Jackson Wingfield’s dad started Wingfield Scale in 1937.  When Jackson was 14-years-old he started working for his dad part-time as a technician. 

    “I had the privilege of working with my father for 27 years,” said Mr. Wingfield.  “He believed in honesty, integrity and hard work.  My dad used to tell the guys to give me the worst jobs.  So I ended up doing things like cleaning out underneath cattle scales.  When I graduated to other tasks I was very thankful!”

    Mr. Wingfield gives his father credit for teaching him the importance of being honest, how to work hard and how to have great relationships with customers and the priority of honoring the Lord at every opportunity.  Now, he is passing that legacy on to two of his sons, Joseph and Jackson, Jr. (aka Stone).

    “Both of us started working for dad when we turned 14,” said Joseph Wingfield.  “Sometimes I didn’t really like being the owner’s son.  The guys would joke and say things like, ‘Yeah, he’s going to be our boss one day.’ One time I got really excited because one of the guys yelled out, ‘Who’s got a driver’s license?’  I raised my hand.  He told me to grab a shovel and a wheelbarrow because we have some work to do.  To say I wasn’t fond of hard work would be an understatement.”

At first the Wingfield boys weren’t convinced that working full-time for their father after graduating from college was what they wanted to do.  Both of them admit to looking at other opportunities, thinking there might be something better on the horizon. 
“It was my dream that they would work with me, but I wasn’t going to push them,” said Mr. Wingfield.       

Ultimately, Joseph and Stone came to the same conclusion.  They really did want to work for their father.  A decade later, the three of them reflect on what that has been like and the lessons they have learned.

“Like any relationship, it takes effort to make it a success,” said Stone.  “I think it is magnified when you are working with your dad and brother.  We have worked hard to be respectful of each other and to establish clear roles and boundaries.  Our Grandfather Wingfield used to say, ‘Anything with more than one head belongs in the zoo.’  We understand that Dad ultimately calls the shots, but we have learned to work well together as a team.”

Joseph actually shares a desk with his father, the same desk that Mr. Wingfield shared with his dad. 

“Sometimes it can be crippling to follow in your father’s shadow,” said Joseph.  “I think both of us consider it a gift to have a father who is a great teacher and someone we are honored to follow.  I remember someone describing my father as a prince of a man and that couldn’t be more true.  Dad has taught us to have confidence, to be fearless and to have a sense of adventure about life.” 

The Wingfields agree that they work hard and play hard because Dad has taught them over the years that hard work toward the success of the business is important, but being a success in God’s eyes is the first priority.

“Many of my friends are surprised that I would want to spend all day Saturday with my Dad when I work with him all week,” said Stone.  “My Dad is not only my boss, he is my father and friend.  All three of those facets of the relationship get separate and equal time.”

Jackson Wingfield will tell you he is living his dream working side by side with Joseph and Stone.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work with our father,” said Joseph and Stone.  “He has honored his father in the way he runs the business and cares for his family.  In doing that, he is passing the legacy on to us and we are passing it on to our children.  We can’t think of a better Father’s Day gift.”