Mike Nash Retires After 50+ Years in the Industry
Half a century. That’s how long Hilldrup Raleigh Vice President and General Manager Mike Nash has worked in the moving and storage
Half a century. That’s how long Hilldrup Raleigh Vice President and General Manager Mike Nash has worked in the moving and storage industry. It’s a feat few can claim. While we know rest and retirement is more than deserved, we will miss his experience, insight and wisdom.
Mike has been with Hilldrup since January of 2021, and under his leadership, our Raleigh office has moved facilities, expanded business lines and clients to focus more on logistics, and built a strong team. We wanted to sit down and hear from him directly about his time in the industry, the changes he’s seen and what he’s most looking forward to in his well-deserved retirement.
Hilldrup: Can you list/detail your history in the industry (when you started, companies you worked for, positions you held)?
Mike Nash: I started working in the business in the summer of 1973 as a driver for Delcher Brothers Moving & Storage in Jacksonville, FL. This was intended to be summer work while I was in college. During the second summer, I learned to drive tractor/trailers and ended up taking a full-time position upon graduation. My first non-driving position was as a dispatcher. in 1975 I became Operations Manager and in 1976 I was promoted to General Manager (GM). I continued at Delcher Brothers until 1977 when I took a sales position with the local Mayflower Agency – Elder Moving & Storage. In 1978, I was promoted to a GM position with Mayflower in Tampa, FL. I continued with Mayflower until 1984 when I took a Sales Position with Suddath Van Lines in Jacksonville. I continued with Suddath and was promoted to GM in Jacksonville. During my tenure with Suddath, I was their top salesperson in 1986 and 1987, GM in Jacksonville, Atlanta and Minneapolis and Senior Vice President of the Western Region. I ended up spending 28 years in the Suddath organization (2X Salesperson of the Year, 4X Branch of the Year, and in 2019 led the Western Region to record Revenue and record Profit for that year). I did have a separation from Suddath between 2000 and 2007 – working for Beltmann between 2000 and 2005 as GM of their Atlanta operation, and working for Armstrong and McCollister’s in a sales capacity, before returning to Suddath in 2008 as GM of their Atlanta operation.
Hilldrup: How long have you been at Hilldrup?
Mike: I joined Hilldrup in January of 2021.
Hilldrup: What will you miss most about Hilldrup?
Mike: I will miss the people and the teams. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in a family business where the family is still engaged in the business. I have known the McDaniel family for 40 years and always admired their reputation in the industry. Being able to work here and experience it first-hand has been one of the highlights of my career. I have said multiple times recently that I wished that I could have spent my entire career in this organization.
Hilldrup: What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry over the years?
Mike: When you have been in an industry as long as I have, you get to see a lot. Probably, the most significant change was the de-regulation that happened in 1980. The fundamentals of what we do though, have not changed much.
Hilldrup: What is a piece of advice you have used throughout your career and/or what is a piece of advice you’d leave for the Hilldrup team still in Raleigh?
Mike: Couple of things – 1. You will perform at a level that is consistent with how you conceptualize yourself, so be positive, seek knowledge, be a good teammate. 2. One of my favorite quotes from Jim Valvano – “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up”. 3. Always work with a “Servant’s Heart” – We can’t forget that we are in a service business, and we must always be willing to put ourselves in a subservient position.
Hilldrup: What is your greatest accomplishment both over your career and at Hilldrup?
Mike: I think that I have had a tremendous amount of success, but I have also seen some failures. The things that I will remember most are the friendships, the people that I have had the privilege of mentoring and coaching and witnessing their personal and professional successes.
Hilldrup: What are your plans for retirement?
Mike: We have moved to the beach! I have not lived at the beach since Jacksonville, so we will enjoy all that the beach life brings. Hopefully, be able to fish more, play a little golf, and work on the tan.
Hilldrup: Is there anything else you’d like to share or add?
Mike: I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here to finish up my career – wish it could have been longer, but Father Time waits for no one.
On behalf of all of us at Hilldrup, our hats go off to you, Mike. Thank you for everything, and we are excited for all you can enjoy in retirement!
