MARIETTA, Ohio — As businesses across the country grapple with labor shortages and high turnover, Don Carlos Lee Gibson Jr., a former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Analyst and current General Manager of Operations for Marietta Motors LLC and Westfall Towing, is drawing attention to what he sees as a neglected crisis: the mentorship gap facing young workers.
Gibson, who has led teams in golf, hospitality, automotive services, and business operations for more than three decades, said mentorship has been critical to his own career. "Some of the most important lessons I've learned didn't come from a classroom or a training manual. They came from people who took the time to invest in me," he said in a statement. He worries that today's young workers are not receiving similar guidance.
The concern is amplified by data from the Allianz Life 2026 Annual Retirement Study, which found that 42% of Americans retire earlier than planned, often due to circumstances beyond their control. As experienced workers exit the workforce sooner, businesses and communities risk losing valuable institutional knowledge that could benefit the next generation.
Gibson emphasized that the mentorship gap has implications beyond the workplace. Through his work with youth programs like the First Tee, recovery initiatives, and second-chance employment, he has observed that "people grow faster when someone believes in them, listens to them, and shares what they've learned."
Research consistently shows that employees with mentors report higher job satisfaction, greater confidence, and stronger career development. Yet many young workers lack access to experienced professionals who can help them navigate career decisions and workplace challenges. Gibson argued that businesses cannot afford to ignore this problem. "Technology can make us more efficient, but it can't replace wisdom," he said. "A lot of young people don't need another app. They need someone willing to have a conversation."
Gibson called on experienced professionals to view mentorship as a community responsibility. He suggested simple actions such as reaching out to a younger colleague, sharing career lessons, volunteering with youth or recovery programs, or making time for conversations that help others grow. "You don't have to change someone's entire life," he said. "Sometimes all it takes is taking an interest in their future and being willing to share what you've learned."
Throughout his career, Gibson has built teams in industries where trust, communication, and practical knowledge are essential. He believes that mentorship often begins with listening rather than advising, and that every experienced professional has something valuable to pass on.
