DOUG THOMPSON
In 1967, at 12 years of age, both little Doug Thompson and his parents; Wofford and Jeannie, were shocked one night when they received a phone call about Doug’s Science Fair project. The teacher stated that Doug was being kicked out of the 6th grade Science Fair! West Ward Elementary of McKinney, Texas insisted to Mr. & Mrs. Thompson that there was absolutely no way Doug could have constructed this project on his own.
With absolutely no assistance from his father or mother, it was then that they knew; Doug had the mind of an engineer. The project would have won first place, clearly! Doug was upset that his entrée would not even be considered. He had created a life sized game in which you attempt to match a US state, and its capital. Each US state had a nail, and the capitals listed on the opposite side of the board with a nail of their own. When you touched the corresponding state and capital nail you were then awarded with a “buzzzzz” and a red victory light…With such a challenging electronic engineering aspect as well as a game that promotes learning with repetition and fun; you can see how they would question the authenticity of Doug’s 6th grade Science Fair entrée.
After school, Doug continued with his love for electronics and engineering and began a career working for Texas Power and Light Company on a co-op program through college. His 25 year relationship with TP&L was a grand one, retiring with TP&L’s transformed company, TXU in 1999.
By this time, Doug had a lot going on. With a growing family of three children, Chris, Courtney and Ashley; Doug and wife Rochelle had their hands full! Not only with three children, but also two full time jobs, another full time duty at FBC McKinney as their lead A/V engineer, and their own audio/visual business, Sound Ideas, was taking off.
Doug established Sound Ideas Recording Studio in 1989, serving the church and small business communities in North Texas. In the early and mid 1990s the business was expanded to include audio rental inventory and engineering support for corporate event clients.
In 1995, Sound Ideas Recording Studio moved to a new, state of the art facility designed by renowned studio designer Russ Burger. At this time, the corporate event services business segment was expanded to include video inventory and engineering support.
With over 20 years in business and a focus on event production specializing in corporate meetings and events; Sound Ideas and Sound Ideas Production Group, Inc., sets its sights not only on its own maximum growth potential, but helping its clients achieve the same, one event at a time.
Presently, Doug and Rochelle Thompson reside in their home in Carrollton, Texas. Their 3 adult children have stayed close in the DFW area. Doug and Rochelle are blessed with one grandchild, Aleigha Marie Thompson, Christopher’s precious daughter, born in 2002.