Early Life
Mark V. Shoen was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1951. He is the son of Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty, the founders of U-Haul. Growing up, Shoen was one of twelve children. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross.
Rise to Success
Shoen's career is deeply intertwined with the family business, U-Haul. He serves as the Vice-President of the company and is the largest shareholder in Amerco, the parent company of U-Haul. Shoen's journey to becoming a prominent figure in the business world was not without challenges, including a contentious family dispute over control of U-Haul. In 1986, Mark and his brothers Joe and James took control of the company. From 1990, he served as the President of U-Haul for 16 years.
Key Business Strategies
Shoen's strategies have focused on expanding U-Haul's market presence and modernizing its operations. His leadership was instrumental in navigating the company through the challenges of the fuel crisis and the post-war Baby Boom. Shoen has also overseen the growth of U-Haul's self-storage facilities.
Philanthropy
Mark Shoen has been known to contribute to various Catholic charities.