I am PSTC - Gary Conleay

Gary is leaving a lasting impression as he retires from Peach State Truck Centers and SelecTrucks. Telling a story about someone with a history like Gary Conleay’s is no easy task. There are years of moments, experiences and people that matter. Where to begin is always the question when talking about the end of a fulfilling, successful and influential career. To sum it all up, you could easily say Gary Conleay spent years making a positive difference in the lives of others and will continue to do so during his new phase of life.

Gary’s 44-year truck sales career started with his mom and dad’s influence. Gary’s mom owned and operated a school bus, and his dad sold school buses for a Chevrolet dealership. He grew up around a dealership, and during his college days he worked two summers for Blue Bird Bus as the factory tour guide. Gary said, “I spent a lot of time in my youth following my Dad around and observing how the sales business worked. Dad had a specialty of selling school buses, and I traveled with him to the Thomas Built Bus and Blue Bird Bus plants on several occasions. I was always particularly interested in buses, big trucks and heavy equipment. On my 18th birthday, I obtained a ‘Chauffeur’s License,’ and I have maintained a commercial driver’s license up to this day.”

Gary graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in marketing in 1976. Thinking like a marketer has always been at the center of Gary’s career. This has enabled him to grow brands, generate sales and empower customers. His white papers have been downloaded thousands of times. His customers have benefited from his counsel, his guidance, and his uncanny ability to understand his customers’ point of view. Gary is intentional when sharing his knowledge to provide customers a positive experience, not only at the point of sale, but throughout the lifetime of their vehicle. Gary has years of knowledge and experience that he seamlessly crafts into his everyday language through conversations with industry experts, customers, and sales teams he has led.

“During my career, I have represented just about every brand of truck. I attended training for all the individual brands I represented. I had the privilege of touring two Kenworth plants, two Peterbilt plants, a Mack plant, a Ford plant, a GM plant, a Volvo plant, two Freightliner plants, a Detroit Diesel plant, a Cummins plant, and a Caterpillar plant. I have always been in love with trucks and trucking and continue to be as fascinated and passionate about this industry now as the day I started. In fact, sometimes I am passionate to the point of driving my wife a little crazy. For some reason she thinks we should not visit truck dealerships while on vacation.”

When asked the question of what he is most proud of, Gary says that he has always felt there was a huge need to take the used truck market to a higher standard. Used trucks can provide a great value to customers and a huge opportunity to the smaller fleet or independent owner wanting to grow their business. But they can also pose a huge risk to those customers if they are not dealing with a reputable company. Gary always felt that the used truck business should be an honorable business that owner-operators and small fleets could reliably do business with and be able to purchase equipment that would allow them to compete and succeed in the marketplace.

Gary said, “I had always sold both new and used trucks but gravitated to used trucks in recent years. I really enjoy the process of acquiring used trucks and transforming them from something not very desirable into something that looks and performs like new again. Most of the people buying used trucks do it because they have a dream to see the country and control their own destiny. They want to choose their own freight, make their own schedules and be independent with a solid livelihood. My goal has been to give owner-operators an opportunity to have a lucrative career and a successful business. When I hear about the success of my customers, it brings me much joy, and that is what I like most about this business. I also enjoy the uniqueness of used trucks as opposed to new trucks. I enjoy the remarketing of these trucks and helping our salespeople to build a strong customer base, achieving their career goals, and realizing their own success. I learned so much of what I know from the amazing people I have worked with over the years, and the organizations I have been a part of, including the Used Truck Association where I had the opportunity to build relationships with used truck people from all over North America.”

In 2007 Peach State Truck Centers bought out Atlanta Freightliner and SelecTrucks of Atlanta. Shortly after, they asked Gary to join the company and lead their used truck efforts. Today, Peach State has three SelecTrucks locations and is one of the biggest retailers of used trucks in the Southeast. Gary continues to be thankful for the customers, colleagues, and OEM relationships he had over the past 44 years. “During my fifteen-year tenure here at Peach State Truck Centers, we have been a market leader in the Southeast in the remarketing of used trucks. My teams were at the top of the leaderboard within the SelecTrucks network and have received numerous awards every year. I am also thankful for the very special relationships with the people at Daimler Trucks Remarketing. Together we sold a lot of trucks and had a lot of fun! These organizations, and these people will always hold a special place in my heart and my memories of a fulfilling lifelong career. Thank you to all of you who have made a positive difference in my life,” Gary said.

Gary, we love you, we will miss you as you retire this year. We will always remember the lessons you taught us through your kind, patient, and calm demeanor, and your wish to make a positive impact on so many lives. Thank you for all you have done for Peach State Truck Centers.