A Florida self storage operations director who also serves in the U.S. Navy reserves has received a promotion to commander in his reserve. Paul Feikema, the operations director for Hide-Away Storage of southwest Florida, is a veteran who has spent a total of 17 years in the Navy. Some of his years have been spent on active duty and others on reserve duty. Feikema was promoted by Captain Lewis Harrison, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Deputy Engineer, at CENTCOM Headquarters, at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The promotion was effective as of June 1.
Feikema is a Navy veteran who served in Iraq for nearly a year in 2004. He also spent much of 2009 on active duty at CENTCOM. At CENTCOM Feikema served as an engineering manager for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern locations. Prior to becoming a reserve officer, Feikema also served on active duty in Guam, Philadelphia, and Puerto Rico.
At the headquarters for Hide-Away Storage in Sarasota, Feikema is also receiving a promotion. He was already in charge of operations for 10 Hide-Away self-storage facilities, located in St. Petersburg, Ellenton, Bradenton, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and Naples. Now the management company that owns Hide-Away has asked him to manage another, separately owned facility, Xpress Storage on Fruitville Road in Sarasota, as well.
“We are delighted with Paul’s success both with Hide-Away Storage and also with the Navy,” explained Hide-Away’s managing partner, Steve Wilson, in a statement released June 17. “Handling what are, essentially, two simultaneous careers is not easy, but Paul seems to be able to accomplish this demanding task.” Wilson started Hide-Away Storage in 1977, and expanded it until it included the 10 traditional self storage facilities that Feikema operates, and two portable Mobile Storage warehouses. All in all, the company has about one million square feet of storage space, and provides full-service moving of household goods. In addition, Hide-Away provides chaplain services.
Sources used:
Hide-Away Storage.
“Hide-Away Storage operations director promoted to Navy commander.” Inside Self-Storage. June 17, 2010.
“Operations director promoted to Navy commander.” StreetInsider.com. June 17, 2010.