COMPANY HISTORY

Jesse graduated from Uniontown High School in 1968 and joined the US Navy. After serving aboard the USS Yorktown CVS-10 and the USS Independence CVA-62, Jesse was honorably discharged in 1970. When Jesse returned to Uniontown, he worked at Steel Scaffolding and following his mother's wishes, enrolled in college at California University under the GI Bill, which took care of the entire cost of his education. While attending California University and working at Steel Scaffolding, Jesse borrowed 1,000 on a school loan to open a pool hall. The money was used as a down payment to purchase the Gallatin Avenue location from Eli Gabriel, a family friend. Eli was considerate enough to hold the balance for a ten-year note. With no track record, Jesse still feels obligated to Eli for financing the purchase and having faith in him to repay the loan. After 18 months, it became too much working full time and going to college, so Jesse gave notice and left Steel Scaffolding to focus on school and the pool hall.

Jesse then started James Vending in 1973 with a cigarette and game route out of the pool hall location. In 1974 Jesse graduated from California University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. He taught sixth grade for a short time at the Gallatin School before deciding to devote his full attention to the vending business. At that time Jesse serviced and filled the machines himself.

James Vending grew with Jesse extending the building three times and purchasing the building adjoining the original pool hall. He purchased eight game routes through the ten years and became more heavily involved in the full line vending in 1989. The Gabriel Brothers, Inc., Jim and Art Gabriel, and their sons Gibby, Paul, John, Art Jr. and Ron, were very instrumental in the growth of James Vending. They have all been very loyal to Jesse and his company through all the ups and downs over the years. Jesse considers both families in the highest regards!

In January 2007, a life-long dream was realized when Jesse moved the company to its new location at 160 Shady Grove Road. However, on the down side, his loving father, who graciously helped him from the beginning, passed on and never got to enjoy Jesse's new building. Jesse himself, efficiency and safety being his main objectives, designed the building. Without his friend and contractor, W. F. Long, the new building may have got off the ground. Wayne over-extended himself to make the new building as perfect as could be. Jesse will always be grateful and appreciative to Wayne.

At this time Jesse has a fleet of 27 vehicles and 33 employees including his older cousin Harry T. Sisson who was always by his side since the beginning. Harry is an advisor, worker, and all around man who has always been in Jesse's corner. Jesse also values every single one of his employees as if they were his own family.