Gary Willey Biography
Gary was born in Hebron, NE, the only son of Harvey and Helen Willey. He was raised in Hastings, NE and relocated to Minneapolis, MN in 1973. He returned to Lincoln, NE in 1982. He has a sister Judy Groetzinger, and Brother in Law Roger Groetzinger, also of Lincoln.
Gary married AlyceRae Leetsch on January 19, 1964.
As a Member in the Presbyterian Church USA, Gary is an Ordained Elder, serving as a member of the Session and as Deacon for nearly twelve years.
Gary served a total of 9 years in the US Army, Army Reserve, and Air National Guard. He has an honorable discharge from both the Army and Air Force.
Gary worked as Parts Manager for Hastings Motor Truck, a Diamond T (Reo) truck dealer in Hastings, from 1959 to 1968.
Gary worked in various capacities for Century Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, MN starting as a "farm to farm" direct salesman, then a District Manager, Regional Manager, Division Manager, National Sales Manager, and finally as Vice President of Sales & Marketing in 1978. During the nine years Gary was with the company, sales rose from $18,000,000 to over $50,000,000 and Century became the world's largest manufacturer of welders and battery chargers.
Gary is Founder and Past President of the Nebraska Satellite Dealers Association, past Member of the National Installer Board for Hughes Network Systems (Hughes is the world's largest supplier of two-way business satellite data systems), past Member of the National Dealer Board for Music Choice (Music Choice is the world's largest supplier of background music for business) past Board President of the Nebraska Stroke Foundation (since renamed the Nebraska State Stroke Association, a non-profit located in Lincoln, NE), past Member of Lincoln Chamber of Commerce serving as Chair of their Small Business Committee in 2004, served as Program Chair in 2005 for the Executive Club of Lincoln, was elected Vice President and President in 2006, and President again in 2012.
Gary is Founder and past President and CEO of MIDLAND Suppliers, Inc. providing business satellite services Nationwide.
Gary is Founder and past President of MIDLAND Music, Inc. providing background music services Nationwide.
Gary is Founder and President of Gary Willey & Associates, Inc., a licensed AMCA (Accredited Master Consulting Agent) for the "Monopolize Your Marketplace" system, providing Marketing services nationwide. Gary was recognized by Monopolize Your Marketplace as a "Level II Accredited Agent," one of only a handful of some 1,400 Master Consulting Agents in the country. He operates Gary Willey & Associates as a home-based business and specializes in Copywriting and Email Marketing.
Gary is an Instrument Rated Private Pilot with nearly 1,500 hours and over 1000 hours actual instrument flight time. In the past 30 years, Gary and AlyceRae have owned three airplanes including an “S” model Beechcraft Bonanza which at the time, was the fastest naturally aspirated production single - engine aircraft in the world.
Gary’s current "hobby" is a Class A, 42' Diesel Motor Home, and he and AlyceRae travel extensively. He is also a classic car lover, Member of the REBELS car club in Lincoln, NE, and a Docent (tour guide) at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln.