As founder and chairman of the board of Transportation Insight, a third-party logistics (3PL) and enterprise supply chain solutions provider, Paul Thompson built a company rooted in entrepreneurial vision. Nearly two decades ago, Thompson brought to Appalachian State University his belief that entrepreneurial thinking could create opportunities for students to learn and grow in ways that transcend the traditional classroom. Through his philanthropy and a partnership with App State’s Walker College of Business, Thompson helped create a center for entrepreneurship that has empowered thousands of Mountaineers to pursue ideas, launch ventures and grow as innovators.
“Because of Paul’s philanthropic support and belief in us, our students, faculty, staff and local entrepreneurs have had access to vital resources, mentorship programs, and the critical funding needed to turn raw ideas into viable startups,” said Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy. “Paul’s vision aligned perfectly with our mission to prepare tomorrow’s business leaders through transformational educational experiences.”
Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Erich Schlenker, the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship is a place where students develop ideas, compete in pitch competitions, connect with mentors and gain the confidence to turn opportunity into action.
Students collaborate in the center.
“Paul’s vision extends far beyond the center’s walls,” said Schlenker. “It lives in students and alumni who discovered the confidence to pursue ambitious goals, the businesses launched at Appalachian and countless careers shaped by entrepreneurial thinking.”
A legacy of significance
Throughout his career, Thompson has emphasized that success is measured not by personal achievement, but by service to others. That philosophy was powerfully reflected in his message when he served as the university’s Boyles Distinguished Lecturer in 2016:
"The highest level of life isn't success; it is significance. Significance is not what you do for yourself. It's what you do for others."
Related Video: Boyles Distinguished Lecture Series - Paul Thompson
Those words are evident in Thompson’s approach to philanthropy.
Paul Thompson speaks to students and community members at the 58th Boyles Distinguished Lecture in 2016.
“Paul’s support of entrepreneurship at Appalachian was never about personal recognition,” said Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Will Sears “It has been about creating opportunities that would bring lasting and measurable impact to others and benefit students for generations.”
More than a name
In January 2027, the Transportation Insight brand will leave the Center for Entrepreneurship as it begins a new chapter. When the center was named for Transportation Insight in 2007, the agreement was established as a term-limited naming, allowing for future opportunities for investment in the center and its future.
"Paul understood something that few donors think about when the naming of a space is established," said Sears. "His goal was never simply to have his name on a space in a building. His goal was to create a platform for student success. As the center turns the page next year, there is the potential for a new naming opportunity, an opportunity that is in itself a part of Paul's legacy.”
Dr. Randy Edwards, Dr. Heather Dixon, Paul Thompson and Dr. Ken Peacock break ground on a new space for the center in 2012.
Thompson helped build a strong foundation for entrepreneurship at Appalachian, and he created a pathway for others to build upon it.
“Appalachian State University and the Walker College of Business offer our deepest gratitude to Paul Thompson for his decades of support,” noted Vannoy. “His legacy will forever inspire future entrepreneurs to dream boldly.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, including more than 4,500 undergraduates across 11 majors, the Walker College of Business has the highest full-time undergraduate enrollment in the University of North Carolina System. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more about App State’s Walker College of Business at https://business.appstate.edu.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Appalachian State University houses three offices, a student lounge, a meeting area and incubator office space.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Appalachian State University houses three offices, a student lounge, a meeting area and incubator office space.