Executive Coach
Former Owner, Ditch Witch of North Carolina
“It's all about the people. And if you don't like people, there's no reason to be in business.”
Travis Wilkey
Experience
First National Bank of Oklahoma City
Travis owned a Ditch Witch equipment dealership in North Carolina for 45 years after working as a banker in Oklahoma. He shared ownership with a co-owner who grew up in the business and later bought that co-owner out. He let salespeople and service staff settle warranty questions with customers on the spot and trusted them to decide as he would. He discussed pay openly with employees, and he says he leads "by example."
Travis worked in the underground construction equipment industry as a Ditch Witch dealer, after working as a banker in Oklahoma. He owned the dealership for 45 years and ran its general business operations. The dealership employed 45 to 50 people.
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Bank Officer, Bank of Oklahoma
Winning the top Ditch Witch Dealer Award. David Woods was really the driving force of this top ten deal. That was really an accomplishment that I took a lot of pride in, not only for me but for our employees.
When you get into this business and you start buying, you have to buy property for your business. Make sure that you buy that and that becomes part of your retirement.
I'm really proud of those people that I've worked with over the years. We had good relationships with them, and they knew where I stood, and I knew where they stood.
Tell us about the leader and the situation. If Travis is not the fit, one of the other coaches will be.