Morrow Builds Community in His Business
Being part of a community is important to Dan Morrow. As the owner/president of Morrow Collision Center, Beeman Auto Body and Galaxy Towing/Galaxy Mechanical, his goal has always been to be an active and vital member of Lincoln. It is one of the reasons he was named the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for the Southeast Community College Milford Campus.
“Community impact has been extremely important to me since first starting my business,” said Morrow. “My goal has always been to be an active member, not just run a successful business and not give back to those who have helped me get where I am.”
Morrow graduated from the SCC Automotive Collision Repair Technology program in 1997. After graduation he worked for a Lincoln body shop and quickly realized he was meant to run his own business and build a work community of his own. In 2001 he renovated his first location at 22nd and Cornhusker Highway and opened shop in January of 2002. His first group of employees were classmates from his program at SCC. In 2003, his brother joined the business as general manager and things really took off.
“We spent the next 18 years growing our business, establishing our name and building a process unlike any other,” he said. “Eight of those years were spent planning our first expansion, a second location built from the ground up, in northeast Lincoln. That location at 84th and Adams is the largest in Lincoln (square footage wise) and was designed to eliminate all traditional body shop waste.”
Since opening that location before COVID-19 hit in 2020, they spent two years surviving the pandemic before expanding their business. In late 2021, they acquired Beeman Automotive (renamed Beeman Auto Body) and took a leap with a new business venture.
“In 2023, we started a separate business called Galaxy Towing/Galaxy Mechanical,” Morrow explained. “A veteran tow specialist approached us about starting this business and we knew it was the perfect time to take that next leap. We now tow for individuals, mechanical shops and competing body shops in Lincoln and the surrounding areas.”
Morrow continues to give back to SCC as a member of the workforce leadership team for the Auto Collision Repair Technology program. He also works closely with local high school auto body classes to allow job shadow opportunities as well as giving tours of his facilities to their classes.
“We have created an amazing work culture and provide a place for our talented techs and employees to hone their craft and continuously learn about industry changes,” he said. “I will continue to always be an advocate of SCC’s Milford Campus and credit much of my success to my education there.”
Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu