We were lucky to catch up with David Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

I would change what it cost for someone to go to college or a trade school. This should be free for anyone wanting to get a higher education or learn a trade. To prepare our youth for a more fulfilling life and career it needs to start in High School and then contiue through their education. They need to be placed into internships to learn about the various careers that are available to them an experince it first hand to help ensure thats what they want to do in life. It would save alot of unnecessary expense for college that is not what a student wants. I sponsored a intern program for seniors in High School as Auto Techs and Welding Fabricators. The students would come in two days a week and work along side my tech’s and they weree actually put to work, not standing around watching. It help quite a few of them realize that’s not what they wanted to do in life. The rest where like “this is great” an what they wanted to do for a career. We help the schools point them to Community College and start their careers. We actual got a state law changed that stated the interns needed to have a work permit to participate in the program. Some of our participants didn’t not have the needed funds to purchase the permit so I worked with the proper agency an we were able to strike that law off of the books an get these young people into a internship an help them start their careers and become productive members of society.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I went in the U.S. Air Force fresh out of High School at the age of 17 and went in to Transportation. I spent a little over 21 years in the Air Force. Where I served in various capacities and ulimately ended my career as the Deputy Director of Base Support at my final assignement. I worked for 4 years for EG&G and DynCorp as a Site Manager overseeing all support services on the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. I was the Director of Automotive & Central Services for Clark County Nevada for over 17 years, overseeing their automotive fleet operations, mail room and print shop. I started my own Funeral Hearse business almost 3 years ago. While I have been in the transportation business for over 43 years it was my first foray into the Funeral Hearse business. I saw a need that was not being filled in the community so we decided to fill that need. After approximately 2 years of research I launched the Last Mile Motorcycle Hearse Company which offers the only motorcycle hearse on the west coast! We went from just offering the motorcycle with a custom hearse/coach to using a H2 Hummer an then a Bentley Flying Spur pulling another coach. The impact this makes on our clients is truly amazing an it lets us make a very hard time for loved ones just a little easier by using our unique funeral coaches. We are most proud of the reaction we get from out clients when they see our coaches for the first time with the photos of their loved one display an music palying that they requested an it just makes it a little easier on them to know they are sending their loved one out in style!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

When we go to a funeral our vehicles are absolutely spotless and in top condition. Even if its raining, as soon as the rain stops we will wipe them off so they shine. We ensure there is a very nice photo of their loved on display on the coach and any music they requested is playing at the time requestes. We ensure we have great communication so no detail is nissed. Extemely respectful to all of our clients. By doing these things we have created a very loyal client base. They know if they hire us they are getting a premeir service provider!

Any advice for managing a team?

When it comes to managing a team you have to know each individual on that team an what makes them tick. Then you need to ensure you talk with you people an if you have middle managers they are talking with the people on a continual basis an if they are having any issues do we have the resources to help them with their issues so they can concentrate on the job at hand. TALK WITH YOUR PEOPLE, EVERYONE OF THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS! Ensure any discplinary issues are dealt with swiftly and fairly. Show them they are appreciated. Have quarterly lunchs an events with them to show them they are apprecaited. Congratulate them on accomplishments, hand out awards, etc… in front of their peers, By doing the above, morale should always be high! If you don’t take care of your people they will never take care of you, they will only do enough to get by.

Contact Info:

• Website: lastmilemhc.com
• Instagram: lastmilemhc
• Facebook: LAstMileMotorcylceHearseCompany
• Linkedin: David W. Johnson Logistics & Transportation