The Odom Brothers.

• Author: Armstrong, Amy M.
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Junior Achievement Alaska

As children, there never was any amount of doubt that Bill, Jim, and John Odom would work in the family business.

As each of the brothers grew, they took on age-appropriate tasks as assigned by their father, Milt, the founder of what today is The Odom Corporation. Each of the Odom brothers talk fondly of their respective childhoods growing up in Anchorage and working after school and on the weekends at the Odom bottling and distribution facilities.

"I know nothing else other than working in the family business," Bill Odom says with a note of pride derived from the accomplishment of a long-term goal. "It is the same for my brothers. I heard about the family business at the kitchen table, as did my brothers."

Fatherly Mentoring

During the formative years, the plants the Odom brothers worked at were not named after their family namesake. In those days, the Odom Corporation was operating as Anchorage Cold Storage. It was a burgeoning firm coming into its own in step with the city of Anchorage as Milt secured the rights to distribute many beverages and food products to Anchorage retailers. In 1937, Milt inked a deal with Coca-Cola, acquiring franchise rights for only $1. It paved the way for other consumer products that he added to the, liquor, coffee, tea, spices, meats, candy, and other dry goods he was marketing under Odom & Company. In the mid-1970s Milt created The Odom Corporation.

For his sons, the formation of a corporation was another step in the mentoring process their father had begun many years earlier. By the mid-1970s, Bill, Jim, and John were quite used to their father's guiding hand.

"At an early age, my brothers and I were sweeping the floors, washing the trucks, and separating Coca-Cola bottles from the other bottles," Jim says. "Our father always had ideas of how to do things better and more efficiently. He was inspiring."

John as well remembers the inspiration he received from the trio's father. He also remembers the correction he received when mistakes were made.

"I can remember sitting across his desk during meetings. Some were not so comfortable when I was getting reprimanded," John says with a chuckle. Today he knows those moments were aimed at teaching and molding his business capabilities and character. "But my Dad was a tremendous mentor and it was inspirational to be around him and watch him build this company."

That mentoring spirit remains a strong, key element at The Odom Corporation where the three brothers do...