Jon Sorber

Executive Vice President and Franchisee of Lansing, Mich. and two Grand Rapids, Mich. locations

History with company:

Jon Sorber is one of the original two men along with older brother Brig Sorber. The brothers started their little moving/hauling business while still in high school to earn extra money. Using a 1967 pickup truck, the two placed an ad in a local shopping guide that read, “Two men and a truck to move your belongings…” The ad also included a stick figure logo designed by their mother, Mary Ellen Sheets. This remains the corporate logo for the now TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® /INTERNATIONAL, Inc.

Sorber opened his first franchise in Grand Rapids in 1989. He worked at his childhood desk, behind the couch in his one-bedroom apartment that also served as his office. His customer service representative also worked from home. At that time, Sorber was only earning about $50 a week. He was forced to take a job with UPS to subsidize his income. He worked at UPS from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and then focused on his TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sorber often did additional paperwork at night. In 1990, he quit his job in corporate security in Grand Rapids to focus on the family business. Today, Sorber has more than 150 employees at his three locations.

Besides running his three franchises, Sorber plays a role on the company’s board of directors. As the only board member actively running franchises, Sorber frequently test markets new services, products and systems. Wearing two hats, one as franchisee and the other as franchisor, he also works as a “sounding board” between the franchisees and the franchisor.

Awards:

Friends of West Michigan Business Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

Political Action Committee 9th Annual Salute Award Winner 2004

Organizations/Boards:

     Member of the Greater Lansing Home Builders  Association

     Member of the Greater Grand Rapids Home Builders Association

     Member of the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors

     Member of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

     Member of the St. Johns Chamber of Commerce

     Member of the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

     Member of the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce

     Member of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce

     Member and very actively involved with Brightside Community Church in Caledonia, Mich.

Media mentions:

Lansing State Journal

Grand Rapids Press

Business Today on WILX NBC 10

Education:

Graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice