TWO MEN AND A TRUCK delivers on core purpose of ‘moving people forward’ with new CEO
On the heels of 57 consecutive months of revenue growth, CFO Jeff Wesley promoted.
Jeff Wesley was officially handed the keys to the truck, as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® announced his promotion from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Executive Officer. The promotion maintains the brand’s core purpose of Moving People Forward®. Wesley spent seven and half years in his previous role.
“I greatly appreciate the faith that the family (founder, Mary Ellen Sheets, as well as board members Brig Sorber, Jon Sorber and Melanie Bergeron) has given me and the belief that I am the right leader for this role,” Wesley commented. “I am fired up to continue the momentum the team has built and find many more wins for this great company with the team I am blessed to have.”
To pave way for Wesley’s promotion, Brig Sorber, one of the original men drawn into the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® logo, is vacating the CEO position he held for the last six years. Brig’s career was also characterized by promotion within the system, as he started as the first mover turned franchisee turned corporate leader in various roles before becoming CEO.
“When I first took over as CEO, it was my job to make some tough decisions in order to create a positive pathway,” Brig said, who is transitioning to a role on the Board of Directors. “I had to turn the company from a family-run business to a professional corporation. To do so, I had to bring in new talent and let many people go during the transition. At the time, we didn’t have much operating capital, but we paid out severance so that the previous team would be taken care of. It was important to me to do the right thing. I prayed that even though it was going to make for a rough beginning, by doing the right thing, good things would happen in the end. And they have. Now, we are in a prime position to hand over the reins to the next leader who will keep improving the company and guide the next steps in our journey toward greatness.”
In 2015, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® continued its positive pathway with record consecutive monthly growth dating back to December 2009. The company has shown 57 consecutive months of record growth and will end 2015 with more than $400,000 million in annual revenue. Even with a majority of the last 20 months boasting double-digit increases, Wesley said he fully expects more big moments in 2016, including plans to exceed 10,000 team members.
“Ralph Waldo Emerson said this is to have success: to laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have success,” Wesley emphasised. “That quote is so important to me, and it has been on my desk for more than 25 years, helping guide my career. In this new role working with our team, in some ways, this goal remains, and I question ‘what can we do more to impact others’ lives?’ Our culture, our family and our leadership team will continue to lead success for the benefit of our customers, our franchisees and our communities.”
Many within the 185 member TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® corporate office have moved up the ranks, earning their promotions through hard work and loyalty. Wesley’s executive team of climbers includes Randy Shacka, President, who started at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® as an intern, eventually moving into roles that include Franchise Development Strategist, Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, Chief Development Officer and Chief Operating Officer; and Jon Nobis, Chief Operating Officer, who started as Chief Information Officer.
“All of our leaders are mentors and have been open to listening and learning from each other,” Sorber said, noting that five of the seven current director positions are held by people who were promoted from within. “This practice is celebrated in every area of our company, both corporately and among our franchisees. The fact that people can work hard and move up is something that makes us proud. We are focused on cultivating great talent from within and continuing to help lead our team into leadership positions at all levels in our company.”
As TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® turns its attention toward a successful 2016, the brand celebrated some other key highlights from Q4 2015, including founder Mary Ellen’s Moving People Forward® Scholarship. The scholarship’s inaugural winner became a franchisee, and the first runner-up signed for a location. In addition, the company secured market expansion in California and Oregon and signed a large multi-unit agreement that includes three Florida locations and one in Arizona.
“I have great peace with my decision to take on a new role and allow Jeff to take charge. The time is now for Jeff to take control of the company. He has earned it. His vision and leadership is perfectly fit to take over the reins and continue to make our organization the best company possible,” Sorber added. “Jeff now has a chance to build a great legacy. I have challenged him to not only challenge the business but to challenge himself to find and develop his team, just as I did. If we are constantly working together as a team to groom the next leader, we will continue to maintain the values essential to creating a strong company.”
With 330 national locations and 24 international locations, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® continues its expansion in the global market by introducing innovative technology system-wide, improving existing operational systems, and employing passionate staff throughout the growing franchise network.
