LC Alumni Spotlight: James Roy “JR” Rodgers — From Black and Gold to CEO and Beyond
Class of 2014 | School Board Member | CEO | Crane Supervisor | Entrepreneur | LC4L
If you have spent any time around Leverett’s Chapel, you already know James Roy Rodgers, but around here we just call him JR. If you do not know him yet, do not worry, he will be happy to tell you all about himself. All joking aside, JR is a proud LC Lion who has made his mark in many ways.
From student-athlete to School Board Member, from business owner to crane and rigging supervisor, JR has built a life defined by grit, hard work, and fearless determination. He has never been afraid to take a risk, try something new, or chase a challenge. Through it all, he has stayed rooted in the values that were shaped right here in the Black and Gold.
Hustle Started Early
While still a junior at LC, JR launched Texas East Trucking in 2013. By the time he graduated in 2014, he had already built a fleet of trucks, including three one-tons, a gooseneck, and a winch truck. At just 17, he was managing a business while balancing school and athletics.
When the oilfield market took a downturn in 2015, JR made a strategic decision to sell his equipment to protect his future. That early business savvy set the tone for a career built on adaptability and strong instincts.
A Career That Has Seen It All
After attending Crisis Response International training in Las Vegas with a focus on counterterrorism and personal security, JR explored security work before shifting into crane rigging in West Texas. He earned his credentials as an Operating Engineer and soon found himself running some of the most challenging jobs in the region.
In late 2019, JR returned home to take over the family business as acting CEO. He did not just lead from the office; he got his hands dirty, handling HR, payroll, operations, and equipment repair. He believes everyone should be able to do every job.
After the business was sold in early 2022, JR launched a construction company and then moved into trucking logistics with his venture, 7 R Services. Along the way, he joined Nabors Drilling USA, where in just six months he advanced from floorhand to driller and later worked on Nabors R801, the first fully automated land drilling rig in the United States.
That work led to an opportunity as a technical trainer, flying across the country to teach others how to operate automated drilling systems. While he appreciated the role, JR realized he missed the hands-on work. In the fall of 2023, he accepted a position as Crane and Rigging Supervisor with Triple B Crane, where he continues to lead with skill and determination.
Through It All: Family First
Every step of the way, JR credits his wife as his partner. He says, “She has been through every move, job shift, and startup. Always helping, always steady. I would not be doing any of this without her.”
In his downtime, JR remains the same person the community has always known: spending time with his wife and children, tinkering with anything that has a motor, and roaming the woods. His life motto sums it up: “Life is a gamble, so roll the dice.”
Built on LC
JR’s journey shows exactly what we believe at Leverett’s Chapel. You do not need to come from a big place to do big things. He has taken lessons learned at a small school, turned them into bold ambitions, and built a future with fearless hands and a full heart.
JR, we are proud of you. Not only for what you have built, but for the way you have remained grounded in who you are and where you are from. Your journey reflects the best of LC.
To the LC community, please share this spotlight and tag other alumni who are making a difference. Let us continue celebrating those who carry our Black and Gold legacy forward.
Know someone who should be featured next?
Email: meverett@leverettschapelisd.net
Cell: 903-808-0182
Small school. Big dreams. Bold futures.
It is not where you start, it is where you are going.