Veteran-Run Junk Removal Service Comes To Portland

CLACKAMAS, OR — Matthew Calhoun's sense of service has taken him from active military duty, where he served as an officer in the U.S. Army and National Guard for more than 20 years, to Clackamas County, where he now runs the local JDog Junk Removal franchise — the first in Oregon.

Run by and exclusively employing U.S. veterans, JDog Junk Removal is a national junk removal and hauling service currently operating in 35 states. Calhoun, a retired lieutenant colonel, opened his franchise around two months ago but celebrated his grand opening last week.

“JDog was created by a veteran for veterans and veteran family members — that’s what attracted me to investing in a JDog franchise,” Calhoun said. “The values and leadership skills we learn in the military perfectly align with what’s needed in business today. Veterans face any number of obstacles when returning to civilian life. JDog gives us a natural path to make an immediate impact on the community, while building a business and hiring other vets."

The son of a career Army officer, Calhoun spent his 20-plus years of service leading troops; from deserts in the Middle East to the post Hurricane Katrina-flooded streets of New Orleans, Calhoun made a life for himself and his family by training and organizing other people.

Now the owner of a business franchise, Calhoun believes his military skills will serve him well.

"A lot of military jobs can translate into running a business," he told Patch recently. "But there's definitely a detailed level of business experience I'm learning now."

Across the country, more than 400 veterans in 100 territories work for JDog franchises. A $3.8 billion industry, JDog Junk Removal doesn't aim to just clear a space and transport the material to a landfill. Franchisees, like Calhoun, try to repurpose and recycle everything they can — and sometimes even donate items that might still be usable.

In 2017, JDog franchises "recycled more than 20,000 tons of junk, and salvaged millions of dollars of product for donation, resale, and reuse," company officials declared in a statement.

So far, Calhoun has overseen 45 jobs in the greater Portland metro area, which he's either worked alone or with help from a veteran hired through a local staffing agency. As his business grows, Calhoun expects he'll bring on more veterans with the ultimate hope of one-day running 27 trucks with two-person crews each across the region.

“Veterans represent the greatest talent pool available to our country. They come trained and ready. Disciplined and committed. They understand hard work and are ready to serve," JDog Founder and CEO Jerry Flanagan said. "Matthew and his wife, Jennifer, embody all that’s great in the men and women of the armed services and will make a profound difference in Portland as they have through their service to our country."

As the only current franchisee in Oregon, Calhoun can take jobs anywhere he's needed, he said, though he mostly operates in the South Portland area around Clackamas and Milwaukie.

Following his grand opening, Calhoun hopes to see more customers choose his services over other junk removal and cleaning providers because "the person who hires us is supporting veterans — keeping them on stable ground," he said.

"Our prices are definitely at or below most competitors," Calhoun said. "But on top of that, you're getting veterans. So, even though the company is junk removal, we're not going to treat our clients stuff like junk."

Adhering to the JDog mantra of "Dignity, Integrity, and Trust," Calhoun believes military veterans working in a civilian capacity provide something other companies without veteran employees can't: a higher sense of service.

"Our sense of service continues after the military," he explained. "We're always trying to give back, and not just take, take, take."

Unless, of course, you want them to take — your junk, that is.

To schedule a pickup with Calhoun, call 971-444-5364 or visit the South Portland JDog Junk Removal website for more information.

Top photo: Matthew and Jennifer Calhoun, JDog Junk Removal South Portland / via Gina Roche, Canterbury's Courtly Creations