Honoring Veterans at HOLT Truck Centers: Spotlight on Karl Blumenhagen
Honoring Veterans at HOLT Truck Centers: Spotlight on Karl Blumenhagen At HOLT Truck Centers, we are proud to recognize the veterans who bring their dedication, skills, and values to our organization. As Veterans Day approaches, we want to shine a light on one of our own, Karl Blumenhagen, whose journey from serving in the United States Air Force to his role with HOLT Truck Centers exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership that benefits our team and our customers every day. Karl Blumenhagen served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force for seven years. Reflecting on his decision to join the military, he shared, “I have a passion to serve others and wanted to make a meaningful impact; the Air Force offered me an opportunity to explore this passion around the world.” This commitment to service has remained central to Karl’s life and continues to guide his journey here at HOLT Truck Centers. For Karl, the transition from the Air Force to HOLT Truck Centers has been a natural alignment of values. “Each branch of the military has a clear set of core values unique to their mission,” he explained. “At HOLT, our values serve a similar purpose, uniting us and helping employees connect with one another across departments and roles. Believing in these values gives us purpose, aligns us with our overall enterprise goals, and provides opportunities to make measurable changes in people’s lives.” Karl brings a depth of experience and dedication to his role, helping to foster a sense of community and purpose within the HOLT family. In his position with HOLT Truck Centers, Karl finds meaning in the work he does each day. “I’m here to serve others and change lives – HOLT gives me endless opportunities and support to do this. I get to work with incredible people doing incredible things within all HOLT Group business units,” he said. His approach to his role reflects the commitment and camaraderie he cultivated in the military and now shares with his colleagues. Outside of work, Karl enjoys traveling, exploring new places, golfing, and indulging in his passion for classic cars, sprint car racing, and hockey. His family is his biggest support, and he cherishes time spent with his wife Deanne and their two daughters, Savannah (13) and Holly (8). Whether it’s cheering at soccer games or exploring new destinations in Canada and the U.S., family time is central to Karl’s life outside of work. As we honor our veterans, we extend our gratitude to Karl and all those who have served. Their commitment to values and service is a cornerstone of HOLT Truck Centers’ mission, and we are proud to have them on our team. Thank you, Karl, for your service and for continuing to make an impact at HOLT Truck Centers. About HOLT Truck Centers HOLT Truck Centers is the authorized International and Idealease dealer in Oklahoma, North Texas, and East Texas. Additionally, HOLT Truck Centers has dedicated truck engine service bays throughout its full-service facilities, with the necessary components to provide bumper-to-bumper diagnostics, maintenance, and emergency service, including brakes, drivelines and transmissions for all makes and models of on-highway trucks, RVs, and busses. With a large selection of new and used on highway trucks, trailers and specialty equipment, HOLT Truck Centers has the inventory to meet your needs. Other manufacturers available at HOLT Truck Centers include IC Bus, Isuzu commercial trucks, Ottawa, XL Specialized, Battle Motors, Load King, and HI-VAC specialty vehicles. HOLT Truck Centers has 15 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma. HOLT Truck Centers is a HOLT Group operating company. For more information, visit HoltTruckCenters.com or HoltGrp.com. About HOLT Group HOLT Group, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a values-based, family-owned company serving the industrial world. HOLT Group is led by a people-first approach that embraces a Values-Based Leadership model to shape its company culture and operating philosophy. This leadership style made the Holt name synonymous with innovation, quality, integrity, and legendary customer service. The heritage of HOLT Group dates back to 1933 when William K Holt Machinery Co. was founded by the Holt family as the authorized Caterpillar equipment dealer in South Texas. The company was renamed HOLT CAT, and it has grown to be the largest Cat equipment dealership in the United States. HOLT Group operates in numerous market sectors to include industrial, commercial, energy, technology, and training and development through its operating companies: HOLT CAT®, Texas First Rentals®, HOLT Truck Centers, HOLT Crane & Equipment®, HOLT Industrial Rentals, HOLT Industrial Systems, HOLT Manufacturing, HOLT Renewables, HOLT Aerial, SITECH Tejas, and Epiphany Industrial Technologies. For more information, visit HoltGrp.com. Buy Used Locations Financing Our Team is Ready to Answer Your Questions! Fill out the form and a HOLT Truck Centers representative will contact you as soon as possible.
Celebrating Veterans at HOLT Truck Centers: Honoring Retired Marine Corps Captain Mitchell Van Syckel
Celebrating Veterans at HOLT Truck Centers: Honoring Retired Marine Corps Captain Mitchell Van Syckel As we approach Veterans Day, HOLT Truck Centers proudly recognizes the veterans within our team who continue to serve their communities with dedication, expertise, and an unwavering sense of duty. Today, we are honored to highlight the incredible career and continued impact of a valued team member, Mitchell Van Syckel, a retired Marine Corps Captain with over 25 years of distinguished service. Mitchell joined the United States Marine Corps, inspired by friends who had taken the same path. Over his 25-year career, he rose through the ranks to become a Captain (LDO) and spent over 17 of those years serving abroad, often in challenging and high-stakes environments. His overseas experience includes expeditions and armed conflict tours in Thailand, Grenada, Panama, and the first Gulf War. He also served as Marine Security at American embassies, trained future Marines as a Drill Instructor, and advanced through the ranks from Warrant Officer to Captain. A graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, he retired with deep expertise and commitment to service. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Mitchell returned to his home state of Montana, joining the Musselshell County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as both Undersheriff and County Coroner. His law enforcement career included involvement in the longest armed standoff in FBI history against the Montana Freeman and Militia of Montana, an event documented by PBS. Later, he served as a Narcotics Agent with the Laurel Police Department in Mississippi. In 2012, he joined what is now HOLT Truck Centers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has served as a Service Advisor for 11 years. In his current role, the skills he honed in the military help him excel. “My military career helps me daily in this position, where I had the opportunity to be faced with multiple responsibilities, requiring me to become task-oriented and complete those tasks in an efficient and timely manner,” he explains. His focus, discipline, and commitment to excellence make him an integral part of the HOLT team, and we are grateful for the impact he has on our operations and on those around him. Outside of work, Mitchell is a lifelong learner, having earned a master’s degree in English literature and currently pursuing studies in comparative religions at Harvard Divinity School. His interests include home renovations, reflecting his hands-on approach and love of tackling new projects. Mitchell’s family also has a legacy of service. His oldest son, Christopher, is a former Marine with a master’s in aerospace engineering and works with NORAD. His daughter, Abigail, is a nurse with a master’s degree, and his youngest son, Nathaniel, served in both the Marine Corps and U.S. Army and is now studying aviation electronics. HOLT Truck Centers is proud to honor Mitchell Van Syckel and all veterans for their commitment to service and sacrifice. Their stories inspire us and remind us of the values that define our organization. Thank you, Mitchell, for your service and for continuing to make a difference at HOLT Truck Centers. About HOLT Truck Centers HOLT Truck Centers is the authorized International and Idealease dealer in Oklahoma, North Texas, and East Texas. Additionally, HOLT Truck Centers has dedicated truck engine service bays throughout its full-service facilities, with the necessary components to provide bumper-to-bumper diagnostics, maintenance, and emergency service, including brakes, drivelines and transmissions for all makes and models of on-highway trucks, RVs, and busses. With a large selection of new and used on highway trucks, trailers and specialty equipment, HOLT Truck Centers has the inventory to meet your needs. Other manufacturers available at HOLT Truck Centers include IC Bus, Isuzu commercial trucks, Ottawa, XL Specialized, Battle Motors, Load King, and HI-VAC specialty vehicles. HOLT Truck Centers has 15 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma. HOLT Truck Centers is a HOLT Group operating company. For more information, visit HoltTruckCenters.com or HoltGrp.com. About HOLT Group HOLT Group, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a values-based, family-owned company serving the industrial world. HOLT Group is led by a people-first approach that embraces a Values-Based Leadership model to shape its company culture and operating philosophy. This leadership style made the Holt name synonymous with innovation, quality, integrity, and legendary customer service. The heritage of HOLT Group dates back to 1933 when William K Holt Machinery Co. was founded by the Holt family as the authorized Caterpillar equipment dealer in South Texas. The company was renamed HOLT CAT, and it has grown to be the largest Cat equipment dealership in the United States. HOLT Group operates in numerous market sectors to include industrial, commercial, energy, technology, and training and development through its operating companies: HOLT CAT®, Texas First Rentals®, HOLT Truck Centers, HOLT Crane & Equipment®, HOLT Industrial Rentals, HOLT Industrial Systems, HOLT Manufacturing, HOLT Renewables, HOLT Aerial, SITECH Tejas, and Epiphany Industrial Technologies. For more information, visit HoltGrp.com. Buy Used Locations Financing Our Team is Ready to Answer Your Questions! Fill out the form and a HOLT Truck Centers representative will contact you as soon as possible.