At Cargo Transporters, family legacy is more than history—it’s the foundation of who we are. For nearly 60 years, two families—the Browns and the Popes—have helped shape the company from the ground up. Today, that legacy continues with Jackson Brown and Matthew Early, the newest generation to step into active roles at Cargo.
The Pope family legacy also remains strong. John Pope, Chairman of Cargo Transporters and son of co-founder Tony Pope, grandson of co-founder Forrest Pope, along with his cousin Michael Pope, Operations Specialist and son of Charles Pope, grandson of co-founder Forrest Pope, still carry on that legacy today through their leadership and service within the company.
“Myself and Michael started working at the same time. We both began working in the shop and washing trucks,” says John Pope. “We would come over after school and on weekends to help with various duties. Over the years, we transitioned into higher roles. Seeing Jackson and Matthew involved is exciting but also emotional. Knowing the legacy they carry forward from their Great Grandfather Jack and Grandfathers Doug and Ronny is really amazing,” says John Pope.
As the most recent Browns to join the team, Jackson and Matthew aren’t just carrying on a name—they’re helping write the next chapter with energy, commitment, and pride.
Carrying the Legacy Forward: Jackson Brown and Matthew Early
Jackson Brown, son of Shawn Brown (Vice President of Safety), is the eldest of the fourth generation to join Cargo Transporters and has been contributing to the company for several years. A 2024 graduate of Bunker Hill High School, Jackson is currently enrolled in a transfer program at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC), with plans to pursue a degree in Business and Finance at a four-year university in the future.
This marks Jackson’s fourth consecutive summer working at Cargo Transporters. Over the years, he has supported various departments—but his primary contributions have been in and around the Body Shop and Garage, where he assists with hands-on tasks and helps keep essential operations running smoothly.
A former track and cross-country letterman, Jackson is passionate about cars, fishing, and the outdoors, and values the blend of practical experience and family legacy that his role at Cargo offers.
“Carrying on the legacy of my family is an honor,” Jackson shared. “I’ve grown up hearing about this company and watching my family shape it. Being a part of it myself is incredibly meaningful.”
Matthew Early, son of Leah Brown, began working part-time at Cargo in July 2024 and transitioned to full-time work in the Body Shop on July 24, 2025. A 2025 graduate of Bunker Hill High School, Matthew excelled both academically and athletically—lettering in baseball and earning technical certifications in Welding and Electrical Systems from CVCC while still enrolled as a high school student.
He plans to return to CVCC in the near future to complete his Photovoltaic Technician certificate, a move that reflects his interest in hands-on, future-forward trades.
Outside of work, Matthew is deeply involved in his church and youth group, and enjoys fishing and playing pickleball in his free time.
“It’s an honor to be part of something that my family started,” said Early. “Being here is more than a job—it’s part of who I am.”
A Legacy That Lives Across the Organization
Cargo Transporters has been family-built from the very beginning. The company’s roots run deep—shaped by its founding figures and their commitment to community and service. In the mid-1960s, Jack Brown, Forrest Pope. Tony Pope and Charles Pope purchased what was then Catawba Rental Company, Inc in Claremont, North Carolina. Their leadership and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for what would become a thriving, respected name in transportation.
Reflecting on those early days, Jack Brown once shared, “We just wanted to create something that served the people—something we could be proud of.” That sense of responsibility and integrity became the cornerstone of Cargo’s culture. He also said, “We didn’t have a big plan, but we had big values. That’s what carried us forward.”
That legacy was carried forward by the second generation, including Doug Brown, who today serves as Chief Financial Officer. His leadership has guided Cargo Transporters through decades of growth, helping the company evolve while preserving the family-centered values it was built on. Reflecting on the early years, Doug shared:
“I was just a freshman in high school when I started work on the day after the company was founded. Seven years later I was married, and two years after that Jill and I welcomed our first son (Shawn) into the world. It was then that I began to wonder if our children might one day join me in the family business.”
Now, with his grandchildren stepping into roles of their own, that hope has become reality—solidifying a multigenerational legacy that continues to grow.
Another key figure in the second generation was Ronny Brown, who served as Director of Maintenance. Ronny brought deep technical knowledge and a strong work ethic to the role, helping to build and maintain a fleet that Cargo drivers and customers could rely on every day.
His legacy is felt not only in the strength of the fleet but in the memories he left with those closest to him. His daughter, Leah Brown—now part of the third generation working at Cargo—recalls:
“I have so many memories of my Dad being with Cargo. From growing up listening to him take breakdown calls after hours to being able to go out to the shop just to visit. Listening to he and my Granddaddy sit around and tell old stories was the best. I was fortunate to be so close to him over the years. One of my fondest memories had to be his retirement party. Seeing all the people that came to celebrate him and hearing them tell stories about how he helped them over the years really touched me.”
The third generation continues to shape the company’s daily operations and strategic direction. Shawn Brown, Doug’s oldest son, leads as Vice President of Safety, upholding Cargo’s longstanding commitment to operational excellence and the well-being of its drivers and staff. Reflecting on his son’s time at the company, Shawn shared:
“I am extremely proud of Jackson—not just for the sheer fact of working here, but for all the skills that he has learned over the last three years while working in the Body Shop and Wash Bay. He’s learned, grown, and matured through the influences here at the company.”
His brother, Patrick Brown, serves as Vice President of Information Technology, managing and modernizing the systems that support Cargo’s coast-to-coast operations. Their cousin, Leah Brown, who works in the Safety Department, contributes her knowledge and consistency to key compliance and training efforts. Speaking about her son, she said:
“I could not be any prouder to see Matthew here, continuing on our family’s legacy. My dad is so proud to know that he is here, and I KNOW my granddaddy would have been so excited. It was always his plan to have something to leave for the next generations, and I’m glad to see Matthew wanting to be a part.”
Now, the fourth generation—Matthew Early and Jackson Brown—has stepped in to write the next chapter. Whether it’s Matthew’s technical skills in welding and electrical systems or Jackson’s early experiences in business and operations, their arrival marks not just a continuation of the family name, but an expansion of its impact. Their energy, curiosity, and commitment to the company’s core values reflect how far the Browns have come—and where Cargo is headed next.
Moving Forward, Rooted in Family
“With those of us from the two families still involved, it means that we will continue our support of our employees and those in our community. We have always given back to those that have helped make us successful and to those organizations in the community which do so many good things. Its an exciting time!” said John Pope
As Cargo Transporters approaches its 60th anniversary, the continued involvement of both the Brown and Pope families stands as a testament to the values of hard work, loyalty, and purpose.
With leaders like John and Michael Pope and the next generation—Jackson Brown and Matthew Early—actively contributing to the company’s success, the future of Cargo remains grounded in tradition while looking toward progress.
Cargo Transporters remains committed to growing its team, strengthening its operations, and supporting the next generation of transportation professionals—especially when they come from right here at home.
