U.S. Marines Honor Dejana Truck Equipment Founder

May 15, 2014
Peter Dejana, founder and president of Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment in Kings Park, NY, has been honored by the Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment operating out of Garden City, NY.

Peter Dejana, founder and president of Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment in Kings Park, NY, has been honored by the Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment operating out of Garden City, NY.

Gunnery Sgt. Jaime Alvarez and eight Marines in flak and Kevlar presented Dejana with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his success as a former Marine-turned-entrepreneur, as well as Dejana’s recent efforts to recruit veterans returning from active duty service.

 “You can’t imagine the disappointment after spending years serving our country, a serviceman comes home and can’t find a job,” said Peter Dejana. “It’s very deflating and he is only left to think that no one respects what he did for the country.”

Many of the principles that Dejana learned in the Marine Corps, he translated into building a successful business.

“Naturally, strong discipline comes to mind, but the Marine Corps also taught me that a team of men work better than a man of one,” he said.

Dejana also commented that the Marine Corps taught him the importance of focusing on detail, completing tasks, and that nothing is beneath anyone. He also posed the question, “Tell me where you would find a better employee?”     

Peter Dejana started Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment in 1957 shortly after returning from Korea as a Marine Corps Sergeant. He started the business as a three-bay service station in Huntington that soon began to maintain and service trucks for New York Telephone Co. Today, the company has eight facilities with over 400 employees and is one of the largest commercial truck manufacturers in the country.

For more information, visit www.dejana.com.