CENTER GLASS

Center Glass Company was founded in 1963 by Jackson's father, Fred R. Witte, only a few blocks away from its current site on El Cajon Boulevard. At first, Center Glass bid on small jobs and scrambled for capital, like most start-up ventures. In the 1970s, however, the company jumped into a higher-profile position... Center's management team learned that it is far easier to do one large job than 20 small jobs for equal revenues. Center Glass found its niche as a small company that could deliver on big projects. Annual earnings for 1998 were $13 million.

Also known as: Center Glass Company