1-1 Premeier Issue FINAL PROOF.pdf Mar. 2014 | Page 13

PEOPLE H

By Anora McGaha & Photography by Martha Manning
Ryan married his high-school sweetheart, Jessica, and they have two young girls. Jessica Thorn
is also from Chatham County. “Her family has
been in the county for a long, long time,” Ryan
said. “They have deep roots.”
Together, Ryan and Jessica are the owners of
R&J Transport, Inc. They own their Fedex trucks,
the licenses to the routes, and have contracts
with Fedex to deliver packages. So even though
the brand Fedex is owned by a large corporation, FedEx ground is made up of locally incorporated and managed businesses.
In 2005, they had an opportunity to buy the
rights to the Pittsboro route. He bought his
own truck and things took off from there.
Before long he was buying more routes,
more trucks and hiring more drivers. In
2008 he had the chance to buy the Chapel Route, which before long became two
routes. Several years later in 2012, he
bought the Holly Springs and Apex Routes.
He now has 5 trucks and 5 employees and a
bunch of routes.

Ryan Thorn

H

ave you seen the FedEx Ground trucks
around, delivering to your business
or home? In Pittsboro or Chapel Hill
those are likely to be Ryan Thorn’s trucks; his
trucks, with a FedEx logo. Meet Ryan Thorn.
Born and raised in Silk Hope.

When asked what helps his company
grow and stay strong, Ryan said: the
growth in the local economy; and having
quality employees. “The drivers are local,
they know the area, and the people,” Ryan
added. “Seeing them day after day, they
almost become a friend to you. We aim
for that level of service.”

“Lots of kids wanted to leave Chatham,” Ryan
said. “But not me. I like the county and always wanted to stay.” Ryan finished high
school, started college and realized his heart
wasn’t in it. He wanted to make a living. He
found work locally, doing alright incomewise, when he learned that Fedex Ground
was hiring temp workers. He applied and
nothing’s been the same. He went from temp
to full time and it grew from there.
“The economy is growing in Chatham County,
Orange County and Wake County. Demand for
ground shipping continues to expand,” Ryan
said. With so much business happening on the
Internet, people are increasing the amount of
shipping they do.”

Ryan and his drivers are known for their
friendly and efficient service. H

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Driver Kevin Tyson with Ryan Thorn