Alumni Highlight: Aaron Thompson '95

In this interview, Aaron Thompson, a 1995 graduate of Hampton University, discusses his journey from being a Mass Media major focusing on broadcast journalism to becoming the CEO of Oldtown Medical and Dental Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. Thompson emphasizes the importance of networking and being present in one’s current position to achieve success.

Passion, determination, drive, and divine appointment are the keywords to describe the prolific career span of Mr. Aaron Thompson, Hampton Alumnus ’95 (Quintessence II) and CEO of Oldtown Medical and Dental Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Office of Alumni Affairs & Parent Relations took a moment to sit down with Mr. Thompson to discuss his transcendence through space and time to arrive at his predestined location and, more recently, his latest highlight on the cover of the James River Magazine

Thompson’s prolific career began with a pivotal historical feat when he became the first Black drum major in his high school’s history. “I had dreams of being what I thought was the first Black drum major for the University of Michigan; however, my Sunday School teacher, Ruth Jordan, an alumna of Hampton University, was very influential,” said Thompson. Thompson later shares that Mrs. Jordan’s love of Hampton University intrigued him to research Hampton.

Thompson discussed how his career transitioned from working at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to pharmaceutical sales. One day, while working his regular schedule at Enterprise, Thompson had a date with destiny and met JC Trower. When Trower returned the car that Thompson rented him, he asked him if he ever thought about pharmaceutical sales. Thompson laughed and said, “I’m absolutely interested.” Thompson later discovered that Trower was the district manager for a pharmaceutical company, his fraternity brother (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.), and a Hampton alumnus-the perfect ingredients for Thompson’s springboard into his destiny.

Thompson performed so well that he continued to get promotion after promotion and later transcended to working for Pfizer. He is now the CEO of Old Town Medical & Dental Center, serving the Williamsburg community and underserved and underinsured populations. “We are literally the only dental care provider for those on Medicaid, probably within a 50-to-60-mile radius. And so, it is unbelievably refreshing when someone comes in and our dental director changes their smile,” said Thompson.

Hearing his story, we understood why Thompson was selected to be on the cover and feature of James River Magazine. “I had zero idea that I would be on the cover. I thought it would be a one-off eighth of a page or a onepage story in the back of the magazine. That’s what I thought, hands down.” said Thompson.

When asked what motivates Thompson to continue to let his life do the singing, he shared, “I am exceptionally driven, and I want to do well. I want my family to be well.”

In his closing remarks, Thompson emphasizes the importance of networking and leadership to the students. “I promise you hand over fist, it will pay dividends. If you think you’re a leader and nobody’s following you, you’re just taking a walk.”

Thompson shared that he believes he has much more work to do at Old Town and abides by the motto, work in the position you’re currently in; be where your feet are. “Right now, Old Town has my undivided attention,” said Thompson.