Jim Jenkins

According to brothers Jim and Dan Jenkins, the key to running a family business is relying on each other’s strengths. Their father, Ed Jenkins, established southwest Missouri’s oldest truck dealership in 1956. Today, his sons lead Jenkins Diesel Power, Inc. – a full-service dealership and repair shop that sells Western Star trucks.

“Everyone always comments on how well we got along, being in business together,” said Dan, the youngest of the three brothers. “But, we all had different areas of expertise, and that seemed to benefit the company.”

Jim Jenkins, the eldest, is the most mechanically minded of the three, while Dan uses his computer skills to enhance the company’s technology. Their late brother, Joe, had a heart for public relations and community service. Now, Jim and Dan are determined to continue his legacy.

“It’s important to us that Joe is remembered for what he did and the causes he supported,” Jim explained.

Joe, who joined his brothers at Jenkins Diesel after a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, supported a host of nonprofit organizations, including the OTC Foundation. He served on the OTC Foundation Board from 2010 until his death in 2017, though his relationship with the college dates much further back. In 1999, Joe and his brothers established the J.E. (Ed) Jenkins Memorial Scholarship in honor of their father. Fittingly, the endowed gift provides scholarships to students in OTC’s Diesel Program.

While on the OTC Foundation Board, Joe, along with his wife, Pat, created the Joe and Pat Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship supports single mothers and their children in pursuit of a college degree at OTC.

“Joe supported a lot of causes over the years, but he especially loved helping people who were working toward a better education and a brighter future,” Jim said.

In an effort to continue their brother’s philanthropic legacy, Jim and Dan recently matched a gift to OTC in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Their contribution, established through an entity called “Joe’s Bike Shop,” supports the OTC Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund.

“A few years back, Joe created this booklet – called ‘Joe’s Bike Shop’ – on how to run a business,” Jim said. “We thought it would be fitting to give this gift in his honor.”

Jim and Dan’s strengths may differ, but their mindset is the same. They know Jenkins Diesel is supported by the community. And following Joe’s example, they are proud to give back.