacturer of components for semis and trailers and first met Vinje 15 years ago.
"The family was faced with many challenges and questions," Flanagan said about the death of Bill Vinje. "Jon stepped up and led the company, and with the support of the family, has grown Halvor Lines to be an even more successful company."
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Vinje, who has three children, said he owes much to his father's guidance, but he also sees his legacy as a challenge.
"In a funny way, I compete with him today," he said, adding he sometimes tries out different strategies than his father would have. Still, he maintains the elder Vinje's company culture of keeping employees first.
"Our employees are the most important aspect of our business. Without their support, we would have nothing," he said. "I think the most important principle of running a business is treating people like the way you want to be treated."
Mark Illikainen, the company's chief financial officer, said, "I have also seen a genuine compassion and concern for all his employees, including drivers, operations, shop, safety and other administration," he said. "He has continued the Vinje heritage of running a large family business."
And that concern and generosity goes beyond the extended family, said Cameron Fraley, Halvor's chief operating officer, who has known Vinje since he was 10 years old.
"Jon is involved with and supports continuing education, has provided Dale Carnegie for multiple employees, supports local schools through the Bill Vinje Memorial Scholarship, helps provide food to local food shelves and participates in the clothing drive for the needy," Fraley said. "[He] also supports and participates in several business associations, and is willing to help out when needed."
Few instances illustrated greater need than in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. To the rescue came Halvor's trucks and drivers, transporting critical supplies -- donated by Vinje.
