In-Sink 2.0: Hero’s welcome

Matt Sink

By Matt Sink, CEO
JUNE 2020 – As our nation begins to reopen, the stories of our front line heroes continue to dominate the headlines and newscasts, and rightfully so. Doctors, nurses, medical emergency workers, first responders have risked their lives for the past few months, just as they have for their entire careers. But the Covid-19 pandemic has put an exclamation point on their courageous service.

Throughout the Covid crisis, the entire Mickey team has been working full force to manufacture and repair vehicles that deliver essential products to consumers – like food and water – and ambulance and emergency bodies that get people to the appropriate medical facilities. As Mickey welder Mark Milam put it: ?I still come to work today like I did 6 months ago, only now it?s not just about feeding my family ? we are working to save lives.? See the AEV/Mickey story in this issue of The Spirit.

At Mickey, we have great teammates who bring the 3-D?s to work everyday – desire, dedication and determination. Eighteen percent of Mickey?s full-time employees have been with the company for at least 20 years, and 30% have been here for 10 years or more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average for employee tenure has been stuck at 4.2 years for the past few years. We feature 8 of our 15-year-plus heroes in the ?Milestones? story.

Then there?s Steve McLaughlin, who retired this month after 32 years with Mickey. While I was still in grade school, Steve was busy launching the company?s reconditioning business and, in fact, pioneering an entire industry.

Finally, and sadly, the body and trailer manufacturing industry lost one of its true stars this month with the passing of Mike Tucker, the former President & CEO of Mickey Truck Bodies. Mike joined Mickey in 2018 after 26 years with V.T. Hackney, our biggest competitor. He was the first non-Mickey family member to serve as President of our company, and in his short time here, Mike earned the respect and admiration of every employee because of his expertise, energy, and sincerity. He fought a heroic battle with cancer, and will be dearly missed by everybody who was fortunate enough to know him.