A pair of longtime McCoy Group teammates wrapped up their tenures with the company this spring after completing illustrious careers.
When Wes James and Mary Ubersox retired from their full-time positions with the company in May, they capped 45-year tenures with the organization. To put things in perspective, they have been with companies that ultimately would make up the McCoy Group for all but 19 years of the organization’s nearly 64-year history.
Both women vividly remember the process of joining the organization, including their initial meeting with company founder, Bob McCoy, Sr., before joining businesses that were precursors to the McCoy Group’s operations. “I answered a blind ad that was in the Republican Journal (newspaper) in Darlington, Wis,” James recalled. “I was interviewed and hired to do the accounting for Motor Truck Lease, Inc. I remember that interview very clearly — it was Bob McCoy, Sr., Roland Trevethan and Jack McCoy who conducted the interview and gave me my chance to be part of this company.”
Meanwhile, Ubersox intended for her stint with the McCoy Group to be a temporary stop. “After I received my associate degree, my accounting instructor informed me about a position at GMC Truck Sales in Shullsburg, Wis.,” Ubersox remembered. “Bob McCoy, Sr. and Jack McCoy interviewed me the day after I graduated, and they asked me to start the following Monday, May 24, 1976. I planned on moving to Lacrosse, Wis., but thought I would try this out for a year or two before I moved.”
In addition to her initial accounting position with Motor Truck Lease, James also served as a truck sales assistant for the company, as well as an assistant to Bob McCoy, Sr. for many years. When Foodliner joined the McCoy Group in the 1980s, James served in multiple capacities, including in the areas of billing, settlements, licensing and safety. James, in late 1994 was asked to join the dealership accounting team, a position that brought her to the company headquarters in Dubuque. However, within six or so months, she was asked to take on a role with the parent company. “I knew it would be a challenging and rewarding experience,” she said. “So, they created the position of Administrative Assistant which was my title for so many years and I wasn’t wrong, it has been challenging and rewarding.”
Like James, Ubersox eventually took on a role with Foodliner.
“I had a choice to stay with GMC Truck Sales, now Truck Country, or move to Foodliner, a new trucking company, that was just (purchased),” Ubersox recalled. “I took the opportunity to work for Foodliner because I thought it would be exciting to help establish a new company.”
Over the years, Ubersox used her talents to assist Foodliner in multiple areas, including in accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, with the most time spent with the general ledger accounting department.
“I played different roles during my career including being the Foodliner and Quest Liner accounting manager for several years and finishing my career as SkyBitz Support Manager, which was a fun challenge,” Ubersox said.
“When I started there were only Shullsburg, Dubuque and McMorHan Trucking, and everything was done by hand,” James added, noting the bygone era.
Despite entering into retirement, the women expect to be plenty busy in the years ahead.
“My husband (Gary) and I plan on taking some long stays at our permanent camp site this summer and hopefully get some fishing done,” James said. “And I can’t forget, just spending time with our kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and my grandchildren,” Ubersox said. “I also plan on volunteering at the assisted living facility and the nursing home for residents that don’t have someone to spoil them. Along with that, I would like to volunteer with the youngsters that need a little extra help with their math and reading.”
While looking forward to retirement, both James and Ubersox said they will fondly remember their time with the McCoy Group.
“I’ll always remember my work family and the memories we created along the way!” Ubersox said. “(The people of the McCoy Group) have been such a big part of my life, and my work family means so much to me,” James added.
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