CEO Spotlight

Meet the Boss


On January 15, 2018, Franklin resident Jerry Stump was promoted to president and CEO of Volkert, Inc., previously serving as the firm’s president and chief operating officer (COO). Volkert is an employee-owned infrastructure engineering firm, specializing in transportation, energy, water, and environmental projects. They serve state and federal agencies, local and municipal governments, private industry, and international clients.

With a corporate office in Franklin, Tennessee, Volkert is active in more than 20 states, Washington D.C., and international locations. The firm has completed many transportation and planning projects right here in Williamson County.


Strategic Growth

During Jerry’s time as COO, Volkert grew from a $100 million firm in 2013 to a $180 million firm in 2017. It’s not surprising that he plans to continue this consistent, sustainable growth under his guidance and leadership as CEO.

Volkert’s Franklin office and the headquarters for Volkert Global are co-located in Suite 100 at Two Greenway Centre (302 Innovation Drive).

“Volkert is a great company. As we move forward we will continue to use our history, reputation for quality work, market expertise, and our employees’ talents to our advantage. My approach is not to change things for the sake of changing, but to strategically focus on what we can do better,” Jerry explains over a glass of unsweetened iced tea at Puckett’s Restaurant in downtown Franklin.

“Subtle changes are the right way,” Jerry comments. “One of our challenges will be to continue to grow at the rapid pace we’ve been growing. But just like Williamson County handles growth so well, we will do it in a measured and controlled fashion. We’re not only growing our revenue, but also expanding our geographical reach to the international level. It’s an exciting time for Volkert.”

Jerry is a sincere, eloquent, and passionate advocate for Franklin and Williamson County. “We have loved it here since we moved to Franklin twenty-five years ago,” he says.


School Days

Like many before and since, the Stump family initially came to Williamson County for the high-quality education. “My wife Robin and I came here for the schools because we had young children at the time,” Jerry explains. “What we have found is an outstanding quality of life. The values and culture that we experience outside of our home are consistent with our own. It’s just an amazing place to live—it has the charm of rural, small-town living mixed with the benefits of a larger city. That’s a tough combination to find.”

Jerry understands all too well that that quality of life he so admires and enjoys is a by-product of the city leadership. “Mayor Moore is an outstanding person as well as a great leader,” Jerry says. “County Mayor Anderson is a great leader. Our former mayor was a great leader. We are truly blessed with a lot of great people in city and county government who want to do what’s best for the area.”

Jerry is also a fan of Franklin’s many locally-owned and -operated businesses, such as Puckett’s. “Places like Puckett’s make Franklin authentic and special. Local people who start restaurants and shops do a fantastic job. They add to the appeal of this place for residents and visitors alike,” Jerry comments.

The owner and staff members at Puckett’s are very familiar with Jerry. Not just because he’s a regular customer, but it’s also where he enjoys one of his life passions: music.


Bluegrass Folk

Sam and Jerry, two of the four members of Blue Hollow, play at Puckett’s.

If you’re at Puckett’s on the right night (check their calendar), you may see a four-piece bluegrass band driven by the steady rhythm of a bass-playing CEO named Jerry Stump.

His group, Blue Hollow Bluegrass Band, has been around for about eight years. “Our banjo player, Sam Vance, is also an engineer by day, so he and I are purely playing for enjoyment,” Jerry says. “Our mandolin player and guitar player are both outstanding.

“It’s difficult to keep a group together when you’re playing in and around Music City. I’m an engineer who just plays music for fun, but many bluegrass pickers in this area are pursuing music as their full-time career. I’ve seen a lot of our musicians get their big break and move on. The great thing about being so close to Nashville is that there’s no shortage of extremely talented musicians.”

Jerry started playing seriously a couple of decades ago. “I had the opportunity to start a band with my father in the early ‘90s, and my dad was the mandolin player,” Jerry recalls. “We quickly figured out that I was going to have to give up my own mandolin and learn a new instrument. We were jamming one night at a bluegrass festival and someone had a bass for sale. I bought it right then and there. They showed me a few chords, and that’s how I got started.”


Family Ties

The music was important but perhaps more significant was the fact that playing together in a band allowed for quality father-son time. “It was a very cool way for me and my father to spend some time together,” Jerry states. “We didn’t venture very far. We played private engagements, mostly in Tennessee, but also had the opportunity to play at numerous music festivals. We both had full-time jobs, but we played where we could.”

Jerry was born into a bluegrass-loving family and soon discovered through his own experiences why it’s a special genre. “The bluegrass community is friendly, welcoming, and accessible. It’s easy to meet and talk to artists at festivals and shows,” Jerry explains. “I also had the opportunity to meet some of the best in the business at my father’s friend’s instrument shop. He’s a tremendous instrument maker, crafting fiddles primarily. He made instruments for a lot of people, one of which was John Hartford. We would go to his shop and John would be there, or Earl Scruggs.  It was amazing, really.

“By and large, bluegrass musicians are accepting and helpful. They are more than happy to show you how to play a cool lick or help you get your foot in the door in the industry. It’s similar to the feeling you have living in Franklin and Williamson County—great people helping each other and living their lives with good, traditional values.”

Jerry has no doubt that Franklin is a perfect place for Volkert. “Over the years, I have developed great relationships with local government officials and other clients in the area. It’s rewarding to see Volkert assist our Williamson County clients as they continue to serve this community so well.”