Amber Haling
Amber Haling is a resilient and accomplished customer service and operations professional with over 25 years of experience in building customer loyalty and leading teams with integrity. She currently serves as Assistant Manager and Customer Service Representative at U-Haul Moving and Storage in Littleton and Lakewood, Colorado. Amber’s career spans diverse industries, including nonprofit retail, hospitality, and logistics, where she has honed her expertise in problem-solving, operational efficiency, and team leadership. Throughout her journey, she has consistently focused on creating positive experiences for customers and mentoring team members to succeed.
Amber’s story is one of perseverance and transformation. She overcame addiction and an arrest, and has now been clean and sober for over seven years. Her time in prison was a turning point that allowed her to reassess her life and commit to a path of personal and professional growth. Amber is passionate about sharing her experiences to inspire others and demonstrate that second chances can lead to meaningful success. At U-Haul, a company that values second chances and invests in training, she has embraced opportunities to learn skills traditionally outside the scope of female employees, including mechanical and technical expertise, becoming a “hitch pro” and a trusted resource for her team.
Over the past three years at U-Haul, Amber has exemplified leadership and dedication. She willingly stepped back from a managerial role to support her coworkers fairly while helping stabilize a store during a staffing crisis. Her approach combines empathy, teamwork, and continuous learning, sharing knowledge with colleagues to ensure collective success. Amber thrives in environments where she can foster collaboration, mentor others, and make a meaningful difference—not only in customer experiences but in the lives of the people around her. She is committed to leveraging her journey and skills to uplift others and build communities of support and growth.
• Customer Service Management Certification
• Community College of Denver - AS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith and the support of my friends. After everything I've been through, I probably shouldn't be here anymore, but I am, and that's for a reason. I went to prison for 3 years, and I thank everything under the sun that I went because who knows where I would be, or if I would be, otherwise. It was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I've been clean for 7 years and haven't committed a crime in 7 years. I worked on myself, and now I'm still here for a reason. I've watched so many people waste away and not take advantage of their opportunities, so I know that if I can help one person, that's worth it. I feel like I'm a force to be reckoned with. At first it was overwhelming because I was like, what do I do with this? But not anymore. Now I know exactly what to do with the gifts that I've been given.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my professional life didn’t come from a single piece of advice — it came from watching great leaders in action. I’ve been fortunate to receive guidance from mentors like Anthony Martinez at Goodwill and my customer service certification instructor, Mr. Gibson at DWCF. Their advice shaped my foundation, and I’m grateful for everything they poured into me.
But the most influential learning experience has come from observing my current leadership team at U‑Haul. I’ve never seen a company operate the way U‑Haul does, and witnessing their style firsthand has been eye‑opening. My Marketing President, Tavis Larson, oversees an entire MCO with seven centers, yet he leads with a rare blend of professionalism, humility, and genuine compassion. He fosters a culture that feels like family — supportive, connected, and grounded. The very first time I met Tavis, he already knew my name, and that small moment spoke volumes about the kind of leader he is.
What has impacted me most isn’t just what my mentors have said, but how they show up: their technique, their presence, their consistency, and the way they treat people. Watching leaders like Tavis operate at such a high level has taught me what effective, human‑centered leadership truly looks like.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If I could give one piece of advice to a young woman starting her journey at U‑Haul, it would be this: keep your eyes and ears open, because this is a place where you can learn everything. One of the things that makes U‑Haul so unique is that everyone here does a little bit of everything — and that’s where the real confidence comes from. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of installing a hitch when no one else can, or backing a trailer into a tight spot when others are struggling. Those moments remind you of your own capability, your growth, and your value.
Lean into every opportunity to learn a new skill. Ask questions. Watch how people work. Try things that intimidate you. The more you learn, the more empowered you become — and the more you realize that you belong in every room, every role, and every challenge this company has to offer.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, the biggest challenge — and the biggest opportunity — at my job is the season we’re stepping into. Spring and summer are U‑Haul’s busiest months, and that rush can definitely be stressful for all of us. But it’s also the time when our teamwork, our creativity, and our resilience really shine.
One thing I love is how we keep the energy light even when the workload gets heavy. Our marketing company runs fun competitions like “Turn ’Em and Burn ’Em,” where each center races to dispatch every piece of equipment on their lot first. It sounds simple, but it builds camaraderie, pride, and a sense of momentum that carries us through the season.
And honestly, going into our busy season, all I see is opportunity. Opportunity to grow, to learn, to step up, and to show what we’re capable of as a team. At U‑Haul, the busy season isn’t something we fear — it’s something we rise to.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith, honesty, and integrity are most important to me, along with helping others. I believe in being there for people and giving them second chances. I've seen how important that is because there are a lot of companies out there that won't hire people with records, and that's why people go back to the street. U-Haul tries to nip that in the bud by being a second chance company, and I love that about them. I also believe in sharing what I learn with others. As soon as I learn something new, no matter how big or small, I can't wait to share it with everybody else so we're all on the same page. I try to be an example and influence people, even if I don't know it. If I can help one person, that's worth it. I feel like I'm still here for a reason after everything I've been through, and I want to use the gifts I've been given to make a difference.