Caley Edgerly has spent 31 years working in the commercial vehicle space. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, he began his career working for Detroit Diesel, which was bought by Daimler Trucks in 2000. Over the course of his time at the company, he held roles in engineering, production, design, and remanufacturing. In 2012, he stepped into the role of vice president of operations for Thomas Built Buses and became president and CEO of the company in 2015. In 2021, he transitioned to president and CEO of Sonny Merryman, a transportation company that delivers thousands of buses across Virginia.

1. What made you interested in engineering and manufacturing? 

My father worked as an auto body technician. He earned a degree midlife and begin teaching auto body classes while still owning a shop. 

Growing up in an auto body environment and working for my dad taught me that I like vehicles and engineering. However, I didn’t enjoy working on repairing them.

I chose the engineering route, which I’d always been fascinated with. I enjoy numbers and science and bringing the two together. A lot of engineers care about how things work, and I always had that curiosity. 

2. What is your favorite part of your role as president and CEO of Sonny Merryman? 

Getting customers equipped in new buses is always a lot of fun. The segment of customers I work with are middle-class, hard-working people who are fun to hang out with and do business with.

I also enjoy the employee base and culture the Merrymans’ built here. My fellow employees are focused on taking care of customers and putting a smile on a person's face. 

It's a great culture to be a part of. 

3. What projects are you currently working on at Sonny Merryman?  

We continue to be active in the electric vehicle space. Electric vehicles are popular within school districts as they can operate three or four hours, charge, and then operate another three or four hours in the afternoon with zero emissions.

There are a lot of product changes we're dealing with, from new powertrains so we can meet emission requirements, to new electronics and technology on all of our vehicles. 

Also, the commercial bus business in the state of Virginia has been tremendous over the last two to three years with large orders for transit agencies in central Virginia, Arlington, and greater Richmond. 

One order is for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. We're in the midst of delivering over 300 Braun lift-equipped vans in a two-year period. 

4. What are you most excited to learn or do as a GO Virginia Region 2 council member?  

The entrepreneurial aspects excite me. Despite working for a large company for 27 years, I always worked in small divisions where we were encouraged to think independently, run our business as our own, explore, question everything, and create more jobs.  

Throughout my career in six different states, there's always a shortage of hands-on, high-degree talent. To be able to push workforce development is exciting to me as well. 

5. What is your favorite part of living in Virginia and being involved in Region 2?  

My daughter is a freshman at Virginia Tech. We're enjoying the athletic and academic events at the university. As a family, we like doing business in Roanoke and the vibe of the city. 

I love the eclectic feel of the businesses and the retail shops in the City of Lynchburg and have enjoyed working with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. 

I've lived in a number of different regions over my career and hope Virginia is the last one. I’ve lived here for four years and enjoy the business environment, the communities, and the people immensely. 

6. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 

“Effort equals results.” I received this advice from Roger Penske, who owned Detroit Diesel when I first worked there. Always work hard, be proud of your effort, and the results will follow. As my career has gone on, I’ve run into instances where we put effort into a specific project or initiative but don't get the results we feel we deserve. In situations like these, I offer words of encouragement: “The outcome isn't what we planned, but it's not due to our collective passion and effort to get it done.” 

7. What activities and hobbies do you like to do in your spare time? 

I have four daughters who are all post high school and a wife, so I spend a lot of time with the ladies. 

When I'm not with any of my ladies, I like going hunting, fishing, driving cars, playing golf, and going to baseball games and other athletic events.

8. What is a favorite book that you would recommend? 

I would recommend The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt and Jeff Cox, which focuses on lean manufacturing and process control. 

Another classic is Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't by Jim Collins. You can't be satisfied with where you're at. You need to always be hungry for your organization and looking for ways to improve yourself and your team.