Former Owner & Chairman, Morbark Industries
Lon Morey’s family business, Morbark, Inc., was established by his father in 1957. Lon served as the former chairman of the board at Morbark from 1997 until 2016. The company is the leading manufacturer of heavy equipment for the forestry, sawmill, tree care and recycling industries.
When he was eight years old, Lon helped to lay the concrete foundation for the first Morbark plant in Isabella County, Michigan. He held numerous positions at Morbark, spending time in the company’s parts department and in payroll and benefits before taking over as President from 1997 to 2011.
Focused on employee development, Lon was instrumental in arranging for opportunities for his employees to take part in the company’s success. He implemented numerous professional development trainings and initiated several partnerships which are still in place today. Through “Lunch with Lon,” he was able to spend time with employees at every level at Morbark, and used their feedback to set the company of the course for success.
In 1990, the Morey family started the Morey Foundation, which has served as one of mid-Michigan’s largest charitable funding sources, supporting a wide range of local projects which make the region an enjoyable an rewarding place to live, work and play. Since 2005, the foundation has contributed over $18 million to various programs including education initiatives, youth activities, life enrichment for the elderly, and community health and development.
Under Lon’s leadership as President, the foundation has also established the Norval K. Morey Cancer Center at McLaren Central Michigan Community Hospital, in addition to opening a charter public school. The Isabella Sportsplex recreation center, supported by the foundation, is home to Morey Courts’ basketball, volleyball and fitness center.
Lon was instrumental in supporting the Mackinac Center for Public Policy-an initiative his father, Norval Morey, also supported-through the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative in 2005. The initiative champions private-sector economic development and works to limit taxation and reduce government outlays.
*All biographical information is only current up to the date of the award.
