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Wilbers: Leaders help others get where they want to be

Stephen Brooks/News Tribune Gary Wilbers was awarded the Marylyn Defeo Good Samaritan Hero award at the American Red Cross Heart of a Hero luncheon last March at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.

By Jeff Haldiman jhaldiman@newstribune.com

Published: Monday, November 23, 2009 4:38 AM CST

Sharing is a good word to use when describing Gary Wilbers. The president and chief executive officer of Mid-America Wireless believes in a philosophy that a community is a collection of people working for the good of everyone. His alma mater, Lincoln University, has honored him for his community service.

“I've been blessed with gifts and believe we should give back,” he said. “I've been fortunate in the business world.”

Wilbers has been a United Way campaign chairman and still supports their efforts. He has also spent many years working for Special Olympics.

“If they've got a good cause, we'll try to do it,” Wilbers said. “United Way serves over 20 agencies. It allows you to spread it out, and we're in 12 communities. I started with Special Olympics in 1991 and love that the athletes get the thrill of competition. It makes you realize what you do in the business world doesn't necessarily compare to the thrill of these athletes.”

Wilbers believes leadership is more about managing and sharing your knowledge with others.

“Leaders help others get to where they want to be,” he said. “My philosophy is I want leaders in my organization and in our community, especially youth who will take our community to the next level. At St. Stanislaus Church School, where my kids go to school, we're trying to incorporate programs for staff to develop character items that every person has, but you have to have them come out.

“One of these is called First Things First - you teach the kids to get priority things done first before doing things not as important. Homework has to be done before you can play or do other things.”

Wilbers has also been developing motivation projects for his employees to create an environment to excel.

“It's about saying 'Yes, we can,” he said.

“We offer courses for our team members. If they stay with it for 12 months, then there is no cost to them. What we're trying to do is allow them to gain additional knowledge and resources because if they grow as an individual, they grow working for us and their production goes up.”

Wilbers has been touted for how he has been able to grow his business. The company currently has 15 locations in 12 communities. He doesn't call the 150 people who work in the company employees, but rather team members.

“My main focus now in the company is where are we headed,” he said. “I'm working a lot more on the people side, not in sales too much any more. We've been in business 19 years.

“And if we want to be in business 19 more years, you have to go from survival mode to where we are we going to be down the road and what type of company do we want to be.”


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