Atlantic Intermodal Services

Mark George has long-haul career in transportation with IMC

From the Memphis Business Journal

George was born and raised in Franklin, Tenn. In 1982, he and his wife, Melinda, moved to Memphis to start Intermodal Cartage Co. Since then, George has watched the transportation and logistics industry develop and worked to position his company ahead of the growth curve. George founded IMC Companies LLC in 2009 and currently serves as chairman of the group. What started with one truck and one driver has grown to more than 750 trucks, 125 maintenance and repair vehicles and more than 1,000 employees across the country. He and Melinda have been married for 29 years and have four children.

First job: The only job I’ve ever had is Intermodal Cartage Co.

Education: Attended undergraduate school at the University of Memphis

Residence: Memphis

Business philosophy: What gets measured gets managed

Best way to keep competitive edge: Continually reinvest in your business

Guiding principle: Stay focused

Yardstick of success: When I see people who work for me succeed and become owners of and leaders of their organizations

Goal yet to be achieved: To surpass $1 billion in annual sales

Best business decision: At age 21, deciding that international shipments would be my total career focus

Worst business decision: Worst business decision sounds catastrophic. I guess I’m lucky and I can’t think of any “worst business decision” that I’ve made.

Toughest business decision: Terminating an employee who was putting in effort, but simply didn’t have the skill set to succeed in this industry.

Biggest missed opportunity: Not taking the IMC brand national sooner. We have been a national player for some time, but remained under the radar until recently.

Mentor: My father

Word that best describes you: Opportunist

Like best about job: Making money

Like least about job: Losing money

Pet peeve: Sloppy work environment

Most important lesson learned: Relationships are key. Treat people the way you expect to be treated.

Person most interested in meeting: God

Most respected competitor: Container Port Group, Cleveland Ohio

Three greatest passions: Family, outdoors, business

First choice for a new career: Airplane pilot

Favorite quote: “The only thing that doesn’t change is changes itself.”

Most influential book: The Bible

Favorite cause: Agape Child & Family Services and the American Heart Association

Favoriate status symbol: My four children

Favorite move: “Shawshank Redemption”

Favoriate restaurant: Mel’s Kitchen

Favorite vacation spot: The Caribbean

What’s on your iPod: Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Bread

Favorite way to spend free time: Hunting, vacationing in the Caribbean and spending time with my wife and children

Automobile: GMC Yukon Denali