5 minute read
A Family Tradition
Photo by Logan Kirkland
A Family Tradition
By Carolanne Roberts
A few years ago, M.L. Waters, Class of 1978, stepped to the podium on Mississippi State’s Meridian campus to deliver the commencement address. “I was honored and surprised to be asked,” begins the co-owner of Waters International Trucks and Idealease, Inc. in Meridian. “Because I didn’t attend my own graduation, it was my opportunity to experience it with the students.”
So where was he that important day? “Already working,” replies Waters. “I had packed up and moved to work at our recently opened location in Meridian.”
Waiting for him to show up were older brothers Mike and David, who had graduated from MSU in 1975 and 1977, respectively. They had been running the new location for about a year while M.L. finished in Starkville. It is little wonder that the new graduate was in a hurry to get there.
M.L. and Kim Waters, who met as Mississippi State students, support the University with their time and financial resources.
Photo by Logan Kirkland
“My father, Ray Jr., was operating the Columbus location of Waters Truck & Tractor, which was founded in 1938 by his father, Ray Sr.,” he explains. “My dad had four sons and only one dealership, so each brother knew he would have to find work elsewhere – but then an opportunity arose.”
The sons launched a Meridian location with their father’s blessing, even though M.L. was still in college.
“Daddy was pleased and supported our efforts,” he recalls. “He lived until 1989, allowing him to see our expansion to Kosciusko. Later, we added dealerships in Natchez and Hattiesburg.”
All along it has been a family business run on love, business savvy and at times sacrifice. When Ray Sr. died, Ray Jr. elected to leave Mississippi State to manage the business in Columbus before he was 20 years old. As his family grew, the four boys worked at the dealership, learning the ropes and generally helping.
“It was not so much an expectation but a desire to be there,” says M.L., looking back. “At first, we swept the floors and washed the vehicles. We were put in the truck shop and worked as mechanic’s helpers. Then we moved on to different areas, working in each one, which really helped us when we took over the responsibility of running a dealership. I was a mechanic at age 11 and a bulldozer operator in high school. We did it all.”
The fourth generation has now joined the family business. Shown are (front, from left) brothers M.L. Waters, Mike Waters and David Waters and (back, from left) their sons Josh Waters, Michael Waters and Vaughan Waters.
Photo courtesy of Waters International Trucks
When M.L. Waters arrived in Starkville, he started as a civil engineering major, taking drafting and engineering courses that later came in handy when he and youngest brother Ine, who majored in architecture, designed the company’s Hattiesburg facility. As a sophomore, he shifted to the College of Business where, despite having grown up surrounded by business talk, his world expanded.
“I learned business practices I may not have [experienced] in our own company,” he explains. “We had accounting, statistics, business management skills – like dealing with personnel – and even speech, which enabled me to talk in a public environment and to communicate with customers and employees. My degree gave me so many insights into other ways to do things.”
Over the years, the business has grown considerably. The Columbus location became Waters Truck & Tractor Co., Inc., a franchise of International Trucks, in 1938. The Meridian location, the first expansion, came along in 1977 with M.L. and his brothers. Kosciusko opened in 1982, followed by Natchez in 2002 and Hattiesburg in 2007. In 2009 a second Columbus business, Waters Truck and Tire Service, joined the ranks. Waters Wrecker Service is also part of the portfolio, and Waters provides student transportation through the IC Bus franchise. In all, Waters employs more than 275 people.
“Last year, we celebrated our 80th anniversary as a company,” M.L. says proudly. “More than 700 people attended our open house. We were very humbled.”
He adds that the Waters dealerships have been recognized as top performers in International Trucks’ Circle of Excellence for more than 20 years.
The first three generations have indeed succeeded. Now the fourth is in place, with Mike’s son Michael, a Millsaps graduate; David’s son Vaughan, MSU ‘08, and M.L.’s son Josh, also MSU ‘08, having taken roles in the company. And the fifth generation is coming along.
“Our grandchildren will have the opportunity to expand the business if they decide to,” states M.L. “Our children are growing up in and around the dealerships, just as we did, which helps them determine what they want to do in life.”
Meanwhile, M.L. keeps his MSU heritage close to heart. He serves on the College of Business Executive Advisory Board and was named one of the College of Business’ Top 100 Alumni in 2015. At Meridian Community College, which he also supports, he was named 2012 Philanthropist of the Year and serves that institution on its Foundation Board of Directors. He has served on the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation Board of Directors and has received the organization’s Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
M.L. and wife Kim, a 1981 MSU accounting major, believe in supporting education. They have established the Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Waters Mississippi Power Endowed Scholarship, which provides support for business students; M.L. is on the energy company’s board of directors. Waters Companies also provides an annual scholarship to the child of an employee, and the Waters endow scholarships at Meridian Community College (MCC) as well.
On MSU’s Meridian campus, he has helped expand the curriculum, contributing advice and helping with fundraising. Waters utilizes the MSU Riley Center – a performing arts venue, conference center and educational center in historic downtown Meridian – for company meetings, and he supports the programs and performances there.
The family lineage at Mississippi State began with M.L.’s father, and it has become a part of life down through the youngest generation.
“My parents would carry us to Starkville for ballgames,” M.L. says. “My brothers and I enjoyed the social life and the academic life at State – and while there, I met Kim. Our own grandchildren already attend sporting events. There really is a family connection to Mississippi State from our parents to the brothers and their families.”
So, the tradition continues.
