About
Professional Summary
My mama always said life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you're gonna get. Well, I've gotten quite a lot. I played college football for the University of Alabama. I served in Vietnam and received the Medal of Honor. I played ping pong for the United States of America. I started a shrimp company with my best good friend Bubba's name on it. I invested in some kind of fruit company — Apple, I think — and that worked out pretty good. I ran across America a few times. I'm not a smart man, but I know what hard work is. And I show up every single day. That's about all I have to say about that.
Professional Experience
Career History
A career that defies logic, probability, and most employment laws.
Founder & Chairman
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
Bayou La Batre, Alabama / Nationwide
- Co-founded shrimping enterprise that grew into a multi-million dollar restaurant franchise
- Named company after best good friend Bubba, who had extensive knowledge of shrimp (14 varieties of preparation)
- Grew from one shrimp boat to a fleet, becoming the #1 shrimp company in America
- Featured on the cover of Fortune magazine, which was nice
- Gave half the profits to Bubba's family because a promise is a promise
- Currently serves as Chairman Emeritus — mostly just eats shrimp at the restaurants for free
Cross-Country Runner (Self-Directed)
Self-Employed
Coast to Coast, United States
- Ran across the United States approximately 3.5 times over a 3-year period
- Accumulated a following of several hundred runners who just started following for no particular reason
- Covered an estimated 15,248 miles on foot
- Stopped running one day in the middle of a desert because 'I was pretty tired'
- Accidentally inspired an entire running movement; received zero endorsement deals
International Ping Pong Champion
United States Army / U.S. National Team
Washington, D.C. / Beijing, China
- Represented the United States in diplomatic ping pong mission to China
- Played before the President and received commendation for contribution to international diplomacy
- Endorsed ping pong paddle brand (first and only corporate endorsement)
- Was told this was called 'ping pong diplomacy' — seemed like just ping pong to me
Specialist Four — U.S. Army Infantry
United States Army — 9th Infantry Division
Fort Benning, GA / Vietnam
- Awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire
- Saved multiple platoon members including Lieutenant Dan Taylor
- Received gunshot wound to buttocks during combat operations ('something bit me')
- Promoted through ranks based on exceptional physical endurance and complete lack of fear (or possibly awareness)
- Honorably discharged with full military honors
Running Back — College Football
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Recruited by Coach Bear Bryant after demonstrating exceptional straight-line speed
- Scored multiple touchdowns using a simple but effective strategy: 'Run, Forrest, run'
- Named to the All-American team
- Earned a college degree, which mama said was very important
Early Investor
Apple Inc. (AAPL)
Greenbow, Alabama
- Received early investment in 'some kind of fruit company' from Lieutenant Dan
- Investment has appreciated significantly — 'one less thing to worry about'
- Has never used an iPhone, MacBook, or any Apple product
- Does not understand what the company does but is grateful for the dividends
Skills & Endorsements
Core Competencies
Peak performance in everything physical. Cheerful confusion about everything else.
Recommendations
What Others Say
"Forrest Gump saved my life. I didn't ask him to. In fact, I specifically asked him NOT to. Multiple times. While being carried over his shoulder through a jungle. He did it anyway. That's Forrest. He does what he thinks is right, regardless of whether you want him to, whether it makes sense, or whether it defies every known law of probability. He started a shrimp company in a hurricane and it worked. He invested in Apple by accident and became a millionaire. He is either the luckiest man alive or the universe just likes him. I spent years being angry about that. Now I'm his business partner. He's the best man I know."
Lieutenant Dan Taylor
Business Partner / Fellow Veteran / Eventually Grateful
"Forrest is... [long pause] Forrest is the only person I've ever met who means exactly what he says. There's no subtext. No agenda. No manipulation. He just IS. When he says he loves you, he means it. When he says he'll run across America, he does it. When he says he'll wait for you, he waits. Forever. He is the purest soul in a world that does not deserve him. As a professional reference, I can confirm that he is reliable, honest, and will outwork everyone in any room. He just might not understand what the room is for."
Jenny Curran
Childhood Friend / Soulmate / It's Complicated
"Gump was the finest soldier I ever trained. And I say that because he did EXACTLY what I told him. No questions. No complaints. No independent thinking whatsoever. I said 'assemble this rifle,' and he assembled it faster than anyone in the history of the United States Army. Did he understand what a rifle was for? Unclear. Did it matter? No. Because in the Army, we don't need thinkers. We need doers. And Gump is the doingest doer who ever done did."
Drill Sergeant (Name Withheld)
U.S. Army — Fort Benning
Frequently Asked Questions
What businesses has Forrest Gump founded or invested in?
Forrest Gump founded the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, which grew from a single shrimp boat into a nationwide restaurant franchise. He also became an early investor in Apple Inc. through his business partner Lieutenant Dan, an investment he describes as 'some kind of fruit company.'
What military honors did Forrest Gump receive?
Forrest Gump received the Medal of Honor for rescuing multiple wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire during the Vietnam War. He also received a Purple Heart after being shot in the buttocks during combat operations.
Why did Forrest Gump run across America?
According to his resume, Forrest Gump ran across the United States approximately 3.5 times over a 3-year period. When asked why, he simply said he 'felt like running.' He stopped one day because he was 'pretty tired.' His journey accidentally inspired a nationwide running movement.
"I'm not a smart man, but I know what hard work is."
— Forrest Gump, on his professional philosophy