About

What Moves Us

We are a global company with local values. What started with a single truck in 1921 in Cincinnati, Ohio has become a third-generation, family-owned business. Our goal is to move our customers to their next big milestone. Whether that's helping a person move one block or solving complex supply chain problems, we're here to help you move forward with confidence. 100 Year Logo

Our Leadership

Our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you with your next big challenge.

Planes leaders
John Planes

CEO

John Planes

John Planes is a third-generation owner of Planes Companies. His grandfather founded the company in 1921, and John has been part of the relocation industry since the late 1960s, working alongside his father as a child.

In the late 1970s, John became the youngest person to serve on the Board of Directors for Global Van Lines at age 31. He did so until Planes became a United Van Lines agent/owner in 1981. For 20 years, Mr. Planes also served on the Board of Directors at UniGroup, a $1.7 billion transportation company.

John began serving as Planes President in 1988, and in 2003, he took over as CEO of Planes Companies. In 2011, John Planes received the United Excellence Gene Anderson Award, which recognizes individuals who have shown particular dedication to the principles of quality and integrity in the United Van Lines system.

Leading a company that is deeply-rooted in family values, John lives a family-centered life when he is not working. John enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with his wife, and attending sporting events.

John S

President

John Sabatalo

John Sabatalo has served as the President of Planes Companies since 2003. Prior to becoming a leader at Planes, John enjoyed a very successful career in athletics. After playing at both the high school and collegiate level, John's love for the game never left him: his coaching career began at the University of Cincinnati, where he was recruited to be part of their graduate assistant program. He then spent six years as the offensive coordinator of local powerhouse St. Xavier High School before becoming the school's youngest-ever athletic director. Following this success, he spent five years coaching football at Lakota High School, where he earned the distinction of Division I Coach of the Year.

John's passion for athletics remains a fundamental part of his character, as he is affectionately still called "coach" by many to this day. John's competitive spirit and his uncanny ability to align business strategy to the x's and o's of the sports world also led to the creation of Planes' TEAM culture. His leadership and transformational skills were key in his two terms on the UniGroup Board of Directors: from 2010-2018, and from 2019-2021. He also served on the Lexicon Relocation Board of Directors.

Beyond athletics and business, John's passions include spending time by the ocean and making memories with family and friends.

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