Gainey out at company he founded

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Harvey Gainey Sr. is no longer part of the management team at the company he founded, he told 24 Hour News 8, and Carl Ooosterhouse was let go in a move made by the new owners of the company.

In November, a federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale of West Michigan trucking firm Gainey Corporation to a Minnesota-based investment firm Wayzata Capital for $77.8 million.

Under terms of the sale, Wayzata had to buy the firm before the end of 2009.

Human Resources director Katherine Cramer was also cut, as well as two other employees.

Gainey becomes Chairman Emeritus. He told 24 Hour News 8 he will keep an office at the headquarters, but owns no part of the company, no financial interest or stock, or the property on which the headquarters sits.

He does own the property at several other Gainey locations.

"I'm 67. This is wonderful for me," he said. "I have not made any real plans. I'm going to take a lot of time off."

Asked about Oosterhouse's ouster, he said, "I'm fine with it. It's none of my business. I know nothng about it." He previously described Oosterhouse as his "number two man."

Gainey's son, Buddy will not be directly associated with the company. But he will work as an outside contractor working on a commission basis in sales. No other Gainey family member is part of the company.

When asked if Wayzata willl spin the company off, Gainey said he didn't think it would do it right away. "The private investment group, I think, will do very well with the company," he said.

24 Hour News 8 attempted to reach Carl Oosterhouse. He did not return our calls.

24 Hour News 8's Suzanne Geha contributed to this story.