- Home
- Company
- News & Media
- Bobcat Stories
- Former Aerospace Pro Finds Solid Ground in Excavation
Former Aerospace Pro Finds Solid Ground in Excavation
Posted on December 15, 2021
Despite test-driving countless loaders and excavators over his career, Dwight Messick of MH Services always comes back to Bobcat machines. “The T870s are so powerful. It’s unbelievable what that small of a machine can do.”
Why did a former up-and-comer at one of the world’s leading aerospace engineering companies pull his head out of the clouds and pursue a career in excavation?
“I love getting into Bobcat® machines and digging in dirt,” says Dwight Messick.
As the owner of a thriving residential and commercial excavation company, you could say Dwight certainly landed on solid ground. He attributes much of the success of his company, MH Services, in Northern Virginia, to his trio of Bobcat T870 compact track loaders.
“It’s like grabbing your computer when you go to work,” says Dwight. “The T870 is that piece of equipment that makes me the most money and provides for my family.”
But finding his professional footing in excavation wasn’t always part of his master plan. In fact, he had other lofty aspirations.
Unique breeding grounds for a future business owner
Dwight’s enterprising mindset was instilled early in his career at Lockheed Martin, one of the world’s leading security and aerospace companies. Shortly after joining the global corporation, he was accepted into their leadership development program, an exclusive group that gave Dwight exposure to some of Lockheed Martin’s top leaders, such as Marillyn Hewson, current strategic advisor to the CEO.
As a Six Sigma company, Lockheed Martin provided Dwight a unique training ground to hone his mechanical and management skills. He completed six-month rotations across various disciplines, including manufacturing, procurement and floor assembly. The experience taught him a valuable professional lesson that would fuel his future endeavors: “There’s a place for everything and everything has its place.”
Dwight eventually earned a Lockheed Martin supervisory position that saw him lead an award-winning team. Coupled with his technical know-how, his aerospace management position made him a better problem solver, the skills of which come in handy as a business owner today. “If there are hiccups involved, I can always work through them,” says Dwight.
After a rewarding eight-year career at Lockheed Martin, Dwight left to pursue his lifelong goal of running his own business. He started a truck accessory business before selling it to manage dozens of rental properties.
That’s where his love for Bobcat machines was born.
“I was either borrowing or renting their loaders for grading and other dirt work, and installing culverts,” says Dwight. Everything from technology to toughness, and comfort to paint color left Dwight thinking one thing. “Bobcat is number one.”
His love for operating earth-moving Bobcat machines combined with a passion for entrepreneurship naturally led him to start MH Services, Northern Virginia’s premier excavation company
Compact Bobcat machines are company’s workhorse
Dwight loves the versatility of his Bobcat T870 compact loaders and their attachments, which equip his seven-person team with the tools needed to tackle almost any job. “We do a lot of farms and work out in the country. We do storm sewers for HOAs. We do driveways.”
Despite test-driving countless loaders and excavators over his career, Dwight always comes back to Bobcat machines. “The T870s are so powerful. It’s unbelievable what that small of a machine can do.” While compact in size, Dwight says the T870’s large frame and bigger, deeper bucket allows him to get more done onsite, especially on woody terrain.
I treat the Bobcat machines more like somebody would treat their sportscar.
Dwight Messick
Owner, MH Services
A self-proclaimed techie who installed the audio and lighting systems at his former truck accessory business, Dwight loves the comfort and ergonomics of his Bobcat loaders’ air-ride seats and easy-to-navigate controls and displays. “It really is a plush vehicle for what it does.”
Good people make for one great grind
Dwight’s divergent career path obviously paid off for not only himself, but also for his MH Services’ team and their customers. “Going from a corporate environment with 40,000 employees to this, where it’s me and seven guys, just doesn’t feel like a job,” boasts Dwight. “We’ve been blessed that our business has grown substantially without having to advertise. So many customers have heard the good word about us and it’s spread.”
That passion and appreciation for doing business with good people is evident in Dwight’s relationship with his local Bobcat dealer, Barbara Minor at Bobcat of Northern Virginia. “They’re absolutely amazing and I can call or text them any time. They get right back to me and are always able to solve my service and product needs.”
It’s a prime example of the motto that drives Dwight’s business: Jobs may come and go, but good people shouldn’t.
More Recent Stories
View All Stories- Houston-Based Sweetwater Farms HTX Combines Agriculture with Education
Houston-Based Sweetwater Farms HTX Combines Agriculture with Education
With the help of volunteers, friends, and a brand-new Bobcat® compact tractor, Chaz Daughtry is taking the Houston agriculture scene by storm. - Bobcat Mowers Expands CLK Lawn Care and Landscaping Business
Bobcat Mowers Expands CLK Lawn Care and Landscaping Business
Cody Kuebler started CLK Lawn Care and Landscaping at the age of 11, he expanded his business with two Bobcat ZS4000 Mowers and now his team only uses Bobcat mowers. - Omaha Contractors Provide Tornado Relief with Bobcat Equipment
Omaha Contractors Provide Tornado Relief with Bobcat Equipment
Local contractors in Omaha, Nebraska, including Ideal Construction and Mitera Landscaping, rallied with Bobcat machines to aid in tornado cleanup and community support. - Bobcat Compact Tractor Provides Solace for Mobile Crisis Clinician
Bobcat Compact Tractor Provides Solace for Mobile Crisis Clinician
Therese Swift, a mobile crisis clinician, mitigates work stress by tending to her horses and mules, with her Bobcat CT4045 compact tractor aiding in the upkeep. - Shades of Green Nursery Unites Community with Bobcat Equipment
Shades of Green Nursery Unites Community with Bobcat Equipment
At Shades of Green Nursery, founder Julie Holland uses Bobcat equipment to unite the community in Celina, Texas with inclusive gardening practices that support the local ecosystem. - JJC Tree Services LLC Grows with Bobcat Equipment
JJC Tree Services LLC Grows with Bobcat Equipment
John Shreaves of JJC Tree Services LLC launched and grew his business with his Bobcat compact track loaders and attachments to help him accomplish more. - Bobcat and RADshare Partner for Youth BMX Opportunities
Bobcat and RADshare Partner for Youth BMX Opportunities
Bobcat Company is supporting co-founders Steve Crandall and Nate Hanger of RADshare with Bobcat Equipment to provide opportunities for the youth to dive into the world of BMX. - Julie Rummer – Bobcat $25k Backyard Makeover Winner
Julie Rummer – Bobcat $25k Backyard Makeover Winner
After a tragic accident Julie Rummer's backyard was inaccessible and now thanks to Bobcat’s backyard makeover contest, it is an oasis, reigniting her outdoor passion. - Bobcat Leasing Program Provides Reliability for GBH Enterprises
Bobcat Leasing Program Provides Reliability for GBH Enterprises
Reliability and appearances are important on high-profile jobs. That’s why GBH Enterprises chooses two-year leases to ensure a modern fleet for every project. - Bobcat Joystick Controls Enable Mario Coss’ Dream
Bobcat Joystick Controls Enable Mario Coss’ Dream
Bobcat machines with joystick controls enabled Mario Coss to fulfill his dream to be a business owner, even after a crash that changed his life in an instant.
What’s Your Bobcat Story?
Taking on big, ambitious challenges is what being One Tough Animal® is all about. Tell us how Bobcat empowers or inspires you to accomplish more. Whether it’s at work, at play or in life, share your story with us.
Share Your Story