Former Aerospace Pro Finds Solid Ground in Excavation

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.