President of Southeastern Equipment announces retirement

Charles K. Patterson, president at Cambridge, Ohio-based Southeastern Equipment Co., Inc., has announced his retirement after 46 years with the company. Southeastern Equipment sells, services and rents heavy machinery in 18 locations throughout Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana. Over his tenure, Patterson held a variety of positions, including sales representative, branch manager, regional manager, and vice president, before becoming president in 2009. 

“Being part of the Southeastern Equipment family for nearly 50 years has been amazing,” Patterson says in a written statement. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life and spending time with my wife, Denise, our kids and our grandchildren.” 

Southeastern Equipment’s owner and founder, William Baker, originally hired Patterson after he graduated from Ohio University in Athens.

“Charlie has been a loyal and constant partner in growing our company,” Baker says. “I consider him a close friend, and we have been through a lot together. The entire Southeastern family wishes him the best.” 

Patterson and Baker have selected Mickey Gourley to fill the role of president, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Gourley joined Southeastern Equipment in 1999 as an outside sales representative after earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Muskingham University in New Concord, Ohio. Southeastern Equipment says he quickly moved into increasing levels of management and responsibility after demonstrating his commitment to the company’s customers and products. He was promoted to regional manager in 2011 and then to vice president in 2016. With 20 years of experience in sales and customer service, he is uniquely positioned to provide the leadership required for continued growth.

While serving as regional manager and vice president, Mickey worked closely with Patterson to oversee all vendor relations. He controlled and planned equipment inventory, developing extensive knowledge of the product lines, and lead multiple groups within Southeastern.

“Mickey is a great member of our leadership team, and we work well together,” says Thor Hess, the executive vice president at Southeastern Equipment. “I’m very happy with Charlie’s and my grandfather’s decision. I have big plans for my family's company, and I am excited to work with Mickey as we build Southeastern’s future.”