Meet the NATM Dealer Committee Members: A Conversation with Jeff Wick

In July 2024, NATM staff members Andrea Boetticher and Izabella Chesney began a new series of interviews to learn more about the members of the 2024-2025 NATM Dealer Committee. Up first in that series is this conversation with Jeff Wick from MGS, Inc. 

Will you tell us a little about your career and your story? 

I have been managing people and teams since 2009. I started from the ground up with The Hertz Corporation out of college and was fortunate enough to end up managing many rental locations across Arizona. I grew tired and worn out with the global company dynamic and decided to cut ties and move back home to Colorado. I wanted to find a reasonably sized organization (preferably family owned) that would challenge and provide me with an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. Moreover, I wanted to partner with an organization that had an established and very diverse “book of business/customer base” to offset at least some risk from a market volatility and economic downturn standpoint. 

That’s where MGS, Incorporated came in. I have been proud to be part of this organization now for over 10 years and what a quality decision it has been. MGS has supported me tremendously through every step forward and I am thankful.

Was there anything in particular that brought you to the trailer dealership industry?

I love managing teams and individuals to push hard, grow, have fun and in doing so, winning, and growing the business. MGS, Inc. just so happened to manufacture and sell trailers and it gave me the opportunity to manage and lead some of its teams. I just had to learn to “talk trailer.”

What is your greatest achievement?

Personally: being so darn blessed to meet my wife at 36 years of age! What an achievement! ☺

Professionally: being Vice President of Retail Sales for MGS, Inc. I am thankful.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Managing people and teams is not always rainbows and sunshine, but, by golly, when the ball goes through the net and goals are scored, that is extremely rewarding! It fills my cup to see co-workers and teams celebrate those big wins and accomplishments.

MGS, Inc. sounds like a great place to work. Will you tell us more about the company? 

MGS, Incorporated was started in 1962 and has four different divisions to serve different segments. Defense Mobility Solutions, OEM, Utility Fleet Solutions, and Retail Sales, which is the division that I oversee. Of late, we have been averaging around 200 employees. 

Aside from our retail division, the other divisions mostly comprise trailers & products that MGS manufactures. Our typical trailer is unique and built to accommodate a specific end user’s transportation needs. We offer the solution. We are fortunate enough to be rewarded by our customer base for our long history of a culture of innovation, determination, and integrity. These values have allowed MGS to have a reputation of excellence and expertise in the light and medium-duty trailer industry.

Apart from your company values, what would you say sets you apart? What does the company pride itself on?

We are a very diverse organization with just about every niche covered to serve the trailer demand and the numerous directions that the industry is going and will be going. We are equipped to accommodate anything.

We pride ourselves on being the employer of choice. We want and need the best talents and mindsets to be part of this organization. This is the only way we, as an organization, can continue to take leaps forward. We are truly fortunate to have a sizeable percentage of long-term employees that have been with MGS for a long time. This, paired with new, high quality and talented individuals, sure helps us to regularly exceed and reach for the next milestone.

Is there something new and exciting the company is working on?

I can’t share this type of top-secret stuff! Just kidding. What I am personally most excited about, and selfishly I might add, is the Retail Division diligently working to standardize and have a uniform approach to our business. MGS would like to expand this division to add more dealerships in the coming years and I am excited to be part of it! So, if you are a current trailer dealer and are considering an exit strategy in the not-too-distant future, I’d sure love to talk to you.

Tell us a little more about your connection with NATM.

MGS has been with NATM for a very long time. Our CEO and Owner, Andy Gehman, is currently serving on the NATM Board of Directorsboard and has done so throughout the many years of his heavy involvement in the industry. The NATM is integral and core to our business. 

From a retail perspective, for brands we represent, they must be a NATM Member and actively participate in the Compliance Verification Program and place said decals on its product. Our sales teams speak to what NATM is and how critical the Compliance Verification Program is. We literally point this decal out to our customers on the lot. This is especially vital for large fleets and commercial end users. They want to know who they are partnered with and what they are buying.

And what has your involvement with NATM been so far?

I was fortunate enough to be asked by Chris Lago of All American Trailer to participate in the Dealer Committee. I am thankful he did, and it has been great!

What do you see as the industry’s greatest challenge? 

Greatest challenge: Move in a uniform direction to enhance the level of our industry presentation and consumer sentiment as to how professional trailer manufacturers and trailer dealers really are. The ability to have some industry standardization with respect to flat rates for common service work would enhance and likely allow for more success and profit for all (manufacturer & dealer). I personally also see this as one of its biggest opportunities. This is not an overnight rollout, however.

We are excited to see all the great things Jeff Wick will be doing on the committee! We are also looking forward to sharing more insights with our members and dealer affiliates on who is representing our dealer affiliates and assisting in growing the Dealer Affiliate Benefit Program. Keep an eye out for our next conversation with one of our Dealer Committee Members!