Chris DiJulio’s journey in the moving industry spans over 57 years, a testament to his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. His story begins in the summer of 1967, as he vividly recalls, “On June 6th, 1967, my father dropped me off at Lincoln Moving & Storage Co., Inc. I was sixteen years old and was on summer break from school.”
Lincoln was a family business owned by Chris’s father and his father’s six older brothers. They had purchased it in 1944, and Lincoln became a United Van Lines agent in 1947. Chris’s early experiences laid the foundation for his future success. He remembers, “I had worked there, as a driver/packer, laborer, every summer and winter break while finishing high school and attending Seattle University and the University of Washington.”
Chris’s career took an interesting turn in the 1980s. “So, I left the Lincoln / United Van Lines system and started competing against Lincoln at Lyon Van Lines,” he recalls. “We moved Lyon Van Lines to Dallas, Texas, in 1981. I worked my way up to President of Lyon Van Lines in 1985.”
In 1987, an opportunity arose that would change the course of Chris’s career. The then owners of Lincoln Moving & Storage him a deal: “If I sold their seven trucking companies in the United States, they would sell me my old family business, Lincoln Moving & Storage, for a book value of $619,000. Lincoln’s annual revenue at that time was 3.2 million,” Chris states.
Not content with simply reclaiming Lincoln, Chris embarked on a series of strategic acquisitions. He expanded the Lincoln Family of Companies by acquiring APACA Moving & Storage in 1998, followed by Apaca Van Lines in Denver and Colorado Springs in 2003. In 2015, he further expanded the company’s reach to California with the purchase of Lompoc Van & Storage and Vandenberg Van & Storage. That same year, DiJulio also purchased Star Moving & Storage in Tacoma.
Throughout his career, Chris has maintained a hands-on approach to leadership. This philosophy was born from years of doing every job in the moving industry. As he puts it, “Work originally included sweeping warehouse floors, loading and unloading sea containers … Generally, I did everything the older crew members did not want to do. A lot of running.”
Chris’s commitment to the industry extends beyond his own business. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Moving & Storage Conference since 1984 and has been involved with various industry associations throughout his career.
The Lincoln Family of Companies remains a family-owned and operated business. Chris works closely with his son Danny DiJulio, who has been with Lincoln Moving & Storage for 27 years and serves as Vice President.
Outside of work, Chris values family time. With five children and ten grandchildren, he maintains a healthy work-life balance. As he puts it, “We have a great time when we are together.”
From his early days of summer work to becoming a respected leader in the moving industry, Chris DiJulio’s journey exemplifies how hands-on experience, combined with strategic business decisions, can lead to long-term success in a competitive industry. His story is a testament to the power of dedication, family values, and industry expertise.
