James Michael Gatewood

PC129
Start Date: March 11, 1991
Position: Branch Manager

How did you hear about Sunbelt Rentals? How did you find out about your position?

Mike became aware of Sunbelt Rentals through an acquisition. He was working for Aggregate Equipment when Sunbelt acquired it.

Why Sunbelt Rentals over other companies?

From Mike’s years of working at Sunbelt, he can say that by far Sunbelt's management is a lot more in tune with what's going on and a lot more efficient with how they run the business.

Brief summary of your military background & career path with Sunbelt (to date and what you plan for the future)

Mike served in the military from January 1983 to December 23, 1986. While serving he was in radio communications on the FF 1095 USS Truett for three years. He has made three trips to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, made a few stops in Europe, has been to the Black Sea, and has been all over the Mediterranean Sea. There were no serious threats during his time of service, so he did not travel with battle groups. When Mike got out of the military, he worked in sales for a small engine and generator company. After that, he worked for Aggregate Equipment. Most of his time there in a CSR role, but he also worked a year in outside sales for scaffold, and then ran the parts department for a couple of years. When Sunbelt acquired Aggregate, Mike was brought on as a CSR at a General Tool Branch. The store separated into General Tool (Branch 132) and a Scaffold (Branch 129) location. He went to the Scaffold side as a CSR, but performed more as an Operations Manager. During that time, we did not have an Operations Manager role and the rule of thumb at the store was to do what you need to in order to get it done. Basically, your responsibility was whatever came your way. After serving in that CSR role, he then became the Branch Manager of that location. His plans for the future are to hopefully help the Scaffold division grow as a whole. His Branch has gone through some growth of its own and he would like to keep heading down that path. A long term goal of gratification for him is to know that when he leaves and hands his Branch off to someone else, that the store is in good hands and continues to thrive.

In your own words - tell us a little about your experience here at Sunbelt Rentals:

Mike's experience for the most part has been positive. Reverting back to advice he learned from his old managers: “You're only as good as the people you have around you” – which he says is a true testament of Sunbelt from the top to the bottom. His words were, “You have a working relationship with people and then they become family, and you don't forget family.” He says that he has learned a lot over the years since being with Sunbelt. To sum it up his words were, "I am fortunate and blessed to have had great managers and role models to learn from."