Jim Matney
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Jim Matney Buyer/Listing Specialist Contact Information Office: (979) 693-3700 Cell: (979)574-9186 Fax: (979) 696-0234 E-mail: jim@equitybcs.com |
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I was born in Paris, Texas but grew up in Hooks, Texas. Hooks is a small, northeast Texas town with a population of about 3,000 people. The economy there is centered around Red River Army Depot that is about 18 miles west of Texarkana. My dad worked there for 40 years, and my mom was a housewife and stay-at-home mother who raised 10 children, including myself. I am the third oldest of the bunch which is made up of 5 boys and 5 girls.
During my childhood, we had chores to do before school and after: chickens to feed, eggs to gather, cows to milk, hogs to feed, fences to mend, gardens to work and harvest, etc. My dad was a "truck farmer;" we had 2 acres of garden on which we raised produce to sell to the locals. We would also go to local orchards and pick peaches or to tomato fields and sell all of this fresh produce.
I attended school (elementary through high school) in the Hooks School District. When I was 10 years old, I got my very first job was setting up bowling pins at a local bowling alley. I got excited about football in 7th grade and played for the next 5 years. I was never a real talent, but I did get a starting position my sophomore year. My second job, at age 15, was as a truck stop attendant; I lived at the truck stop that summer. It was my first time away from home. For my third job I worked in a dairy for only three days—the cutting horse and I had a major clash of personalities. I was a member of the Boy Scouts in grades 7, 8 and 9 and eventually gained Eagle Scout status.
My next job was in a supermarket as a bagger/stocker, and I spent a couple of years as a station attendant in a full service gas station. In high school, I hauled hay at night for 2 cents a bale. After graduation, I attended Texarkana Community College. I didn’t get a degree, but I was studying business management. The supermarket industry moved me in this direction. I worked with the same company, Brookshire Bros, for 14 years before moving on to H.E.B. for 8 years. I have been a produce manager for 32 years.
For years I was looking for something to do when I retired. I didn’t want to quit working so I decided to search for something less physically demanding. One of my friends encouraged me to look into the Real Estate industry. I like helping people, and Real Estate is definitely a "people business." I have a strong belief in investing in people because it has a great return; people are America's greatest resource. I looked for months for a company that had the experience and training to help me make the transition. Equity Real Estate has both. I finally found a company that I could grow with—a real home.
My dad has been one of the biggest influences in my life, even after having passed away. He was always working and didn't spend much time with us, but he taught me the value of hard work and honesty. He only had a 3rd grade education, but he taught me 3 things that I have since taught to my own boys and every young man that has ever worked with me: (1) Stand straight, look a man in the eye, let your "yes" mean yes and your "no" mean no, (2) Find a job you like because you will be doing it for 40 years, and (3) If you give a man your word, make it happen even if it costs you money, and the next time you will make a better decision.
A little bit about me? My favorite sport would have to be football; I have been a fan of the Dallas Cowboys since 1968. I love westerns, '50s rock and roll, and country/western music. I am widowed and have two boys and a stepdaughter along with a grandson who is 12 years old. I am a member of the Christway Baptist Church in Bryan, TX and attend services regularly. My hero is John Wayne—he was a man of honor, truth and spiritual depth.
My business goals are to be in the top 5% of profit and budgets set forth by my company and to help my company continue to grow. My personal goals are to have the time and money to travel to old west towns—Dodge City, Tombstone, Little Big Horn—and to visit ghost towns, Indian Reservations, and old forts.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to His purpose." (ROMANS 8:28)