Doug Sibila is the CEO of Peoples Services Inc. — the parent company of Total Distribution Inc. and Peoples Cartage Inc. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1983 and the University of Notre Dame in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree and a double major in business administration and accounting and finance.
Today, he and his wife Strayer live in Plain Township. The couple have two daughters, Helen and Kathryn, and a cat named Goldie. They just lost their 14-year-old dog, Maggie.
Sibila started his career with People Services by spending summers and breaks through college moving furniture, working in the warehouse and when old enough, he drove a truck.
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“After I graduated college, I worked three years with Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) as a staff and senior analyst and during my last year there, I worked with the Strategic Services Logistics practice in New York City,” he said. “Upon returning to Peoples Services in 1990, I spent time in West Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia, running our moving operations before returning to Canton in 1992. I took over sales and marketing and then took over as CEO in 2000 when Max Blair retired. We now have a professional management team, which I lead.”
The company is a regional asset-based third-party logistics company with over 650 employees operating 8 million square feet over 45 locations in seven states — Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.
“We act as the distribution center for our customers. We handle a variety of products including ketchup, ice cream, aluminum truck wheels, construction materials, plastics, chemicals, pet products, aluminum cans, cigars and consumer products,” Sibila said. “We operate 80 tractors and over 300 trailers and are in the top 30 warehouse companies in the United States according to Transport Topics.”
You recently were one of the Ohio executives to receive the 2022 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award recognizing you and your company as one of the 50 smartest companies in Northeast Ohio. Would you share what that means to you and your family?
It means more to the company and employees in recognition of the growth and success we have had in the last 12 years.
How does it feel to be able to successfully carry forward your family business as a third-generation member?
It is an honor and an obligation to the legacy of my grandfather and grandmother who started a moving company in 1936 and that my uncle and father continued.
I am very fortunate to have the example and foundation that my father left for us to build upon when I became CEO.
Which family member started TDI and what other family members have been at the helm?
My grandfather Ray Sibila started Sibila Trucking in 1936 with one truck, after losing his garage repair business during the Depression. He moved in with his uncle Adam and aunt Marie along with his three kids, Jean, Don and Ron.
He purchased Peoples Cartage Inc. in 1946 from the Schrader family, who had started Peoples in 1914. After Ray retired in the 1970s, his oldest son, Don Sibila became president. In 1986, my father, Ron Sibila bought out his brother.
It was in 1986 we started the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Currently, the employees own 20% of the company. Max Blair was CEO from 1992 until he retired in 2000 when I was named CEO. Ron Sibila is still chairman of the board.
You were also recognized with a specialty award for TDI’s sustainability in business. Why is it important to you to be committed to growth and sustainability in the communities where your company operates?
It has always been part of our DNA to be involved in the communities where we operate. We live and play where we work, and we have a moral obligation to leave our community better than we found it. We need to grow or risk not being around for long.
What stands out to you about how businesses operate in Stark County?
We have great people in Stark County with solid integrity and a strong work ethic. I am proud of this area and what it has to offer.
We have a tradition of helping each other, not for recognition but because it is the right thing to do. People do not put on airs or are too flashy, they treat other people the way they want to be treated, regardless of where they come from or what they can do for someone.
Editor’s note: Five questions with … is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you’d like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.