NJ Vet Taps Into Logistics Experience For New Business Venture

MOUNT LAUREL TOWNSHIP, NJ — Jose Mercado Jr. runs a fleet of 40 vans and 60 drivers, sending them out on missions to deliver packages for Amazon throughout South Jersey. It’s a fast-paced working environment, and it’s the closest he’s felt to being a Marine since he left the service in 2002.

“The pace is similar,” Mercado, of Mount Laurel, said. “I have 60 drivers, and they all have a job to do. Each day, they go out and get it done. It’s been rewarding to watch it grow.”

Mercado launched Thunderbolt Logistics eight months ago, and since then has seen it grow from 10 employees and five vans to where he is today. His company offers “last mile delivery service” in South Jersey for Amazon. Packages are delivered to a center in Bellmawr, and they deliver them as far north as Mount Holly and as far south as Mays Landing, Mercado said.

Mercado was a logistics officer when he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1994 through 2002. He routinely organized offshore operations for between 35 and 60 Marines, and said his current job brings back great memories of that time.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Mercado tried his hand at various careers, including freight forwarding, software development and even gold mining.

During that time, he felt something was missing. He missed the hands-on environment of the military and logistics, and had always wanted to be an entrepreneur. He just didn’t know how to meet both of those needs.

Then he came across Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program, which helps entrepreneurs build their own companies to help deliver packages for Amazon. Amazon offers up to $10,000 in startup costs for veterans, so Mercado jumped at the opportunity.

“I like to describe it as decentralized leadership,” Mercado said. “Amazon tells me to deliver packages, but they don’t tell me how to do it. They give me the tools to do it and I tackle it, just like in the Marines. And just like in the Marines, I’m held accountable.”

He’s been able to excel in the position. With his company growing quickly, he said he’d like to keep doing it as long as he can. He now said about 10 percent of the people working for him are veterans, including some who want to be police officers, and he’s looking to increase that number.

He’s been recruiting at Fort Dix, and said the type of people attracted to this type of work are can-do type people, like you would find in the service. Anyone interested in applying for a position with Thunderbolt Logistics can do so through an online application on the company’s website.

“At Amazon, we’re constantly looking for hands-on leaders who think big and deliver results for our customers,” an Amazon spokersperson said. “These principles are very familiar to those who have served our country in the armed forces. We’ve committed $1 million towards funding startup costs for military veterans, offering $10,000 reimbursements for qualified candidates to build their own businesses.”

Amazon says logistics experience is not a requirement for getting started in the program, though. For more on the program, visit logistics.amazon.com.