After graduating from high school, Thomas Hjertquist immediately started a career in construction as an apprentice. An accident on the job kept him from returning to “the trade,” he says, so he enrolled in the industrial education program at Purdue. At the urging of friends, he used his educational background and Purdue degree to begin his career outside of the school systems.
In every job Hjertquist has held, he has helped improve his employer’s operations. His resumé highlights several accomplishments, including increased profits, higher employee and customer satisfaction, reduced costs, and more positive safety records.
In his current position as a vice president at Landair Transportation, he is responsible for all asset management processes, from purchasing to disposal.
Hjertquist and his wife are active in their church and community. They also love to travel.
As a parent in a Purdue family, he is excited to prepare his grandchildren for educational pursuits at one of the University’s campuses as well. They received some extra Boilermaker training in 2001 as they all traveled to cheer on the Purdue football team in the Rose Bowl.
Hjertquist and his wife, Linda, reside in Greeneville, Tennessee. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.
This was originally written for the Distinguished Technology Alumni Awards in 2008.