Titles, roles shift at international moving franchise company
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Katie Rexrode Media Relations/Communications Manager katier@twomen.com
(Lansing, Mich.) – The family-owned international moving company TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is shifting gears. Melanie Bergeron will now assume the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Former CEO and Founder Mary Ellen Sheets has decided to take a different role in the company she’s built. Her new title is founder and chair. She will continue to represent the company including international speaking engagements discussing TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®’s growth, women in business and franchising.
Daughter, Melanie Bergeron, former COO and president, now CEO, will continue to run the daily operations of the nation’s largest franchised moving company. Son, Brig Sorber, former vice president of operations and director of licensing, is now president of the company. He will continue to lead the licensing department and will now work with Bergeron with many of the day-to-day operations at the international headquarters in Lansing, Mich.
Son, Jon Sorber, previously vice president of franchise growth and opportunities and franchisee for the Lansing and two Grand Rapids locations, is now Executive Vice President. Sorber’s focus is on growing the family’s flagship franchises. He is also a member of the board of directors.
Sheets said she is thrilled to pass on the company’s daily operations to her children. In her tenure, Sheets built her small company into an international success. She is the first woman ever to be named Entrepreneur of the Year by the International Franchise Association and is widely revered as a leader in the franchising and business worlds. Sheets said she very confident her children will continue to grow the family business – and live by to the company’s strong mission. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will remain a role model in the moving industry, she said.
“Passing my CEO title to Melanie was a no-brainer!” Sheets said. “She has run this company for years and the title is long overdue. Ours is an amazing story. I am just so lucky to have children who truly believe in the company’s vision and who have what it takes to take it to the next level. I will always remain focused on TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. I plan to still speak, write and visit our franchisees as this is what I truly love.”
Sheets sons started the small moving company when they were just in high school. After the pair left for college, Sheets took over and was able to grow it to include franchises across the country. Bergeron was the first franchisee opening the first location in Atlanta, Ga. The family has expanded the company internationally and it continues to experience significant growth every year. As of Jan. 3, there are 190 locations worldwide and more than 1,300 trucks in operation.
