Trans-Matic CEO receives Visionary Award for leadership

P.J. Thompson has never worked for recognition. The CEO of Trans-Matic says his first award is unexpected and special because it comes after many years of giving his time, support, and leadership to the Lakeshore region.

Thompson is the recipient of the 2026 Lakeshore Advantage Visionary Award, given to leaders who demonstrate bold thinking, build collaboration, and generate long-term community impact. 

Thompson will be recognized during the Lakeshore Advantage annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville.

“I’m really grateful, just really, really thankful for it,” Thompson says. “I’ve never received an award before. It’s kind of nice that it comes from Lakeshore Advantage.”

Served several local causes

Under Thompson’s direction, Trans-Matic has grown into a global leader in deep-draw metal stamping, employing more than 200 people in Holland while expanding operations into China and Mexico. But Thompson’s impact locally extends well beyond business.

“We’re not one of the big families,” he says, “but we give to a lot of different things. We try to measure our gifts so they’re impactful across a broad range of causes.”

The Thompson family has supported projects that include the Holland Ice Park, Holland Civic Center, Holland Aquatic Center expansion, and multiple Lakeshore Advantage initiatives, including the Next Center and the Powering Our Future growth plan.

“Our region’s momentum is fueled by leaders who think boldly, act generously, and invest deeply in the future of our communities,” says Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “P.J. embodies that spirit in every way.”

Thompson also contributes time and expertise. He serves as chairman of the Holland Board of Public Works, the public utility. 

He credits much of his mindset to lessons learned from his father.

“My dad always had a mind for the community,” Thompson says. “He wanted to help out. What’s different now is that organizations like Lakeshore Advantage make it easier to connect people and actually make things happen.”

Constructive efforts

That connective role is central to the Visionary Award’s focus on solutions – not just identifying challenges, but building systems that address them. Thompson points to Lakeshore Advantage’s ability to convene leaders around workforce, energy, and economic development issues as a key reason the region continues to move forward.

“At some point, criticism just becomes noise,” he says. “You’ve got to start putting things together and making things happen, and we’re good at that here.”

For a leader accustomed to working behind the scenes, the recognition may have been a long time coming. But Thompson says it reinforces his continued investment in the region.

“That kind of affirmation motivates me to keep doing it,” he says.

Lakeshore Advantage’s annual meeting is the organization’s annual report to investors and partners on regional economic progress. More information and registration details are available at lakeshoreadvantage.com/events/.