Mike Gainor, Carolina Handling (Executive Perspective, Episode 11)
Executive Perspective host Danny Vander Maten welcomed Mike Gaynor to discuss his work at Carolina Handling. The discussion covered Gaynor’s career journey from Auburn University to leading sales and marketing at Carolina Handling, a company specializing in warehouse automation and material handling solutions. They delved into the impact of COVID-19 on business operations, the rise of AI and automation in the industry, and the company’s rapid growth and adaptation to the booming demand for warehousing in the Southeast. Gaynor also shared insights into Carolina Handling’s service model, the benefits of having Toyota as a parent company, and the company’s commitment to philanthropy and community engagement.
Executive Perspective is underwritten and presented by Cresa Atlanta. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Mike Gainor, Executive Vice President, Carolina Handling
Mike Gainor was named Executive Vice President of Sales at Carolina Handling, LLC in April 2019. He joined the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company in 2010 as a sales representative, and the next year, he was promoted to regional sales manager, overseeing the company’s Georgia, Alabama and Florida regions. He was named vice president of sales in 2016.
In his current role, Gainor oversees Carolina Handling’s sales and marketing teams and the company’s Intralogistics Solution Group, a team of consultants and engineers that design and install integrated, automated solutions for warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers.
Prior to joining Carolina Handling, Gainor worked for five years in a variety of sales and operations roles for Penske Truck Leasing.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gainor spent most of his childhood in Miami, Florida. A graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Gainor resides in Fayetteville, Georgia, with his wife, Haley, and their children, Kendall, Grayson, Ford and Jack.
Carolina Handling
Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading material handling solution providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory. The company provides lift trucks and automation solutions for warehouses and distribution centers, as well as parts, racking, storage, lighting and dock and door equipment.
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Carolina Handling operates branch offices in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Greensboro, NC, Raleigh, NC and Greenville, SC, and an Equipment Distribution Center in Piedmont, SC. The company has more than 780 associates.
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Topics Discussed in this Interview
00:00 Welcome to Executive Perspective
00:52 Introducing Mike Gaynor from Carolina Handling
01:14 Mike Gaynor’s Journey: From Auburn to Carolina Handling
03:28 The Evolution of Carolina Handling
04:37 Adapting to Industry Booms and Challenges
13:04 The Impact of AI and Automation on the Industry
23:00 Carolina Handling’s Philanthropic Efforts
26:24 Personal Insights and Future Aspirations
28:43 Wrapping Up with Final Thoughts
30:09 Closing Remarks and Credits
About Executive Perspective
Executive Perspective features executives and business leaders from a wide variety of sectors. Host Danny Vander Maten and his guests cover industry trends, insights, challenges, success strategies and lessons learned. Executive Perspective is underwritten and presented by Cresa. The show series is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® and can be found on all the major podcast apps. A complete show archive can be found here.
Executive Perspective
Danny joined Cresa in the Spring of 2016 and brought a diverse background with nearly 10 years of experience in finance, business operations, and strategy to his client’s real estate transactions.
At Cresa, Danny’s primary responsibilities include strategic planning, lease analysis, negotiations, and cost mitigation. As a registered Certified Public Accountant with an active license in the state of Georgia, Danny provides unique financial insight into every critical aspect of the transaction.
Cresa is the world’s most trusted occupier-centric commercial real estate firm. They strategize for the best possible results for occupiers everywhere. Cresa thinks beyond space. Partner without conflict. And apply their integrated expertise to make your business better.
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