UPDATE: Click to see Milton Butler III Military Appreciation Video published May 13, 2024.
We’re delighted to announce that Milton Butler III, a 21-year Navy Veteran, will be featured in our 2nd Annual Military Appreciation Interview Series. He is a member of the Chamber’s Minority Empowerment Program.
Butler retired from the Navy in 2017, after serving as an engineering officer. Most days at sea, his “office” was the propulsion plant where his job was to check on all the engineering systems. His military career also included time at the helm navigating the ship during deployments and as a financial manager during “shore duty.” During his interview with the Chamber for National Military Appreciation Month, Butler talked about his pivot from Navy officer to co-owner of a trucking business.
It turns out a crucial conversation with his wife Lelia and her brother, Marvin Gary, was the spark that eventually became Butler & Gary Logistics. “He was in the trucking industry. My wife has a mathematics degree,” explained Butler, “With my background in engineering and financial management, we decided to bring all our skill sets together, writing a business plan thinking, from cradle-to-grave, what this would look like.” Butler's brother-in-law, Marvin Gary, retired from the Army's Special Forces. With their shared military experience, both veterans jumped into the business foxhole together with Lelia's strong analytical and mathematical mind right there with them.
Butler & Gary Logistics launched in February 2022. A year later, it was handpicked by the Chamber and MEP sponsors to begin the year-long program in 2024. The veteran-owned company specializes in long distance freight transportation services, growing from one semi-tractor to a fleet of three and clients that include Amazon. “We are looking to move into government contracting as well,” explained Butler who is looking to the Chamber’s MEP program to help with that, as well as grow other areas of their business.
Butler & Gary Logistics' Founders, (L to R) Marvin Gary, Lelia Butler & Milton Butler III.
Butler recommends service members transitioning to civilian careers start preparing early - twelve to eighteen months prior to separation from the military. Do research on what you might want to do after the service, he says. Talk to people and get involved in the community, is another piece of advice that served him well. You never know which conversation leads to that next great chapter in your life. Stay tuned for the video series coming to Military Bay, USA!
In the meantime, here's what the Navy veteran turned business owner says about being a part of the Chamber's Minority Empowerment Program.
“It (MEP) has opened so many doors to networking, business networking and community networking events,” said Butler. “It helps us to grow our bandwidth. We’re learning different strategies and concepts.” Butler and his wife Lelia, both MEP entrepreneurs, are also asking a lot of questions! “How did you get started in your business? What are some do’s and don’ts? My wife just went to a Chamber event yesterday morning and she left with people’s contact information! She’s staying in touch with individuals she’s met at other Chamber networking events!”
Here's one of the photos Milton Butler sent us from his days in the Navy. He titled it "A Really Bad Day at Sea". That's an understatement. Check out the wave kissing the bow of the ship and the waves pouring on to the deck from the sides!