OUR FOUNDER

John H. Valentine, Founder and Chairman of Hooks Industrial, proudly served his nation in the US Marine Corps as an infantry officer with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He was medically retired from the Marine Corps as a Captain, after serving four years on active duty.

His decorations include the Bronze Star with combat “V”; the Purple Heart with one Gold Star; the Combat Action Ribbon; the Presidential Unit Citation with Ribbon Bar; the National Defense Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars; the Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross Color Unit Citation; the Republic of Viet Nam Civil Action Unit Citation; and the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal.

John’s military background has had a profound influence on the way we do business. It’s reflected in the duty we feel to our customers and the dedication we pay to our founding principles. It has given us the vision to set great goals and the discipline to achieve them. And it has imbued the company with a can-do, go-the-extra-mile spirit that embraces every customer we’re lucky enough to do business with.