Meet the Houstonian behind a billion-dollar company that's 'quietly crushing it'

Leslie Doggett, CEO and owner of Houston-based Doggett Industries, sorted rocks as his first job. It wasn't fun.

When he was 13, Doggett followed his dad, a plaster contractor, out to Houston construction sites and picked up big and small rocks to hand over to workers creating plaster. Years later, Doggett realized while attending the University of Texas at Austin that he didn't want to work on construction sites doing what his father did. He wanted to build something big.

After leaving his job in the oil and gas business, Doggett returned home and met up with his business partner, Brady Carruth, in Houston in 1993. The two heard about a deal over lunch at a Chinese restaurant with a mergers and acquisitions lawyer. The lawyer told them that Toyota Lift of Houston, a forklift dealer, was for sale. The company employed 18 people, was underperforming and was going for book value. Doggett didn't have enough money, so Carruth financed both halves of the company himself and the ownership was split 50-50.

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Doggett & John Deere

John Deere began its entry into the construction and forestry industry in the mid 1950’s, and appointed its first dealer in 1957. Today, John Deere is one of the largest manufacturers of construction equipment in North America, and the largest manufacturer of Forestry Equipment worldwide.

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With an intense focus on providing the highest level of customer service through our parts and service departments, as well as serving your needs with factory trained sales and rental professionals, Doggett Heavy Machinery has established itself as a preferred vendor for many prominent corporations, and small businesses alike. John Deere and Doggett, together we are “Deere Trusted – Doggett Strong”.
Our footprint with John Deere covers the entire state of Louisiana, East Texas, the Greater Houston Area, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Rio Grande Valley. Our expansive dealer network is strategically positioned to ensure we are always close to our customers.

John Deere Construction Equipment

Since the model MC Dozer manufactured in 1947, John Deere construction has been at the leading edge of the earth moving industry. With over 200 models, and virtually unlimited attachment configurations, John Deere has everything you need to get the job done right. From pipeline construction to site preparation, and everything in between, Doggett is your one stop shop for all your equipment needs.

John Deere Forestry Equipment

Even before John Deere officially began producing forestry equipment, loggers were using Deere machines as logging winches. Today, John Deere is the industry’s leading forestry equipment manufacturer and the brand’s iconic green paint and yellow trim is known around the world. Equipped with a robust product line and one of the best reputations in the industry, Doggett’s professionally trained service technicians and sales representatives have all the necessary tools to ensure you get the most timber to the mill.

John Deere Compact Equipment

From landscapers to construction contractors, sometimes bigger isn’t always better. John Deere’s line of compact machines along with a wide range of attachments offers unmatched versatility and productivity, without sacrificing uptime and efficiency. So whether you are looking to buy, lease, or rent, our full service dealerships have you covered.