ShopProfile_TheShop
by Paul Morton

Quality Transmission Service, Inc.

Tempe, Arizona
I've mentioned it many times in previous writings, and often in conversations with various people. One of the things I like best about writing for GEARS Magazine is the people I meet who are involved in the industry. Every once in a while there is special significance attached to the meeting. Such is the case in my recent contact with Bob Jones, owner of Quality Transmission Service, Inc., in Tempe, Arizona.

We were led in Bob's direction because of his reputation, and his involvement in vocational training and school-to-work programs. It wasn' t long before I learned just how involved Bob was in many different programs and projects that benefit the transmission industry.

transmission repair Bob Jones was born and reared in the deep south - Jackson, Mississippi. His father founded an automotive trade school after World War II, and Bob grew up in the shop and vocational school environment. He described himself as being a youngster who "loved to take something apart, just to see how it worked." That curious nature, along with its continuous search for answers, would prove to be a large part of his personality.

Bob attended Mississippi State University, pursuing a major in industrial technology. Like many other young people in college, he had no clear goal in mind, but knew the course content was "just right" for him. MSU had a requirement that would have a profound effect on his life: to matriculate, he had to join the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Bob thought that boring holes in the sky in an airplane was better than slogging through mud, so he selected Air Force ROTC.

Following graduation in 1966, Bob entered flight school as a new second lieutenant. It wasn't long before he was off to the Republic of Viet Nam as a back-seater in an F-4 Phantom. A tour in Cam Ranh Bay was his introduction to the war. He returned for a second tour in 1970-1971, this time in the front seat of the "lead sled", flying out of Korat, Thailand. This is where my path and his crossed, even if remotely, and I hope you will allow a brief personal indulgence.

Bob flew what we called a "fast-FAC;" a Forward Air Controller who flew jet fighters, as opposed to those who flew the slower, prop-driven aircraft. Their mission was to direct air strikes in support of ground activity, primarily in the little known but highly volatile war in Laos. I was one of those on the ground who drew direct benefit from their efforts. Though I have no way of knowing if Bob was ever one to answer our occasional call, we operated in the same area at the same time, and were most grateful for his - and their - effort.

Following his second tour in South East Asia, the Air Force transferred Bob to a base outside of Phoenix, Arizona. When a medical condition threatened to permanently ground him in 1975, the fighter-jock decided it was time to look for other challenges.

Bob liked Arizona, and began talking to various business owners about their operations. He found a transmission shop owner who was interested in expanding his operation, and Bob went to work for him for six weeks just to see how he liked the business. He liked it fine, and entered into a partnership with the man. The operation involved a central rebuilding facility that fed rebuilt transmissions to satellite shops for installation. Bob bought land in nearby Tempe, built a shop, and went into business.