Our home base for Gateway CEO is the Training Center at Truck Centers in Troy. Truck Centers is not only a huge supporter of the program with providing a perfect location to meet each day, they also are Legacy investors that have supported our program financially since the very beginning. We are so appreciative for the partnership that helps make Gateway CEO what it is today.
We always enjoy students seeing the 'other side' of Truck Centers, actually the main building and what their location sponsor actually is all about. Students visited with Mike Yates, Co-Chairman and Trevor Yates, Sales leader and Gateway CEO board member in the Legacy Room. Mike has been partners within Truck Centers for the last 50 years. They are a heavy and medium truck dealership with full service parts and repair, collision repair and the Training Center in Troy. There are additional Truck Centers location throughout Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Moving from Highland in the early years to the highway location in Troy makes a huge difference in their success due to proximity for the Trucks.
Today the business is moving into 3rd and 4th generations of leaders within over 760 employees. Mike has shifted his focus from Sales to expansion on the service side. Trevor has grown within Sales within the last 20 years. Truck Centers represents Freightliner®, Western Star, Ottawa, and Detroit performance products in their 12 locations. They have also earned national recognition as the 1990 and 2024 ATD "Dealer of the Year" award recipient.
As Trevor led the discussion and the timeline of the growth of the business, Mike was very candid about some of the tough seasons of recession that required relationships with the right lenders, the right vendors and strong relationships with the right customers to be able to continue to move inventory even when times were lean for everyone. Sometimes it takes a whole lot of faith and the right steps to cut expenses before cutting people. They are definitely a family owned operation that cares deeply for the employees and families they serve. Here are some highlights from the visit:
- Create a culture - What's right for the customer first -- always provides longevity in the business.
- Technology continue to drives innovation in the trucking business. Diesel techs work on as much electronic as well as other parts. Some trucks are actually moving to no mirrors with the development of cameras within the trucks.
- Sometimes all hands have to be on deck to move inventory.
- Service today includes over 66 bays just in the Troy Center with full service locations across three states. The company has expanded into mobile mechanics as well to ensure all clients can be served.
- Over 120 vehicles are running daily with parts to different locations.
- Additional revenues stream with dedicated repairs for drive shafts.
- The mission is to be a one stop shop for truck drivers. They will find free showers, and a lounge for resting
- The is a spirit of excellence the flows from the top down with how the buildings are cared for, the cleanliness and process in the bays, the care for employees with large roomy lounges, gyms and showers.
- The techs are at the core of the business and have a pay structure that allows them to harness expertise and also provide well for their families. Vocational careers are in demand both within this business and across many industries.
- Truck Centers prides themselves on being a multi-generational family business that cares deeply in their communities.
Thank you for being such an amazing partner in this program, both financially and with the ongoing resources provided daily to help this program run!
