History
1968
Gerald “Jerry” Dearing purchased a licensing agreement from Special Dispatch of Indianapolis. With his partner, Brian Kuntz, they started Special Dispatch of St. Louis. The company was started with 3 used Econoline Fords and a contract with 2 major bus lines to deliver their small amount of freight.
The goal in the early years was to establish a customer base for rush trucking with the motto: “Anything and everything delivered within one hour.” They also wanted to branch out to air freight delivery. Jerry believed that they would meet these goals with honest, hard work and integrity even though they had a lack of capital and experience.
A small unheated warehouse and office was rented and Karen (Jerry’s wife) was hired to handle dispatching and office duties. The first client was KMOX TV, with their very first delivery billed at $4.00.
It did not take long for Special Dispatch’s rush trucking business to grow quickly by reputation and sales efforts. Jerry continued to explore new opportunities and began focusing on retail distribution. He had approached Mr. Eli Mitchell with Limited Brands, but learned that the company was content with their delivery agent. One late night during a snowstorm, Mr. Mitchell called Jerry and informed him that his agent would not unload their truck and requested Special Dispatch’s help. Jerry personally unloaded the truck and made sure all deliveries were on time the next day. A few weeks went by and Jerry had not heard back from the Limited. Jerry picked up the phone and called him back with this simple statement “If we can deliver in a snow storm…we sure as hell can deliver in the sunshine!!!” That was the beginning of Special Dispatch’s relationship within the Retail Distribution Industry.
Over the next 20 years, Special Dispatch St. Louis grew with more retail distribution customers and rush trucking. The expansion into 16 other cities was accomplished with licensing agreements utilizing drivers and owner-operators from the St. Louis operation as owners of the expanded locations.
1980
Jerry sold his interest in St. Louis to Brian Kuntz but retained his licensing in the other 16 cities.
1981
Jerry bought one-half interest in the Atlanta operation and became partners with his brother Thomas E. Dearing. As in the other cities previously established, The Limited, The Gap and American Eagle as well as many other fortune 500 distribution accounts followed.
Special Dispatch Atlanta also became a delivery agent for many airfreight and courier companies such as Sky Courier, Federal Express and Ford Motor Company. At that time expansion was completed into Nashville, Birmingham, Charlotte, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Growth through reputation and confidence in Special Dispatch enabled the cities to thrive.
1988
Jerry expanded his operation to the West Coast and opened Special Dispatch of California with the help of his son, John Dearing.
1990
Jerry sold his interest in the Los Angeles Operation to his son, John Dearing. It had always been his dream to have his sons expand the Special Dispatch name and reputation.
1994
Jerry purchased the shares of his brother, Thomas Dearing, and continued to grow and operate the Atlanta location.
1998
Jerry sold Special Dispatch Atlanta and all other city components with the exception of Special Dispatch Los Angeles. Tom Dearing joined his brother on the West Coast to fulfill Jerry’s dream of having his sons Tom and John work together to carry on the Special Dispatch name.
2000
Jerry Dearing lost his battle to cancer. He will forever be well recognized as a pioneer in the development of the traditional “Pool Delivery Network.” Special Dispatch continues to operate under his list of principles: Be honest; Do the right thing, you will know what it is; Respect others around you; Be positive in everything you do. Special Dispatch is working on setting up a Foundation for Jerry Dearing.
Today
Our business has been solid for over 23 years. Today Special Dispatch of California, Inc. has grown with our excellent reputation and confidence and now services clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Las Vegas.