If you’ve been part of a commercial move that went smoothly, you already know there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make that possible. Mike Murphy helps lead that effort every day as JK’s Director of Operations for the Commercial division. He’s been with JK for five years, but he’s spent 33 years in the commercial moving industry, which gives him a rare ability to spot problems early, keep teams aligned, and stay calm when plans change midstream.
How Mike got here
Mike’s path into moving wasn’t planned, it was more of a “life happens” moment.
After college, he joined the US Marine Corps, fully expecting it to be his long-term career. An injury during service brought him to the DMV area for recovery and rehab. While still on active duty, he took a part-time job to support that recovery and chose a moving company. That’s where it clicked. He found he loved the pace, the variety, and the problem-solving that comes with the work.
In his words, “there is something new everyday, a new challenge every day.” That’s what still pulls him in each morning.
Why JK?
What drew Mike to JK is especially telling, because for most of his career he was working for other moving companies.
He admired the way JK carried itself, and he noticed the culture in action. When he’d see a JK truck on a job site, he’d stop by to observe (his words: he was “spying”). Today, his only regret is that he didn’t make the move to JK sooner.
A point of pride
Mike measures commitment in a very Mike way. One of the things he’s most proud of is that he has never called out sick, not once, from his time in the USMC through today.
Mike’s advice for someone new to the field
Mike is straightforward about commercial moving – it’s rewarding, but it’s not always easy.
His advice is to be patient and stay the course. Work-life balance can be a challenge at times, and progress doesn’t always happen as quickly as people want. But if you focus on doing the right things, saying the right things, and keeping the priority where it belongs, on customer service, it adds up over time.
What he’s working toward next
Mike’s goal isn’t just personal, it’s generational. He wants to be a strong example for younger professionals entering the industry, helping them avoid the mistakes he made early on and reach their goals faster than he did.
Mike Murphy outside of work
Mike is married and has a big family: five kids and four grandkids.
When he’s off the clock, you’ll probably find him in his yard. In winter, he’s decorating for Christmas. The rest of the year, it’s landscaping and outdoor projects. He also loves building things and working with wood, and he’ll be the first to tell you he’s a novice, but that doesn’t stop him from taking on the next project.
A story that stuck with him
If you ask Mike what’s impacted him most, he points to Rudy (both the book and the movie). The message is simple and it matches how he works: Stay the course and don’t give up.
If you’re interested in a career with JK Moving or know someone who might be, please visit our Careers site for more information!