In Omaha, RDO Truck Center is home to a remarkable phenomenon: five father-son or father-daughter pairs work together in one location. Not only are they an example of professional excellence on their own, but they are also a testament to how to fuse family and career.
What makes these duos stand out? It’s their shared passion for the job and the unparalleled commitment they bring to their roles. We chatted with them to answer some of our questions about working with family.
What drew you to working with your parent/child at RDO Truck Centers?
Conner: The environment. Every day I would come home to a new story from my dad at work, and it seemed like a great place to work with a good work environment.
Brian: Ashton was looking for something more than just a job. I recommended RDO as a possible career where he could learn from the inside and hopefully excel.
Michael: My father is the reason I work at RDO. I was looking for a job coming out of college, and he mentioned that there was a position available in the leasing department. I look up to my father so working for the same company seemed like a smart decision.
Can you share a memorable moment you’ve experienced while working with your parent/child?
Geni: The first Saturday I worked, I was all alone for the first time, and it was only a week or two after I started. I thought it didn’t go very well, but he was there to help me through it.
Travis: She had only been here two weeks and was working the service counter by herself on a Saturday. Halfway through the day, I asked how she was doing. She replied, “It’s more than I expected.” I told her things were going smoothly. She was doing an excellent job and didn’t even know it….
Jason: Several moments come to mind, but really, they all circle around how quickly Mike settled in and became a part of the company. Of course, I give a lot of credit to Mike for this, but also for how much time has been spent with him by the people training him and getting him up to speed.
Have there been any unexpected benefits or challenges of working with your parent/child that you didn’t anticipate?
Jason: Our only real challenge is remembering to talk about other things when we are away from work. We both enjoy our jobs and like to talk about them, a lot. We are getting better at keeping conversations short and engaging on personal topics away from work. The benefits are great — I see him way more than I would otherwise, and we have this industry, RDO and the great people we work with in common.
Travis: She has shared pictures of things I never shared with coworkers. Like the time I got my arm stuck while fixing her van. It’s tougher to keep embarrassing moments private now.
Michael: A benefit to working with my father is that I get to see him almost every day; either while driving or just working around the building.
What unique strengths do you believe your parent/child brings to the workplace?
Jason: He is a smart and charismatic guy. When the situation calls for it, he is a great leader and can work his way through problems. Physically, he is up to any task and likes to stay active. He is honest and helpful to others in any situation. I probably should stop there — I tend to go on about my kids.
Gene: He has a great work ethic and a willingness to help others with any problem.
Michael: Over the years, my father has gained sales experience in many different industries. He has always strived to act professionally and to be very dependable in the workplace and outside the workplace.
What advice would you give to other families considering working together in a professional setting?
Conner: I would say give it a try. At first, I was a little eerie about working side by side with my dad, but after a couple of weeks, it made us grow closer than we were before.
Ashton: Have fun with it—in a professional manner. Working with a parent or family member is not as scary as people think.
James: Learn everything you can from your parent.
Michael: A piece of advice I would give to other families considering working together is that if you work for a great company like RDO, you ultimately get to be part of a great team that includes a family member.
How has working alongside each other shaped your perspective on the business?
Jason: I think more about safety than I ever did before. I’m thankful that we both work for a company that takes it seriously.
Travis: It has given me an opportunity to see the business through younger eyes. She’s never been in this scenario before and it’s interesting to hear the things she notices.
Brian: Working next to Ashton has shown me that RDO is a very family-oriented company, something I was unaware of before.
In what ways do you see your family’s legacy reflected in the work you do?
Geni: Since he is well known in this business, I would like to uphold the legacy he has created.
Conner: Most customers I deal with seem to know my dad very well as he has been in the industry for a long time, so when he is not around, I’m the customer’s next go-to person.
Troy: Always being honest with our customers has helped us build lasting relationships.
Michael: Being a Gittins, it is in our nature to be reliable people that show up when you need us and help others.
What do you hope to achieve together in the future, both personally and professionally?
Ashton: I hope to continue moving forward, being able to do something more in the company. Also, I wouldn’t mind being able to boss my dad around for once!
Brian: I hope to retire from RDO and sit back and watch Ashton continue to add value to the company.
Conner: To always keep learning. There is always something new to learn from each other whether it is at work or outside of work.
What advice would you give your son/daughter regarding their career at RDO Truck Centers?
Jason: Learn from these people. Every one of them can teach you something. Continue to be honest and work hard. You will see options open for you.
Travis: Just keep doing what you’re doing. Try to learn something new every day and make the most of each day.
Troy: Keep listening and learning because no matter how much you have learned you will always learn something new as everything in the industry keeps changing.
Through the different experiences and perspectives of these parent/child pairs working together at RDO Truck Center in Omaha, we’ve gained insights into the unique dynamics and strengths that familial bonds bring to the workplace. From service technicians to sales representatives, each duo contributes a special blend of shared values and individual expertise, enriching our team and fostering a culture of collaboration and support. If you’re inspired by these stories and interested in learning more about a career at RDO Truck Centers, visit our Careers page.
