TWO MEN AND A TRUCK started in the early 1980s as a way for two brothers to make extra money while they were in high school. Now, more than 35 years later, the company has grown to over 400 locations worldwide.
Brothers Brig and Jon Sorber began moving people in the Lansing area using a ‘66 Ford pickup truck. They had their mom, Mary Ellen Sheets, develop a logo to put in a weekly community newspaper. That “stick-men” logo still rests on every truck, sign, uniform, and advertisement associated with the company.
After the brothers left for college, Sheets continued to field calls for moving services while still working a full-time data processing job with the State of Michigan. In 1985, she decided to make things official by purchasing a 14-foot truck for $350 and hiring a pair of movers. That $350 was the only capital Sheets ever invested in the company.
Her experience with data analysis – combined with her commitment to customer service – earned her a spot on a 1988 graduate business panel at Michigan State University. When a fellow panelist suggested she franchise her little moving company, Sheets decided to consult with an attorney on the matter.
Nationwide Expansion
In 1989, Sheets awarded the first location outside of Michigan to her daughter, Melanie Bergeron, with an office located in Atlanta, GA.
When the company reached 39 franchises, Sheets asked Bergeron to assume the role of company president while she pursued a seat in the Michigan State Senate. Bergeron then served as the Chair of the Board with the company for many years before retirement in 2021. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s long track record of aggressive growth can be directly attributed to Bergeron’s professional leadership and keen business strategies.
Brig and Jon Sorber eventually returned to team up with their mom and older sister in the mid-1990s. Brig would go on to serve in multiple executive roles over the years, including President, CEO, and Chief Brand Officer. Jon served as the Executive Vice President for many years. Both also retired in 2021.
In August 2012, former Chief Operating Officer Randy Shacka was promoted to President of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. Brant Hartle joined the executive team in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer, and Lindsay Gainor joined as the VP of HR and Talent Management in 2024.
Moving into the Future
That first truck Sheets purchased in 1985 has now multiplied into a fleet of more than 3,000 trucks. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is the nation’s largest franchised moving company, covering 48 states along with locations in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Customers benefit from having trained, uniformed movers who are insured, bonded, and equipped with the knowledge to handle any home or business moving needs.
The company has come a long way – and logged a lot of miles – since Sheets sketched the first “stick-men” logo. The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK system continues to pave the way for future growth and innovation, while remaining rooted in the core principles of exceeding customers’ expectations.
