History

L.G. "Mac" Matheny founded Matheny Motor Truck Company in 1922. In 1908, at the age of 22, Mac left central West Virginia and arrived in Parkersburg to attend Mountain State Business College. Upon completing his education in 1911, Mac was hired by International Harvester Company. Mac remained with International Harvester until 1922 when he became the International Harvester dealer. Mac was actively involved in the dealership until 1962.

Mac's son, Paul Matheny, a graduate from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1933, joined Matheny Motors in 1952. Prior to joining Matheny's, Paul worked for International Harvester until 1941, at which time he returned to Parkersburg to work for Corning Glass. In 1946, Mac & Paul purchased Litman Motor Freight, with Paul running this company until 1952. During his tenure at Matheny Motors, Paul also served as President of the WV Turnpike Commission, President of the West Virginia Motor Truck Association, and President of the Parkersburg Rotary Club. Paul retired from the dealership in 1984.

Mike Matheny, third generation, joined Matheny Motors in 1969 after working for Enjay's Fibers and Laminates division of Exxon Corporation in Odenton, Maryland. Prior to this, Mike graduated from West Virginia University School of Business. Mike has held various National Dealer council positions for both General Motors and Volvo Trucks of North America. Mike is past President of the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association and was the American Truck Dealers Line Rep for General Motors. Mike is the C.E.O. of Matheny Motor Truck Company.

The fourth generation of the Matheny Family joined the company in June 1988 with Mike's daughter, Marni Matheny Kepple as Treasurer along with her husband Dave Kepple, Vice President. Both Marni and Dave graduated from West Virginia's School of Business - with Marni in accounting and Dave in management. Prior to joining Matheny Motors, Marni was employed by the General Accounting Office in Washington D.C. (Marni is a C.P.A.) and Dave was employed by the Southland Corporation managing ten 7-11 stores in Northern Virginia. Dave is also Vice President and Co-Owner of Matheny Leasing, a Full Service Leasing Company and a NationaLease Member.

June 1991 marked the addition of Tim Matheny, Mike's son. Tim graduated from Indiana University's School of business in Bloomington, Indiana with a B.S. in Marketing. While attending Indiana University, Tim worked at Curry Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC under the supervision of dealer Cary Curry. Tim is also a graduate of NADA/ATD Dealer Candidate Academy in McLean, VA. Tim is President of Matheny Motor Truck Company and President of Matheny Leasing, Inc.

Matheny Motor Truck Company started with International Harvester Company in 1922 and sold their products until 1962. In 1956, GMC Trucks was added and that relationship continues to this day. In January 1988, the Volvo Truck franchise was acquired and November 1997 marked the addition of the Buick line of Automobiles to team up with light duty GMC trucks.

In the spring of 2001, Matheny's added Jerr-Dan Wrecker Bodies and Rollbacks. In 2003, Matheny's became the Thomas Built Bus Distributor for West Virginia, marking the end of a 13 year relationship with The Blue Bird Bus Corporation.

A recent addition to the Matheny Motor Truck Co. line-up of vehicles was the purchase of Suzuki in late 2005. Matheny Suzuki recently completed a new showroom in 2007 to house Suzuki. The showroom was designed in accordance with the National Suzuki Square Image Program.

April 2007, Matheny Motors opened Matheny Jerr-Dan in Woodbridge, Virginia. Located 8 miles south of the Washington D.C. Beltway along Interstate 95, Matheny Jerr-Dan was Virginia and Washington D.C.'s Exclusive Jerr-Dan Distributor. The facility occupies three acres and includes a State-of Art 10,000 Square Foot Facility. With two Locations, Matheny Jerr-Dan became one of Jerr-Dan Corporation's Largest Volume Towing Equipment Distributors in the U.S.

August 2007; saw the addition of the Hino Truck Franchise. Hino Trucks, A Toyota owned corporation, is a great addition to Matheny's Commercial Truck Operation. Hino Truck Manufacturing recently opened its first East Coast Manufacturing Facility located in Williamstown, WV, 15 miles from Matheny Hino's Truck Dealership. Matheny is proud to sell Hino Trucks that are built in West Virginia by West Virginians!

Matheny purchased the Pontiac franchise in November 2007. Matheny Pontiac-Buick-GMC became the Sales Volume Leader in the Mid-Ohio Valley among all five GM Dealers in Parkersburg and Marietta, OH.

November 2007, Matheny Motors purchased the former Benson Truck Manufacturing facility located in Mineral Wells, WV. The facility is located on 20 Acres located at Interstate 77/Mineral Wells Exit and adjacent to the areas two largest truck stops. Matheny's Commercial Truck Division opened in this facility March 10, 2008. With 50,000 square feet under roof, including (13) 70 foot truck repair bays, Matheny Motors expects tremendous growth for our Commercial Franchises.

December 2007, Matheny Motors expanded its commercial truck line with the addition of Isuzu Commercial Trucks. Isuzu is the industry leader in the Low-Cab Forward Truck Segment and Matheny is excited to represent Isuzu in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

October 2009, Matheny Motors Factory Outlet opens in Marietta, Ohio. This location sits on 5 acres and specializes in pre-owned vehicle sales and service.

March 2010, Matheny Motors PROUDLY became a Full-Line Miller Industries Distributor. This marked the end of Matheny's Jerr-Dan relationship. Matheny now sells and services the following Miller towing and recovery products; Century, Vulcan, Chevron, Holmes, Challenger, Champion, and Titan Equipment. Our area of responsibility covers Northern VA, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Ohio.

The original location of Matheny Motors remains a vital part of our current operation. Over the past decade, adjacent property has been purchased on both sides of the original facility in order to sustain the company's rapid growth. With over 50,000 square feet under roof occupying over 6 acres our main facility is a focal point of downtown Parkersburg. Matheny's collision center is located one mile from the dealership and is housed in a 10,000 square foot facility.

With the third and fourth generation owners involved in the daily operation of business, Matheny Motors has over 125 full time employees. The entire Matheny family looks forward to meeting each customer and providing the best sales and service experience you will ever find in an Automobile, Truck, Bus, and Wrecker dealership - That's our pledge.