Our History
1970
John Roy Thompson founded Thompson Insurance in Clarks Summit, PA, with a vision to provide quality insurance services to his local community. The agency offered a range of products, including Auto, Home, Business, and Life Insurance.
1980s
In 1980, John Roy Thompson expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors by establishing Northeast Messenger Services. This new business catered to the community by providing notary services and completing motor vehicle documents, which were then submitted directly to PennDOT headquarters in Harrisburg, PA, for processing.
1990s
In the early 1990s, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) introduced a pilot program, granting select messenger partners access to its database. This program revolutionized the industry, allowing title and tag agencies to instantly process motor vehicle and driver license transactions. After a rigorous selection process, John Roy Thompson’s business was among the 12 chosen to participate. This marked the beginning of Northeast Title & Tag.
1998
Northeast Title & Tag opened its second location in Scranton, PA, at the Keyser Oak Shopping Center. This expansion was supported by John’s daughter, Maria Thompson, and his cousin, Catherine “Kitty” O’Hara. Together, they grew the company from two locations to 11 sites across Northeast Pennsylvania.
2004
Maria Thompson introduced a new dimension to the business by offering packing and shipping services at all Northeast Title & Tag locations through partnerships with FedEx, UPS, DHL, and USPS.
2008
After dedicating decades to the title and tag industry, John Roy Thompson sold his stake in the business to his daughter Maria Thompson and launched a new venture, Thompson Northeast Insurance, LLC.
2014
Maria’s son and John’s grandson, Joseph Thompson Grasso, joined the family business full-time. Joseph brought a focus on commercial insurance products, which significantly contributed to the agency’s growth.
2019
Leveraging his expertise in working with commercial trucking companies and other for-hire entities, Joseph began assisting businesses with safety and compliance needs. His efforts to help companies navigate Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines led to the creation of DOT Compliance Services—a full-service safety and compliance agency supporting Motor Carriers nationwide.
2020
John Roy Thompson retired fully, selling his remaining stake in Thompson Northeast Insurance to his daughter Maria and grandson Joseph. This transition fulfilled John’s lifelong dream of seeing the business he built to support his family and employees remain within the family and thrive under the next generation's leadership.
2024
Joseph Thompson Grasso acquired Northeast Title & Tag, Inc. from his mother, Maria Thompson, heralding a new chapter for the family business. Building on the legacy of his grandfather John Roy Thompson and his mother Maria, Joseph continues to uphold the company’s core values while adapting to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the industry.
"With over 50 years of experience, 15 locations, and an unwavering commitment to customer service, Northeast Title & Tag and Team Thompson take pride in being a family-owned and operated business. Our mission is to support and value every customer by offering a true ‘one-stop shop’ experience. Whether purchasing insurance, transferring titles and tags, or sending packages, we provide convenience and efficiency, saving our customers time and effort."