40 Under 40: Todd Rushing, part owner of Rushing Marine Service

Todd M. Rushing

AGE: 35

FAMILY: Wife Julie, sons Colby and Austin

EMPLOYER: Rushing Marine Service LLC

POSITION: Part owner and manager

COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT: Chairman of the board and co-founder of the C.W. Rushing Charitable Trust (501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by our family in memory of my grandfather, Capt. C.W. "Woody" Rushing. We hold an annual golf tournament as our fundraiser, and then distribute the earnings to various charities with the goal of helping disadvantaged women and children); Cub Scout den leader; president of the Apple Creek Presbyterian Memorial Association (established to maintain the historic Apple Creek Church and Cemetery in Pocahontas, Mo. We hold three services per year.); Board of Trustees at New McKendree United Methodist Church; member of United Methodist Men's Club at New McKendree.

HIS TYPICAL DAY:

My work requires me to be out of town quite a bit. When I am not out of town on business, my days usually start early by helping get the kids ready for school and/or the baby sitter. I then proceed to our office in Jackson, where I spend the day working with our awesome staff to meet the needs of our many clients. I then go home to spend the evening with my family. My family is also very busy, so most evenings we are running the kids from one activity to another. My family is truly the joy of my life.

MOST SATISFYING PART OF HIS WORK:

At Rushing Marine Service LLC, we have the opportunity to positively affect the lives of our clients and their employees by helping them do their jobs in a safe manner.

HIS FAVORITE SONG FROM '80s:

"Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi

BIGGEST FIRST-DAY BLOOPER:

This did not happen on my first day, but it was a big mistake. When I was in high school I worked at Val's Upholstery in downtown Jackson. At that time, I was mostly involved in the pick-up and delivery of the furniture. While carrying a "Hide-a-Bed" sofa into the store, the bed part of the sofa popped out and went through the plate glass front window of the store. Thankfully, my boss Val Tuschoff was very forgiving!

MOST EMBARASSING WORK MOMENT:

While working at a client's office in Hennepin, Ill., (about 100 miles southwest of Chicago) I had a kidney stone and nearly passed out on their shop floor. The manager of the facility had to load me into the car and take me to the hospital. This is one of our biggest customers, and they will never let me live it down.