A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Youngstown Kenworth proudly marked 50 years of service to the trucking community in Northeast Ohio with a special evening honoring the company’s legacy, employees, and customers. The anniversary celebration included a dinner, awards ceremony, and an open bar, bringing together employees, partners, and industry friends to recognize five decades of dedication to quality, reliability, and customer service.
Founded in 1972 by Tomiel Mikes,, Youngstown Kenworth has grown into a trusted provider of Kenworth trucks, parts, and service solutions. Over the years, the company has built a reputation for dependable equipment, expert service, and a focus on the people behind the trucks, supporting generations of owner-operators and fleet professionals across the region.
Honoring Employees and Supporting the Local Economy
A highlight of the celebration was the employee awards ceremony, honoring team members with 30 years of service and dedication. Their commitment reflects the values Youngstown Kenworth was built on: hard work, expertise, and loyalty to both the company and its customers.
Reaching 50 years in business is a milestone we couldn’t have achieved without our incredible employees and loyal customers. Tonight was about celebrating the people who have driven our success for decades and the partnerships that keep us moving forward.
Tomiel Mikes, Chairman of Youngstown Kenworth
Beyond its workforce, Youngstown Kenworth’s operations have a significant local economic impact, creating many skilled jobs, supporting regional suppliers, and contributing to the strength of Northeast Ohio’s industrial and transportation economy. The company’s investments in facilities, technology, and employee development have helped sustain the local workforce and maintain the area’s reputation as a hub for trucking and logistics.
The evening blended recognition with camaraderie, featuring dinner, awards, and an open bar, giving staff and partners the opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead. As Youngstown Kenworth enters its next 50 years, the company remains dedicated to providing top-quality Kenworth trucks, parts, and service, while fostering the culture, expertise, and community impact that have been the cornerstone of its success.
The evening was also to celebrate Tomiel “Big Tom” Mikes — a man who built one of the most loyal and enduring Kenworth dealerships in North America through sheer grit and an unwavering commitment to his customers. Through boom and bust cycles, recessions, and decades of industry consolidation, Tom led with quiet consistency, never wavering and never selling out. His reach was legendary — selling trucks across the country and around the world, including to the King of Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm to haul anti-aircraft missile launchers. Over 50 years, Tom turned a single-location dealership in Youngstown, Ohio into the last and oldest independent Kenworth dealer in North America. That’s not just a distinction — it’s a testament to the man who built it, and the team that stood beside him every step of the way.
