Search | Menu Three Generations of Diesel Engine Experts Drive Success and Jobs
Like most Madison College grads, Max has a job lined up after commencement, but he isn't just starting a career, he's stepping into a family business.
Max will soon put on a Guy’s Truck & Service logo shirt and join his dad Ryan, and grandfather Guy, who started the business 47 years ago.
“I’ve been in the shop my whole life. I started with taking out the trash and washing trucks," Max says. "Dad made sure I had considered all my career options. These past two years in college have gone fast and have been a lot of fun: I have no doubt this is what I want to do.”
Besides a last name, the three share an educational legacy—all graduated from the Madison College’s Diesel program: Guy in 1970, Ryan in 1998, and Max on May 10, 2024.
A Program Evolving With the Industry
Max will graduate with cutting-edge skills ready for today’s industry standards.
“I hope to share my skills, not all at once, but when a situation comes up, I can put my skills to the test, and hopefully everybody will be impressed.”
Guy has seen the industry evolve. After graduation, he worked seven years with a truck fleet before starting Guy’s Truck & Service in 1977 in Kieler, Wisconsin. Today, the business has 32 employees, including 10 family members, and another location in Galena, Illinois.
Ryan joined Guy’s Truck & Service after he graduated from Madison College in 1998.
When the three get together, they talk shop.
Guy remembers diesel engines controlled by cables and rods and the thick black engine smoke that filled the shop. That’s all changed.
“Electronics has drastically changed diesel engines,” Guy says. “It’s like going from a horse carriage to a man on the moon. And it’s forever changing.”
Ryan was at Madison College during the big electronics shift of diesel engines. When he joined the business, mechanics asked what he had learned about the new technology. He expects the same to happen when Max joins after graduation.
“I hope Max comes back with whole books and folders filled with knowledge that we can learn from him,” Ryan says. “There have been a million changes, and there's going to be a million more. This industry is ever-changing, and it’s crucial to stay on top of it.”
A Madison College Legacy
When it was time for Max to pick a school, Madison College was his No. 1 choice.
His father and grandfather saw the value of a Madison College education and the resources it offered. Ryan sees it when Madison College updates equipment to align with what graduates will work with.
“This college is committed to this industry, the next new thing, and getting equipment to teach these kids what they will see in their job,” Ryan says. “That doesn't happen in all schools, and Max is paying the same tuition as those schools. It is unreal how much Max is learning for the value of his tuition dollars.”
The entire family benefits from alumni connections: Guy often invites Madison College instructors to his business to teach employees new skills. Ryan sits on the program advisory board. And they both keep in contact with their classmates and instructors.
“I am close with my classmates. It’s been over 25 years, and we still go camping and boating together. I don’t know what it is about tech schools, but you get close to your fellow students: it’s an amazing thing.”
Max feels the same about keeping his Madison College connections.
“The guys I go to school with, we’ve talked about getting together after graduation because we don’t want these relationships to end.”
A Source of Pride
Guy took the skills he learned at Madison College and with hard work built a successful business that provides good-paying jobs.
“I’m pretty proud of that,” Guy says. “It does my heart good to drive into the parking lot and see my employees driving some nice-looking trucks. They are making a good living, and what does by heart even better is they love what they do and have fun with one another. We are one big family.”
Guy and Ryan are intent on passing down those work ethics to Max: respect employees and customers and treat them like you would like to be treated, give customers quality service at a fair value, and take pride in your work.
When Madison College instructor Aaron Dix told them they were the first third-generation family to graduate from the Diesel Program, all three were amazed. At Max’s commencement, they will celebrate.
“My chest will stick out…I will be pretty proud,” Guy says. “Max is a good boy.”
Ryan agrees.
“It’s a proud moment to see your kid graduate, especially in the same trade as you. I didn’t give it a thought until Mr. Dix brought it up, but it's a neat distinction of being the first.”
Max says the walk across the stage to get his diploma will be fleeting, just a few seconds, but the satisfaction will last a lifetime.
“When I graduate on May 10, it will be very cool. Afterward, it will be pretty rewarding for me to see my family, knowing that I’m done with school, and I’ve accomplished this.”
