Thompson established Crown's first operation in 1965. Thompson was living in Japan at the time and recognized the need for an international moving service. With only US$1,000 in his bank account, he established Transport Services International in Yokohama. In 1970, the company expanded into Hong Kong and thereafter into other Asia Pacific locations. In 1975, Transport Services International became Crown Pacific, and by the early 1980s was established as the leading moving company in Asia. In later years, offices were established across America, Australasia and Europe, and the company was renamed Crown Worldwide Group. Thompson was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star, which is presented to eminent persons in Hong Kong who have given distinguished service to the community or who have rendered public or voluntary service of a very high degree of merit.
Organizations and charity work
Following the opening of Crown’s facility in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thompson and his wife Sally traveled to the region, where it was brought to their attention that the village of Proa Chum needed a school. Thompson contacted the Cambodian government and agreed to provide the funds for a school, requesting that it be named in his mother's honor. Early in 2008, Thompson announced the official opening of the Hun Sen Proa Chum Primary School in Phnom Penh.
Thompson is a member of the International Advisory Board of the San Jose State University Business School and serves as the chairman of HKTDC Logistics Services Advisory Committee. He also served as a board member of Ocean Park Corporation for six years, a nature-themed amusement park with a mission to assist in the understanding and practice of wildlife conservation. Although Thompson retired from this post in June 2009, Crown continues to support Ocean Park through a variety of charitable activities and services. Thompson is also a non-executive director of the board of The Wharf, a member of the Investment Promotion Ambassador Scheme, as well as the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Advisory Board and the ICAC Advisory Committee on Corruption. He also served two terms as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong from 2002–2003. Additionally, Thompson serves as a member of the Hong Kong Forum and Vision 2047 which are organizations that actively discuss Hong Kong issues with visiting politicians, journalists and academics. He is also a member of the board of the Hong Kong-America Centre and has been a delegate representing Hong Kong on numerous Hong Kong Trade Development Council trade missions around the world. Thompson is a member of the Executive Committee of the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, is an advisory board member of The Salvation Army and a trustee of Outward Bound Hong Kong. He currently chairs the annual Hike for Hospice charity event. Thompson and his wife, Sally, are also very active in the Changing Young Lives Foundation and have chaired and organized several fund raising events. Formerly known as Save the Children Hong Kong, Changing Young Lives is a long-established charity organization based in Hong Kong, with a focus on helping children.
Personal life
While he retained his U.S. citizenship, Thompson is a permanent resident of Hong Kong, where he has lived since 1978 with his wife Sally, who is a British national. Thompson's daughter Jennifer serves as Crown's regional managing director of North America. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children. Thompson also has a son, James Jr., who lives in Beijing, China, with his wife and young daughter.
