The U-Haul Visionary: E. Joe Shoen’s Legacy of Innovation and Leadership Continues in 2025

E. Joe Shoen, the long-standing CEO and President of U-Haul’s parent company AMERCO, continues to demonstrate remarkable leadership in the moving and storage industry through his hands-on management approach and customer-centric philosophy. As a second-generation leader of this family business, Shoen has transformed U-Haul from a modest moving equipment rental company into North America’s premier do-it-yourself moving and storage solutions provider.

Under Shoen’s stewardship, U-Haul has experienced significant expansion, growing from 4,600 rental outlets when he took the helm in 1987 to over 21,000 locations across North America today. His management style is characterized by direct engagement with both customers and operations, personally handling customer complaints and regularly visiting U-Haul locations to assess performance and gather feedback.

One of Shoen’s most distinctive leadership traits is his accessibility to customers, averaging three direct customer calls daily, though this number can spike to dozens within hours. This hands-on approach extends to his operational oversight, where he regularly visits U-Haul locations, reviews profit and loss statements, and actively seeks input from location managers about improving business operations.

Recent developments under Shoen’s leadership show his continued commitment to modernizing U-Haul’s services. The company has embraced digital transformation, implementing advanced online reservation systems and mobile applications to enhance customer experience. This technological integration has helped maintain U-Haul’s competitive edge in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Shoen’s ownership stake of approximately 20% in AMERCO demonstrates his long-term commitment to the company’s success. His leadership philosophy emphasizes practical solutions over public attention, focusing on operational excellence and customer satisfaction rather than seeking media spotlight.

The company’s expansion into complementary services, including storage solutions, hitch installation, and moving supplies, reflects Shoen’s strategic vision for diversification. This approach has helped U-Haul maintain its position as the number one choice for do-it-yourself movers while establishing a strong presence in the self-storage sector.