Award-Winning Magazine of the Arkansas Trucking Association Vol. 22 | Issue 5 2017 | $4.95
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IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 5 2017
FEATURES
COVER STORY
28 TALKING TURKEY
Josh Thompson shares his experiences from
catching turkeys to running a trucking company
By Lacey Thacker
CAPITOL WATCH
19 MOVING MEDICAL MARIJUANA
It remains to be seen who and how Arkansas will
transport the medical marijuana business around the state
By Steve Brawner
24 “THE HIGHWAYMEN” REVISITED
Ten years later, P3s’ fate uncertain under Trump
By Steve Brawner
TRADE SECRETS
36 PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
UCA professor earns his CDL to take
trucking skills to the classroom
By Deana Nall
40 THEY LIKE US; THEY REALLY LIKE US
ATA works to improve the image of trucking around the state
By Bethany May
SCENE AROUND
44 GRILLS, GOODIE BAGS AND GRATITUDE
ATA gives thanks for drivers during National Truck Driving Week
By ATR Staff
46 TRUCKING COMES TO THE TABLE
AND PLAYS FOR THE PAC
ATA hosts trucking execs and legislators at an exclusive
fundraiser and golf tournament for the ATA-PAC
By ATR Staff
DEPARTMENTS
7 Up Front: by Shannon Newton
8 They Said It
10 News in Brief
12 New Members
17 Calendar of Events
50 Insider Trucking
PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE AND COVER 52 Stat View
BY JOHN DAVID PITTMAN 53 Advertiser Resource Index
54 The Last Word: by Tracy Rosser
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Page 1 of 1
UP FRONT
Award-Winning Magazine of the Arkansas Trucking Association
Arkansas Trucking Report is owned by the Arkansas Trucking Association,
Inc. and is published bimonthly. For additional copies, to order reprints
of individual articles or to become a subscriber to ATR, contact Caitlin
Walraven at 501.372.3462.
executive editor
SHANNON NEWTON
managing editor
BETHANY MAY
contributing writers DO NOT DELAY
STEVE BRAWNER LACEY THACKER
[email protected] [email protected]
JENNIFER BARNETT REED ANGELA THOMAS This year has been marked with reflection over the past 85 years since the Shippers
[email protected] [email protected] and Carriers Association of Arkansas was formed in 1932. While it might be easy to
JIM HARRIS TODD TRAUB
[email protected] [email protected] talk about how the Association took tough stances on issues that improved conditions
RENEE MILLER DEANA NALL
[email protected] [email protected] for Arkansas carriers, it’s much harder to be the association that takes those tough
art director positions and persuades others to come along. Sometimes, we’ve gotten it right and
JON D. KENNEDY
The Freelance Co. LLC, [email protected] led the change, and other times, like when the Association opposed deregulation, we
production editors
SARAH SHEETS, KATIE THOMASON, DAVID O’NEAL followed the change and learned to adapt.
illustrator
BRENT BENNETT
[email protected] On every issue ATA tackles, we want to be on the right side of history. The questions
photographers
JON D. KENNEDY, JOHN DAVID PITTMAN we always ask are these: Does this improve safety? Does this make carriers more
efficient, more profitable or more risk averse? Does this protect our most valuable asset—
professional drivers?
When the answers are yes, we don’t hesitate to stand out front, lead the discussion and
www.arkansastrucking.com
president speak to our legislators and other decision makers. Fortunately, on ELDs, we have been
SHANNON SAMPLES NEWTON
[email protected] heard by those in Washington.
vice president, safety programs and industry engagement
DAVID O’NEAL, CDS st
[email protected] On Sept. 5, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-1 ) penned a letter to his colleagues, urging them
director of operations
SARAH NEWMAN SHEETS ‘do not delay’ implementation of the Dec. 18 ELD compliance deadline. He cited the
[email protected] overwhelming majorities from both houses of Congress that have repeatedly directed the
communications coordinator
BETHANY MAY
[email protected] FMCSA to complete the ELD rulemaking over the last five years.
business development coordinator
AMANDA LAMB
[email protected] Crawford wrote that further delay would penalize the thousands of companies who have
corporate services coordinator worked to comply with the federal law, and he wasn’t the only leader from Arkansas
KATIE THOMASON
[email protected] to speak up on behalf of fleet owners who have adopted the technology in anticipation
executive assistant
th
CAITLIN WALRAVEN of the deadline. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-4 ) joined Crawford on the House floor to
[email protected]
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD oppose an amendment that would have delayed enforcement.
AL HERINGER IV
Star Transportation, LLC
Vice President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS In fact, all four Arkansas representatives resisted stall tactics and voted to move forward
ROCHELLE BARTHOLOMEW MIKE MCNUTT with electronic logging.
CalArk International, Inc. Distribution Solutions, Inc.
President CEO, Owner
MARR LYNN BEARDEN MARK MORRIS
Marrlin Transit, Inc. Morris Transportation, Inc. ATA has supported the use of ELDs for almost two decades, serving as a leader in this
President President
CARL BOJA JAMES REED national, and at times controversial, discussion.
TravelCenters of America USA Truck
Vice President Fleet Sales CEO
GREG CARMAN G.E. “BUTCH” RICE III We’ve educated our legislators, regulators, and even our members, about the benefits of
Carman, Inc. Stallion Transportation Group
President President & CEO electronic logging and shared stories of those who have improved CSA scores and avoided
JOHN CULP TRACY ROSSER
Maverick USA Walmart Transportation
President Senior Vice President long, expensive lawsuits with electronic proof of a driver’s hours. We spoke, and Reps.
DAN CUSHMAN JOHN SMITH
P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. FedEx Freight Rick Crawford, French Hill, Bruce Westerman and Steve Womack listened and showed
President & CEO SVP Operations
CRAIG HARPER VICKI JONES STEPHENS up to vote down another delay.
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. C.C. Jones, Inc.
Executive Vice President & COO President
KORY LARSON TIM THORNE When we have confidence that drivers across the nation are operating in compliance,
The Larson Group ABF Freight
COO President & CEO
JEFF LOGGINS DOUG VOSS we can take credit for a little piece of that assurance. When a driver’s name is cleared
Loggins Logistics, Inc. University of Central Arkansas
President & CEO Associate Professor of Logistics because his ELD verifies he is working within the allowable hours of service, we can
ROB LYALL
Tyson Foods, Inc. celebrate with him and his company. When all carriers are held to the same high
Vice President - Transportation
Distribution
standards of compliance, Arkansas can claim to have helped level the field.
An affiliate of the American Trucking
Associations But ultimately, in the years that follow, success will be measured in safer highways.
Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is an Arkansas corporation of trucking When we look back at Arkansas’s leadership in adopting this technology and saving lives,
companies, private carrier fleets and businesses which serve or supply the
trucking industry. ATA serves these companies as a governmental affairs I believe this is a stance that the Arkansas trucking industry can be proud of.
representative before legislative, regulatory and executive branches of
government on issues that affect the trucking industry. The organization also
provides public relations services, workers’ compensation insurance, operational
services and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.
For information, contact ATA at:
1401 West Capitol, Suite 185
Post Office Box 3476 (72203)
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Drivers Legal Plan
Phone 501.372.3462 Fax 501.376.1810 Shannon Newton
www.arkansastrucking.com
President, Arkansas Trucking Association
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 Drivers Legal Plan 7
THEY SAID IT
“Dear Amazon, We need to talk. “It’s not
It’s not you, it’s us. …you’ve got something I
so much going for you, and am going to
you’ll find what you’re looking lose sleep
for. But it’s just not us.” over.”
—Little Rock’s full page ad in the Washington Post, a breakup letter in response to —Warren Buffett on his
Amazon’s nationwide request for proposals for the company’s second headquarters, for skepticism that driverless
which Little Rock declined to bid and instead launched a new city campaign to attract trucks will put truck drivers
other new businesses out of a job
“American trucks
will glide along our “So who are these
highways. So beautiful ‘elite truckers’ who
will those highways are so concerned about
be — smooth, beautiful, millionaires’ estates?”
no potholes.”
—“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert criticized the
—President Donald Trump praised truckers as the President’s tax pitch to truckers, which included
backbone of the economy and promised better highways eliminating the estate tax that applies only to individuals
in Harrisburg, Pa., where he proposed a tax plan to a worth more than $5 million. Colbert reported the plan
crowd of about 1,000, including hundreds of truckers would affect only 30 trucking companies nationwide
‘I say ‘hasta “In our business, we
compete for drivers in the
la vista’ to
gerrymandering.’ same way we do freight.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Supreme —Christopher Lofgren, chief executive of Schneider National Inc., on a recent pay
Court redistricting case increase for truck drivers.
8 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
NEWS IN BRIEF
CAMPAIGN FOR REAL TORT ing down matters of policy adopted by code. His remarks focused specifically
REFORM LAUNCHED IN AR the legislative body. on the trucking industry and its role in
Trucking companies across the Randy Zook, president of the moving American’s economy forward,
country face the threat of meritless Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and were delivered in front of two ATA-
lawsuits, settlement seeking attorneys says SJR8 will help make Arkansas more wrapped tractor-trailers.
and nuclear verdicts exploiting their competitive with surrounding states “We truly admire you. You are
business. These actions drive up and protect everyday Arkansans. our heroes,” President Trump said of
costs for even the safest carriers. “It’s time to level the playing field truckers. “We will build this future
The Arkansas Trucking Association in Arkansas with commonsense reforms together.” Representatives from motor
is committed to improving the legal that strike a balance between protecting carriers, ATA Chairman Kevin Burch,
climate in Arkansas to help protect the rights of everyday Arkansans while ATA President and CEO Chris Spear
business and enable job growth and creating an environment of economic and America’s Road Team Captains
economic improvement. growth and job creation in Arkansas,” were all in attendance and joined the
A coalition representing a diverse said Zook. “The passage of SJR8 by the President in calling on Congress to pass
group of Arkansas businesses has joined voters of Arkansas will make Arkansas comprehensive tax reform.
together to support commonsense tort more competitive with surrounding “While trucking sustains the vital-
reform in Arkansas. Arkansans for Jobs states while still protecting the right to ity of the U.S. economy, we also carry
and Justice will advocate for the pas- a jury trial and damages.” a heavy tax burden, paying the highest
sage of the constitutional amendment corporate tax rate of any transporta-
known as SJR8. PRESIDENT TRUMP TOUTS tion mode,” said Spear. “That is why we
The Arkansas Trucking Association TRUCKERS IN PUSH FOR TAX joined President Trump at today’s event,
helped lead the effort in the legislature REFORM in support of his plan to reform our tax
to have the measure referred out and American Trucking Associations code. We urge Congress to follow the
will be a key voice in the campaign. joined President Trump in Harrisburg, President’s lead and pass tax reform by
Other members of the ballot committee Pa., as the President delivered a speech year’s end.”
include the Arkansas State Chamber, on his plan to reform the nation’s tax
Arkansas Medical Society, Arkansas
Health Care Association, The Poultry
Federation and Arkansas Farm Bureau.
The resolution, SJR8, sponsored by
Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. Bob Ballinger,
along with 66 co-sponsors, passed
with overwhelming support and placed
the constitutional amendment on the
November 2018 ballot. SJR8 will aid
in discouraging frivolous lawsuits by
placing limits on contingency fees, non-
economic damages and punitive dam-
ages. It will also authorize the General
Assembly to adopt rules of pleading,
practice and procedure to prevent the
Supreme Court from continuously strik-
10 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
WELCOME,
NEW ATA MEMBERS!
Together, We Are the Power of Association
We welcome the following new members. Each new member
adds to the Arkansas trucking industry’s collective strength to
promote, protect and serve with a unified voice.
FOR-HIRE CARRIER FIRSTSOURCE SOLUTIONS municipalities and commercial
MEMBERS Chalfont, Penn. television stations to increase coverage
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DELTA CARTAGE Offers third party administrator services and provide additional views of the
Blytheville, Ark. for compliance testing state highway system.
870.824.6675 The traffic camera feature is
Number of Trucks: 16 GENTRY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Gentry, Ark. loaded as a layer on the map-based site
TEXAS TRANSEASTERN, INC. 479.736.2253 enabling end-users to select a camera
Little Rock, Ark. Public education institution
501.569.9959 based on its location on the map. Visit
Number of Trucks: 129 MHC TRUCK LEASING iDriveArkansas.com to try out the new
Little Rock, Ark. feature.
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management 816.935.2901
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CUSTARD INSURANCE including, equipment financing, to head the Federal Highway
ADJUSTERS, INC. re-finance transactions, working capital Administration and Raymond Martinez
Norcross, Ga. lines of credit, treasury and cash
770.368.3352 management services to run the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Provides insurance coverage of Administration.
commercial transportation, personal/ SIMMONS BANK Trombino’s nomination comes
commercial auto, general liability, Little Rock, Ark. amid a promise by Trump to rebuild the
property, professional liability, 913.209.6317 nation’s infrastructure, including work
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Springdale, Ark. Springdale, Ark. Legislature approve a 10-cent-per-gallon
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For membership information, visit arkansastrucking.com and local road and bridge construc-
tion projects. He also was involved in
NEWS IN BRIEF, their route. The Arkansas Department an initiative in which Iowa is attempt-
ing to become one of the first states in
Continued from page 10
of Transportation debuted the new fea- the nation to develop a digital driver’s
ture to their traveler information site license that can be used as an app on
ARKANSAS ADDS LIVE IDrive Arkansas last month. smartphones.
TRAFFIC CAMERAS The feature includes approximately The White House also announced
Arkansas travelers can now access 28 cameras owned and operated by the nomination of Raymond Martinez,
live feeds of traffic cameras around the the Arkansas DOT. The Department chief administrator of the New Jersey
state for a real-time look at traffic along is partnering with adjacent states, Motor Vehicle Commission. Martinez
12 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
The legislation was introduced in idly by and wait for the next tragic
the Senate by Minority Leader Chuck incident.”
Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New
York, as well as Cory Booker and Robert BILLIONAIRE BUFFETT SETS HIS
Menendez of New Jersey. U.S. Reps. Bill SIGHTS ON TRUCK STOPS
Pascrell Jr. and Albio Sires introduced a Warren Buffett bought an almost
companion bill in the House. 40% stake in Pilot Flying J in October
FMCSA worked on the rule in 2016 and plans to become the majority owner
and held listening sessions and meet- by 2023.
ings to establish criteria and processes Pilot Flying J, the largest truck stop
for instituting sleep apnea screening in the U.S., has more than 750 locations
requirements, but the Department of in 44 U.S. states and Canada selling
Transportation withdrew the rulemak- gas, diesel fuel and convenience goods,
ing in July saying the current process is and offering trucks more than 70,000
sufficient. parking spaces and 5,000 diesel lanes.
The proposal’s sponsors cited recent Buffett completed the transaction
also served as the New York State rail incidents that have been blamed on through his conglomerate Berkshire
Commisioner of Motor Vehicles and apnea. Hathaway, through which he is also
Assistant General Counsel to the “The recent findings released by an investor in other transportation
Long Island Power Authority. The [the National Transportation Safety businesses including Delta, American,
American Trucking Associations, Board] on the Hoboken and [Long Southwest, United Continental, GM
the Owner-Operator Independent Island Railroad] crashes underscore and auto insurer Geico.
Drivers Association and the Truckload just how shortsighted and reckless the The controlling Haslam family
Carriers Association have congratulated Trump administration’s recent decision retained a 50.1-percent stake, and will
Martinez on the nomination and said was to reverse the rule requiring sleep own the remaining 20 percent once
they intend to work with him in the apnea testing and treatment,” said Buffett takes over in 2023.
future. Booker. “We simply cannot stand
Praise also came from the president
of the Trucking Association of New
York, Kendra Hems, as well, “As the The coverage you need. The guidance you trust.
SM
NYSDMV Commissioner, Ray Martinez
proved to be a fair regulator, working
to continually improve the safety of the
trucking industry without implement-
ing unnecessary or burdensome regula-
tions. He always made the safety of the
motoring public his top priority, and I
am confident that he will continue that
focus as the FMCSA Administrator.”
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tions for sleep apnea.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 13
NEWS IN BRIEF,
Continued from page 13
“Jimmy Haslam and his team
have created an industry leader and a
key enabler of the nation’s economy,”
Buffett said in a statement. “The com-
pany has a smart growth strategy in
place and we look forward to a partner-
ship that supports the trucking industry
for years to come.”
WALMART, HONING SAME-DAY
DELIVERY SKILLS, BUYS NYC’S
PARCEL
Walmart has acquired small, same-
day delivery company, Parcel, from New
York City.
The retailer said the last leg of
delivery is key for all retailers in a
transformed landscape where the ability Parcel already has partnerships with screens, voice commands, writing pads,
to deliver at speed and with low costs several meal kit, grocery and e-com- heads-up displays on windshields and
brings tremendous advantages in fend- merce companies, and has delivered mirrors and 3-D computer-generated
ing off competitors like Amazon. more than 1 million meals in the past images.
Parcel will deliver fresh and frozen two years. Walmart plans to grow that “It’s adding more and more layers
groceries from Walmart and its com- base. of complexity and information at driv-
pany, Jet.com, as well as general mer- ers’ fingertips without often considering
chandise. YOUR CAR IS NEWEST whether it’s a good idea to put it at their
Walmart’s focus on fast, local TECHNOLOGY TO DISTRACT fingertips,” Strayer said. That complex-
delivery shows how priorities have shift- DRIVING ity increases the overall amount of time
ed for major retailers as they travel to The infotainment technology that drivers spend trying to use the systems.
shoppers’ homes, rather than the other automakers are cramming into the The auto industry says the new
way around. dashboard of new vehicles is making systems are better alternatives for driv-
Nate Faust, senior vice president drivers take their eyes off the road and ers than mobile phones and navigation
of Walmart’s U.S. eCommerce supply hands off the wheel for dangerously devices that were not designed to be
chain, said in a company release that long periods of time, an AAA study says. used while driving.
The study is the latest by University
of Utah professor David Strayer, who NEW CAPTAINS SELECTED FOR
has been examining the impact of info- ARKANSAS ROAD TEAM
tainment systems on safety for AAA’s The Arkansas Trucking Association
Foundation for Traffic Safety since is pleased to announce it has added four
2013. Past studies also identified prob- new members to the Arkansas Road
lems, but Strayer said the “explosion of Team, a select group of professional
technology” has made things worse. drivers chosen for their commitment to
Automakers now include more highway safety, communication ability
infotainment options to allow drivers and interest in improving the image of
to use social media, email and text. the trucking industry. This outreach
The technology is also becoming more program of the ATA serves as a public
complicated to use. Cars used to have a service to address highway safety and
few buttons and knobs. Some vehicles to educate the motoring public on safe
now have as many as 50 buttons on driving, especially near large commer-
the steering wheel and dashboard that cial vehicles.
are multi-functional. There are touch
14 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
NEWS IN BRIEF,
Continued from page 14
The following exceptional profes-
sional drivers were selected:
Eric Brockette – FedEx Freight, Little Rock
Mark Buckley – USA Truck, Van Buren
Dave Hall – ABF Freight, Little Rock
Weston Mars – FedEx Freight, Lowell
“I would like to congratulate
Exclusive. All-Inclusive. Simple. these drivers on being selected for
the Arkansas Road Team,” said David
O’Neal, the Arkansas Trucking
Patron Association vice president of safety
programs and industry engagement.
“Their safety records and dedication to
Utility Tri-State, Inc. trucking are an example of the best our
industry has to offer.”
Candidates for the Road Team
Supporters competed in the final stage of a selec-
tion process on Oct. 9 in Little Rock,
Aon Ark. Nominees were judged by a panel
Drivers Legal Plan of trucking industry professionals and
Stephens enforcement officials on their knowl-
The Larson Group edge of the trucking industry, dedica-
tion to safety, overall safe driving record
and ability to communicate the truck-
ing industry’s message.
Since forming in 2015, Road Team
captains have taken their Share the
Road safe-driving program to more
than 100 schools and other events
throughout the state. Presentations are
offered at no cost and can be scheduled
by contacting ATA at 501-372-3462.
“The Arkansas Road Team repre-
sents more than 12 million miles of
professional experience gained through-
out decades of driving across the
nation. These drivers have a passion for
the industry,” said Shannon Newton,
president of the Arkansas Trucking
Association. “They are trucking’s best
ambassadors, and we are proud to share
their stories and experiences with com-
In 1932, a small number of companies came together to lay the munities across the state.”
foundation for today’s Arkansas Trucking Association --- the
recognized voice for the trucking industry in Arkansas. ATA PROMOTES DAVID O’NEAL
Members today continue to provide the support that builds TO VICE PRESIDENT
David O’Neal has been promoted
upon those foundations. Founders Club members support ATA
to vice president, safety programs and
because they believe, like we do, that trucking is the backbone industry engagement of the Arkansas
of our economy. Trucking Association. He joined the
association as its director of safety ser-
16 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
vices in 2015. those programs are “Share the Road” CALENDAR
“David has and the “Arkansas Road Team”, a team
worked dili- of professional drivers that deliver safety OF EVENTS
gently to affirm presentations to schools and other
the association’s events around the state.
commitment NOVEMBER
to safety. His ATA URGES U.S. TO MAINTAIN NOVEMBER 7
implementation CROSS-BORDER TRUCK PROGRAM ATA SELF INSURERS FUND SEMINAR
of new out- As ongoing renegotiations of the Embassy Suites Little Rock
Little Rock, Ark.
reach programs, North American Free Trade Agreement
O’Neal expanding our (NAFTA) continue, American Trucking NOVEMBER 9
audience and increasing training oppor- Associations sent a letter to U.S. Trade ATA SELF INSURERS FUND SEMINAR
Fort Smith Convention Center
tunities has better positioned the orga- Representative Robert Lighthizer in sup- Fort Smith, Ark.
nization to serve the trucking industry port of maintaining the cross-border NOVEMBER 14-15
in Arkansas,” said Shannon Newton, plan with Mexico and touting its ben- NORTHWEST ARKANSAS WORKFORCE
president of the association. efits to the trucking industry. SUMMIT AND CAREER EXPLORATION
O’Neal will continue to provide ATA chief economist and senior EXPO
motor carriers with regulatory guid- vice president Bob Costello said Springdale, Ark.
ance and safety best practices, as well as NAFTA’s trucking provisions help reduce NOVEMBER 14–16
direct the association’s highway safety border congestion because trailers don’t AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS’
education programs. Newton said that have to return empty after delivering SMC AND TSC’S 2017 SAFETY, SECURITY
as vice president, O’Neal will take on freight across the border, and the plan is & HUMAN RESOURCES NATIONAL
CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
additional responsibilities to shape and not an “open door policy” as “fearmon- The Peabody Hotel
execute public relations and education gering” groups may imply. The largest Memphis, Tenn.
campaigns on priority issues, develop Mexican-domiciled carrier in the pro- NOVEMBER 14
communications strategies and provide gram is actually owned by an American MAINTENANCE & TECHNOLOGY
educational support for policy and legis- company. COUNCIL MEETING
lative initiatives. “Mexican carriers operating beyond ArcBest, Fort Smith, Ark.
After almost 20 years at FedEx, the commercial border zones have an NOVEMBER 30
O’Neal came to the association to excellent safety record. They are operat- SAFETY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
develop and oversee a number of pro- ing equipment similar to U.S. motor MEETING
Embassy Suites, Rogers, Ark.
grams designed to educate the general carriers and must adhere to all U.S. laws
public, especially younger drivers, and and regulations,” Costello said. ATR DECEMBER
improve highway safety. Chief among DECEMBER 8
ACCOUNTING & FINANCE COUNCIL
MEETING
ArcBest, Fort Smith, Ark.
DECEMBER 14
40 UNDER 40 COUNCIL MEETING AND
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Northwest, Ark.
JANUARY
JANUARY 23
ATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
2018 SAVE THE DATES
MAY 16–18
ATA ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE
& VENDOR SHOWCASE
Hot Springs, Ark.
JULY 12–14
ARKANSAS TRUCKING
CHAMPIONSHIP
Rogers, Ark.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 17
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Moving Medical Marijuana
It remains to be seen who and how Arkansas will transport
the medical marijuana business around the state
By Steve Brawner
Contributing Writer
Sometime next year, Arkansans
with a qualifying medical condition will
be eligible to use marijuana, and some-
one will have to transport the plants
from the facilities where they’re culti-
vated to the dispensaries where they are
sold.
If Arkansas’ experiences are like
other states, it probably won’t be trans-
ported by members of the Arkansas
Trucking Association.
The directors of trucking associa-
tions in Arizona, which legalized medi-
cal marijuana in 2010, and Michigan,
which did it in 2008, said that, to their
knowledge, none of their member firms
are involved in the business. The same
was true of Colorado, where marijuana
is legal not only for medical purposes
but also recreationally.
“I don’t know who’s transporting it.
None of our companies certainly are,”
said Tony Bradley, president and CEO
of the Arizona Trucking Association. He
said he suspected the drugs were being
transported by marijuana company
employees who do not hold commercial
driver’s licenses.
Abigail Potter, American Trucking
Associations manager of safety and “I DON’T KNOW WHO’S TRANSPORTING IT. NONE OF
occupational health policy, said she OUR COMPANIES CERTAINLY ARE.”
would be surprised if any major carriers
or members of the American Trucking —TONY BRADLEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ARIZONA
Associations are involved in the mari-
juana trade. No carriers have asked her TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
about it.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 19
processing 224 dispensary applications
for 32 available slots, and 98 cultivator
applications for five available slots. Two
hundred twenty-four applications were
“WE REALIZED EARLY ON THE 18TH IT WAS GOING submitted on the last day available,
TO BE AN EXTREMELY ACTIVE DAY AS SEVERAL Sept. 18. According to Hardin, “We
APPLICANTS SLEPT OUTSIDE DFA’S OFFICES realized early on the 18th it was going
to be an extremely active day as several
OVERNIGHT IN ORDER TO BE AMONG THE FIRST TO applicants slept outside DFA’s offices
SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON THE FINAL DAY.” overnight in order to be among the
first to submit their applications on the
—SCOTT HARDIN, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND final day.”
ADMINISTRATION SPOKESPERSON Hardin said DFA’s legal team was
confirming that applications meet
minimum requirements before they
are reviewed by the Medical Marijuana
Commission. Those requirements
Arkansas voters last November Drivers and employees of include no unpaid taxes and 60 percent
approved the use of medical marijuana dispensaries must have a valid ownership by Arkansas citizens. Then
by a 53-47 margin. During this year’s identification card issued by the division the legal team will remove the names of
legislative session, Arkansas lawmak- and a valid Arkansas driver’s license, the applicants so the commission can
ers, many of whom had opposed and both must be in the driver’s make its determinations solely on merit.
the initiative, passed numerous laws possession when he or she operates The commission likely would receive
clarifying aspects of the amendment, a motor vehicle hauling medical applications in November or December
including the licensing authority of marijuana. All vehicles transporting for review. Those applications range
the newly formed Medical Marijuana medical marijuana must be staffed by from 400 to 3,000 pages. Hardin said
Commission. two employees, one of whom remains it likely would be after the beginning of
in the vehicle at all times. Vehicles 2018 before licenses are announced.
WHO CAN TRANSPORT, SELL must have an alarm system and have Rep. House, an attorney, said that
AND GROW MARIJUANA IN no signage or other indications they every regulation will be limited to
ARKANSAS? are transporting marijuana. The drivers Arkansas.
One of those laws, Act 642 by Rep. must travel directly between locations
Doug House, R-North Little Rock, stat- without any unnecessary stops. RISKY BUSINESS
ed that cultivators and dispensaries may ABC would have the power to Marijuana is still illegal under fed-
contract with licensed transporters. The inspect transporters to ensure they eral law, which means truckers can’t
bill said that transporters, along with are taking the appropriate secu- carry it across state lines. Doing so,
dispensaries, cultivation facilities, dis- rity measures to protect the inven- said the ATA’s Potter, would be “very,
tributors and processors, are immune tory and are keeping proper records. It very illegal because that would make it
from prosecution under the terms of can adopt rules governing oversight, interstate commerce, and that means
the amendment. record keeping, security and personnel it would also go under federal law, and
Act 642 requires transporters to requirements. It also can set rules for transporting marijuana is a crime.”
be licensed by the Medical Marijuana inspections and investigations and for Potter said interstate trucking
Commission, while enforcement is the restricting advertising. The division also companies that want to transport
responsibility of the Alcoholic Beverage will license transporter agents. marijuana within a state are governed
Control (ABC) Division. The legislation Department of Finance and by individual state laws, but they could
says owners, board members and offi- Administration spokesperson Scott be at risk, including in areas such as
cers of transport companies must not Hardin said transporters’ licenses insurance. She recommends any truck-
have been convicted of an excluded fel- are in development and should be ing company considering it have “a very
ony offense or owned a marijuana com- determined during the next month or good lawyer.”
pany that had had its license revoked. two. However, the department is also Along with transporting the drug,
Licenses would have to be renewed busy creating rules for cultivators and marijuana-related companies also
every year. Transporters and distributors dispensers — a daunting task in and of face challenges transporting the large
would not be allowed to grow or dis- itself. The DFA, which is the umbrella
pense the drug. agency for the commission and ABC, is
20 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
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amounts of cash it produces. That’s riers don’t have to hire — in fact, can’t juana is legal, said the effect there has
because its continued status as an ille- hire — drivers who test positive. been more muted. Arizona’s Bradley
gal drug leaves federally chartered banks Greg Fulton, president of the said legalization has not significantly
wary of doing any business with those Colorado Motor Carriers Association, affected the driver pool there. There was
companies. told Arkansas Trucking Report earlier a spike in applicants who tested posi-
Federal marijuana laws haven’t this year that marijuana legalization tive and didn’t understand the law after
changed since 1995. While marijuana has made it more difficult for his state’s it was passed, but those numbers have
is still illegal under federal law, those trucking companies to find drug-free dropped off.
laws are not being enforced due to drivers and other employees. Unlike
a Department of Justice memo cre- alcohol, marijuana remains in a user’s HEALTH AND MEDICINE MAKING
ated during the Obama administra- system for a while, and there are no HEADLINES IN TRUCKING
tion, along with the Rohrabacher-Farr tests that determine “blood marijuana Marijuana isn’t the only drug
whose relationship to trucking is chang-
ing. Earlier this year, the Department of
Transportation announced it was pro-
posing amending its drug-testing pro-
“[HAVE] A VERY GOOD LAWYER.” gram to add four opioids — hydrocodone,
hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and
oxycodone. The move would harmonize
—ABIGAIL POTTER, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS the program with revised mandatory
MANAGER OF SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH POLICY Health and Human Services guidelines
for federal urine testing programs.
The change comes as concern
spreads regarding the nation’s opioid
epidemic. According to the Centers for
amendment. That amendment, named content” as there are for alcohol. One Disease Control, 259 million prescrip-
for sponsors Rep. Dana Rohrabacher member carrier would warn applicants tions were written for opioids in 2012,
(R-Calif.), and former Rep. Sam Farr that they would be drug-tested, and it more than one for every American
(D-Calif.), passed as part of a 2014 asked them not to bother applying if adult. According to the National Center
budget bill. It prohibits the Justice they had anything in their system in for Health Statistics, overdose deaths
Department from spending any money order to save them both the trouble. involving opioids increased from 28,647
prosecuting medical marijuana users Even then, it was experiencing a 70 per- in 2014 to 33,091 in 2015. Each year
and sellers who are obeying state laws cent failure rate. since 2002, more than 40 percent of
in the 29 states and the District of The legalization of marijuana has overdose deaths have been related to
Columbia where it’s legal. led to other challenges in Colorado. prescribed opioids.
However, the fate of legalized mari- Fulton said passage of recreational Two other health-related regula-
juana is somewhat uncertain. United marijuana in 2012 created a sense that tory changes have made news in recent
States Attorney General Jeff Sessions everything was now permitted regard- months. The Federal Motor Carrier
has a long history of opposing mari- less of existing policies. An unantici- Safety Administration announced in
juana, and the House of Representatives pated problem has been higher costs for July that it is considering ending the
has yet to vote on the amendment this warehouses and terminals as the mari- requirement that insulin-dependent
year. Meanwhile, the ATA is watching a juana industry has gobbled up space for diabetic truckers request an exemp-
legislative push to reclassify marijuana grow houses and storage. tion to qualify for interstate com-
as a Schedule 3 drug, or more of a pain- “These folks, the marijuana barons, merce. The change would affect drivers
killer. The ATA is also watching to see if have a lot of money,” he said. “And so whose conditions are under control.
marijuana is legalized in Canada. it’s pushed up the cost and the square Also, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
“People’s attitudes about marijuana footage significantly, and a number of Administration has withdrawn a notice
continue to change,” Potter said. our companies who had been in places of proposed rulemaking concerning
The bigger effects for the trucking for a number of years got pushed out.” sleep apnea. Along with the Federal
industry will be in how it affects the Colorado is different from Arkansas Railroad Administration, FMCSA would
driver shortage. The federal govern- in that the state has legalized marijuana have requested data and information
ment says commercial driver’s license for recreational use, not just medical regarding the sleep problem. However,
holders cannot be certified regardless of use. Executive directors from Michigan the agencies decided that current safety
their medical condition, so motor car- and Arizona, where only medical mari- programs are appropriate. ATR
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 23
“The Highwaymen” Revisited
Ten years later, P3s’ fate uncertain under Trump
By Steve Brawner Since then, momentum has slowed, But the administration’s posi-
Contributing Writer but not stopped. They’re still an option tion on public-private partnerships
for cash-strapped governments. But in is unclear. The sources for Trump’s
A decade ago, a story in Mother recent days, President Donald Trump’s remarks were Democratic congressmen
Jones magazine headlined “The administration has moved from who attended the meeting. According to
Highwaymen,” and reprinted in embracing P3s to questioning them. the Washington Post, Rep. Brian Higgins
Arkansas Trucking Report, anticipated Trump made headlines in (D-N.Y.), said Trump “dismissed it
the growth of privately managed high- September during a meeting with categorically and said it doesn’t work.”
ways. The story was published after Republicans and Democrats on the But another Democrat at the meeting,
the leasing of the Indiana Toll Road House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. John Larson of Connecticut, said
in 2006, when it appeared that such when he reportedly said public-private he didn’t believe Trump was rejecting all
public-private partnerships, or P3s, were partnerships don’t work with infra- public-private partnerships, according
on the rise. structure construction. to Bloomberg News.
24 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
As of this writing, nothing official
has been released by the administration
beyond a comment to the Post from an “THE FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT ACKNOWLEDGED
unnamed White House official. The
official said there are “legitimate ques- THAT THESE PARTNERSHIPS, A.K.A. TOLLS, ARE MORE
tions” about public-private partnerships, TROUBLE THAN THEY’RE WORTH IS EXACTLY WHAT
and they are “not the silver bullet for WE ARE SAYING, THAT TOLLS ARE THE WORST TOOL
all of our nation’s infrastructure prob-
lems.” The official said the administra- IN THE TOOLBOX, AND THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF
tion is still considering its options, the THE TABLE, AND WE HOPE THAT HE’S SEEING THAT.”
Post reported.
—STEPHANIE KANE, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR
WORST TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX TOLL-FREE INTERSTATES
If Trump has now soured on P3s,
it would be a reversal from his previ-
ous statements. During the presidential Associations’ senior vice president, fed- Interstates, the ATA is not necessarily
campaign, he called for expanding eration relations and industry affairs, opposed to P3s for new construction.
private sector investment as part of a said Trump’s comments caught the ATA “Our stance has always been, if
$1 trillion infrastructure proposal. In by surprise. Much remains unknown. someone’s going to build new capacity,
May, the White House said the federal So where does the administration and we’re not legally bound to take it,
government would provide about $200 go from here? The Post reported that then so be it,” Lynch said. “Put some
billion to encourage further spending Higgins said Trump said the federal skin in the game and take some risk.
by states, local governments and private government would pay for infrastruc- But something like the Indiana Toll
entities. Secretary of Transportation ture improvements. But again, little Road is something we would always
Elaine Chao has said private invest- else has come from an administration oppose when you’re taking a road that
ment would be an important facet of that is trying to repeal and replace the we’ve been paying for for years and then
the plan. That stance was repeated dur- Affordable Care Act, pushing for tax moving it into the private sector. We
ing an August meeting at the White reform, raising the debt ceiling, and watched the tolls on the Indiana turn-
House involving her and state directors working with a self-imposed deadline pike increase about 101 percent in the
of transportation, including Arkansas for dealing with immigrants brought first five years, and we didn’t see neces-
Department of Transportation Director to America illegally as children by their sarily a change in service. We were just
Scott Bennett. families. Lynch questions if there is paying a whole lot more.”
The news of Trump’s change of political will in Washington for a high- The Arkansas Trucking Association
heart was cautiously cheered by groups way plan and suspects it will be at least opposes any effort to privatize part
that oppose or are skeptical of P3s. the first quarter of 2018 before infra- of the nation’s highway system, said
Stephanie Kane, spokesperson for the structure gets a serious look. President Shannon Newton.
Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates, said Lynch’s fear is that Congress will “Almost 99 percent of the funds
her group had feared the administra- eventually “devolve” the issue of high- collected through fuel taxes go back
tion’s infrastructure bill would rely way funding down to the states while into roads. Tolls cost motorists much
heavily on private operators. loosening federal restrictions. Because more, because they not only include the
“The fact that the president states don’t have any money, either, cost of the road, but also an additional
acknowledged that these partnerships, they would eventually turn to the pri- profit margin is tacked on to make
a.k.a. tolls, are more trouble than vate sector, leading to tolling of existing the project worthwhile for private
they’re worth is exactly what we are say- interstates. investors,” she said.
ing, that tolls are the worst tool in the “Does it allow Congress and the Bennett, director of the Arkansas
toolbox, and they should be taken off administration to say, ‘Well, we didn’t Department of Transportation, is open
the table, and we hope that he’s seeing do it. We didn’t privatize it. We didn’t to tolling, but it must be viable. The
that,” she said. rely on the private sector,’ but eventu- state DOT has conducted more than 50
Her coalition includes the ally that’s what happens anyway?” he tolling studies during the past 50 years.
American Trucking Associations, all asked. The only place tolling would have been
50 state trucking associations, and the ATA opposes privatization of exist- workable was the Bella Vista Bypass,
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers ing roads. It also opposes truck-only and that was before rising construction
Association. toll roads, as Rhode Island plans to do
John Lynch, the American Trucking on I-95. Like the Alliance for Toll-Free
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 25
costs made it less so. The department considering private options. local governments from expanding near-
studied tolling on I-40 from North Indiana serves as a cautionary tale. by roads. As “The Highwaymen” pointed
Little Rock to West Memphis to add a On June 29, 2006, the state received out, P3s have benefitted big businesses
lane in each direction. If only the new $3.8 billion from a foreign consortium like Goldman Sachs, which was advising
lane is tolled, it’s not feasible. If the that included Cintra, a construction governments on privatizing highways
entire interstate is tolled, it would be, firm based in Spain, and the Macquarie while it also was investing in those high-
but tolling existing interstates is illegal Infrastructure Group. In return, the ways. The firm earned a $20 million
under federal law. private contractors would operate the advisory fee from Indiana. Meanwhile,
“It’s not the silver bullet,” Bennett Indiana Toll Road for 75 years, sup- P3s allow elected officials to pass off dif-
said earlier this year. “It can help bridge posedly earning more than $11 billion ficult political decisions such as raising
gaps at some point, but for the most over that time period, according to tolls to unelected private companies.
part, they’re going to have to be able to “The Highwaymen.” Instead, the opera- According to Lynch, financial enti-
have a return on that investment. That tor filed for bankruptcy in 2014, and ties often don’t plan on owning the
usually means tolls, and to make tolls now it is operated by Australia-based roads throughout the length of the
viable, you really have to have traffic, IFM Investors. Reportedly, Trump cited contract. Instead, they intend to pay
and it’s usually traffic at higher levels Indiana’s experience when he ques- upfront through the capital markets or
than what we have in Arkansas. But tioned the value of P3s. by using their own money, then collect
we’re still going to keep exploring it to Other P3s have not fulfilled their tolls and fees until they break even, and
see if it’s a possibility.” promise or their purpose. When the then unload the asset for a profit. Over
recession hit, less capital was available the course of that lease, the road may be
INDIANA: A CAUTIONARY TALE for investing in roads, and traffic vol- owned by multiple operators.
Lynch said momentum has slowed, ume did not meet forecasts. In several instances, the conces-
though not stopped, since the publica- A big concern is the business model sionaire has gone bankrupt. When that
tion of “The Highwaymen.” At the time, involved with P3s. Many of the arrange- happens, its parent company can suck
the Indiana Toll Road had been leased ments involve foreign operators and all the money it can out of the deal, cut
the year before, and other states were include noncompete clauses preventing off the bankrupt entity, and walk away.
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26 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
Then the state ends up being stuck with
the road anyway. “…IN AMERICA WHAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR’S BEEN
“When public-private partnerships
were established in Europe decades ago, VERY GOOD AT IS PUSHING THAT RISK RIGHT BACK
it was meant as a means of passing off ON THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WHICH KIND OF DEFEATS
risk onto the private sector,” Lynch said. THE PURPOSE OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.”
“And in America what the private sec-
tor’s been very good at is pushing that —JOHN LYNCH, THE AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS’
risk right back on the public sector,
which kind of defeats the purpose of a SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF FEDERATION RELATIONS AND
public-private partnership.” INDUSTRY AFFAIRS
Lynch said the ATA prefers the fuel
tax, which is the most equitable and published in Arkansas Trucking Report Carolina and Missouri had the option
efficient way of raising money for roads. earlier this year. since 1998 of tolling one road under a
Kane pointed out that the federal pilot program. Tellingly, none
WHO PAYS? AND HOW MUCH? Republican Party has mixed feelings took advantage of that opportunity and
How inefficient are tolls? While about P3s. On the one hand, the party have given their slot back to the federal
administrative costs for the motor fuels is philosophically inclined to transfer- government.
tax are about 1 percent, they can be 30 ring responsibilities to the private sec- Kane said tolling’s unpopularity is
percent of a toll road’s revenues, said tor. On the other hand, tolls negatively understandable.
Stephanie Kane. With electronic tolling, affect Trump voters. “They’re already paying the fuel tax,
those costs fall to 12-20 percent, but According to Kane, at both the so if you slap a toll on that road, you’re
that’s still far higher than the cost of national and state levels, public opposi- essentially taxing someone twice and
the motor fuels tax. tion is strongest to tolls when a project charging them again for something they’ve
Other problems with tolls include appears possible. Tolling is illegal on already helped pay for,” she said. ATR
the fact that they distort the market existing interstates, but Virginia, North
and divert both passenger cars and
trucks onto other roads that were not
built for heavy traffic. That diversion
increases maintenance and construc-
tion costs for local drivers and causes
delays for emergency personnel. Tolls
can be evaded or avoided by out-state
drivers, and the technology can lead to
errors. Tolling a road re-routes traffic
away from businesses that were already
located on the highway. It hits lower
income Americans the hardest and
runs into problems with the millions of
Americans who don’t have digital bank
accounts and therefore can’t be served
by an E-Z Pass. In an ice storm in
Washington, D.C. last winter, prices for
high occupancy toll lanes reached more
than $30 because of “dynamic pricing.”
Moreover, tolls are feasible only in high-
volume traffic areas, not rural states
through which trucks must travel.
“Between the traffic diversion and
the economic impacts on local commu-
nities, it’s not a very business-friendly
venture except for the tolling companies
who are running the road and making a
profit off of it,” said Kane in an article
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 27
Talking
Turkey
Josh Thompson shares his
experiences from catching
turkeys to running a
trucking company
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JOHN DAVID PITTMAN
28 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
By Lacey Thacker
Contributing Writer
AT ONLY 34 YEARS OLD, Josh Thompson, president of
Lew Thompson & Son Trucking, is already a twenty-
year veteran of the trucking industry. After a youth
spent assisting his father at work, a need for office help
temporarily—he thought—derailed his plans for college.
But, the work suited him, and somehow he never quite
left. Today, Lew Thompson & Son Trucking is experiencing
extraordinary growth due to their solid record of
professionalism and their ability to adapt quickly in a
market where flexibility is the name of the game.
Lew Thompson & Son has five terminals; four are located in Arkansas and
one in Carthage, Mo. It’s at the location in Huntsville, Ark. that Thompson spends
most of his days. The exterior of the less than ten-year-old brick office is well-
maintained, and the trucks lined up in a tidy row are freshly washed.
Josh Thompson is a tall, unassuming fellow with laugh lines around his eyes.
Despite his laid-back attitude, it’s clear once he begins speaking that he is the
embodiment of hard work and professionalism. He starts his story at a logical
place—the beginning: “I had a plan to get my bachelor’s degree in business. But
when I was 18, Dad needed some help in the office. He wanted to know if I would
come help him for a little while. My plan was to work in the office for six months
or a year until we found someone else to help. Once I got in there, I just never left.
I enjoyed it. It was a fit.” It was a fit, but one Thompson had been growing into his
entire life.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 29
Looking back, Thompson says he’s By high school, Josh was spend- has coached a baseball team for the
always enjoyed trucking. “I’ve always ing his weekends washing trucks and last five years, though he notes that in
had a fascination with trucking from his afternoons after school as a yard the summer, the family’s real love is
the time I was a little kid. At one time spotter. For the first year the company going to nearby Beaver Lake, where they
I wanted to drive a truck, and then I offered that service, Josh was the only keep a boat they visit nearly every other
decided against that. I’ve always liked man on the job, but the company weekend.
being around them. Of course part of quickly hired another two people as
that may have been because that’s all I need increased. Thompson’s entire first “EVERY DAY IS AN ADVENTURE.”
know,” he explains, given that his dad year of wages from working for his dad After going to work in the office at
had been in the vehicle business since earned him enough to purchase his 18, Thompson began by filling the role
Thompson was a small boy. first vehicle when he was 15: a 1968 of dispatcher before eventually moving
When Thompson was 3 or 4 years Camaro. “It was three-fourths of the into a management role. He became
old, his father Lew Thompson, opened way complete when I got it, but I had vice president and then president, step-
a tire shop, which he operated until to spend some money on it and do a ping into the role when his father semi-
Josh was 14. At that point, Lew began lot of work to it,” Thompson says with retired about a year and a half ago. Over
driving with just one truck. According a smile. He sits comfortably at his desk the course of his career, he says he’s
to Josh, his father saw not just a busi- as he continues, “[Today] I’ve got a ’39 done a little bit of everything.
ness opportunity, but the opportunity Ford pickup, a ’32 Ford Roadster and Originally, Thompson says he imag-
to tackle a new challenge. of course the ’70 Chevelle.” Though ined he would drive for a living, but as
Lew began hauling for Butterball Thompson still considers himself a car he grew older, he realized he wanted to
Turkey. After six months of hauling guy, most of his free time now is spent be home every night. “It’s a tough life
three loads a week to Dallas, the distri- with his wife Kendra and two sons Jace, being a driver, being away from home
bution manager for Butterball, Lowell 6, and Jagger, 10. for a week or two at a time,” Thompson
Johnson, asked Lew to put on a second Pictures of the family sit on a says. This firsthand understanding of
truck. He did so, and continued adding sideboard, along with baseball and that difficulty reinforces his belief in
trucks as customers’ needs increased. t-ball team photographs. Thompson doing all he can to attract and retain
30 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
good drivers. Thompson tries to focus “WE HAVE 210 EMPLOYEES; THAT’S 210 FAMILIES
their business on lanes that get their
drivers home every few days instead of THAT DEPEND ON THIS COMPANY’S SUCCESS. SO I
every few weeks. Though he says they REALLY TRY TO PUT ALL MY HEART AND SOUL INTO
do have lanes that require a driver to be IT AND THINK ABOUT EVERY EMPLOYEE ON EVERY
out for a week or two at a time, “In the
majority of our lanes, the driver’s out DECISION I MAKE. HOW IS IT GOING TO AFFECT EACH
and back within two days at most. So PERSON?”
that helps us get quality drivers.”
After washing trucks and direct- —JOSH THOMPSON, PRESIDENT OF
ing yard traffic for a couple of years, LEW THOMPSON & SON TRUCKING
Thompson moved into the maintenance
shop at 16. There, he worked mainte-
nance on the trucks until he graduated like you’ve been in a fight when you Today, the company has two main
high school. get done. I did that and I realized real customers, Butterball Turkey and Ozark
The few months immediately before quick, ‘That’s not the future for me.’” Mountain Poultry, and they do a little
and after graduating, he worked on the Though Thompson has done it all, bit of everything for those customers.
crew catching turkeys. To illustrate how he says it’s washing trucks that, look- They’re involved from start to finish,
difficult the job is, Thompson explains, ing back, he enjoyed the most, likely first collecting the baby poults or chicks
in one year their seven-man crew went because he could see his progress from from the hatchery and delivering them
through 87 different employees. “It’s a start to finish. That pride in well- to farms. Next, they haul feed from the
very tough job. When you go to grab a maintained vehicles continues into the feed mill to the farms, before picking
40-pound turkey and try to put them in fleet’s care today, where, he says, “We up the grown poultry from the farms
a coop, those things will flog you and take pride in our vehicles looking good and delivering it to the processing
hit you in the face. You come out pretty as you can tell out here. We try to keep plants. Finally, they haul the finished
scratched and beaten up. You look them shined and polished.” product in refrigerated trucks to the
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 31
grocery stores. In total, Lew Thompson
& Son has 160 trucks and 259 trailers, Josh Thompson
and about 100 of those trucks operate
in the live division, Thompson says. At-a-Glance:
It wasn’t until the year 2000 that the
company first began hauling feed and FAMILY: Wife Kendra and two sons, Jace, 6, and Jagger, 10
live haul. Until then, the company had WHAT’S THE BEST CONCERT YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO?
operated strictly in the refrigerated
space, carrying the finished product to Surprisingly, Garth Brooks. That man can put on a show!
grocery stores. But from 2000 to 2001, WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION? Skiing and snowmobiling in
the company brought on four live haul the mountains of Colorado
trucks and two feed trucks, and today, BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED? You don’t learn to walk by
it’s the largest part of their business.
Live production changes from day following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.
to day, and Thompson says there’s never WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Recently it has been my best
a dull moment. In one day, the number friend Gabe. He lost his wife to cancer about 22 months ago, and
of birds being processed may go up or just last week, he lost his only son Eli, 11, to a tragic accident. It
down from planned estimates by 5,000 amazes me how he has been able to hold himself together through all
or more. Because of that, Thompson this and still look at life with hope. I don’t think I could. His faith in
says, “You have to be fluid in your plan- Jesus has challenged me to be a better person.
ning. Because if you’re not fluid and
you’re not able to react quickly, you’ll be
left behind.” Thompson with his family
In the niche market Lew Thompson in Telluride, Colo.
& Son operates in, every day is a new
day—and for Josh Thompson, that’s part
of the appeal. “There are just so many
moving parts to make everything work
together. The poultry processing plants
are relying on a bird to weigh a certain
amount to make it to market. Each
grade of bird has a different destination.
So, they may plan on having 20 loads
going to destination A, but when birds
come in and they grade different, then
you have 15 loads going to destination
B and five loads going to destination C
that you hadn’t planned on. You’ve got
to react quickly.” It’s not just the sudden
load and destination changes that make
logistics a challenge, it’s organizing Thompson explains that before the seasonal spike in volume. Not an
and dispatching drivers combined with the holidays, Butterball produces fresh easy task in the middle of a driver
those sudden changes. Thompson points turkey instead of frozen (which are pro- shortage.
out that their local drivers are in a day duced year round), and the fresh tur-
cab without a sleeper, so they are unable keys have a short shelf-life. He says they HAIRPIN CURVES AND
to go out more than a couple hundred haul over 12 million pounds per week DIRT ROADS
miles, which adds to the challenge of of fresh turkeys—running 7 days a week In addition to logistics, running
orchestrating unexpected situations. for 5 weeks straight. a trucking company also means man-
“Every day is an adventure,” he finishes. “Butterball produces over 1 billion aging drivers—something Thompson
The biggest adventure is the pounds of turkey per year, and if you eat is very conscious of. To keep drivers
upcoming season. Because turkey haul- a Butterball turkey, we have hauled it,” as happy as possible, the company
ing is the core of Thompson’s busi- Thompson says. orders trucks that are what he consid-
ness, the 4 to 6 weeks leading up to The busy season requires an abun- ers owner/operator spec’d, saying he
Thanksgiving is his busiest time of year. dance of extra drivers to accommodate believes it helps them attract quality
32 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
drivers. Every truck has a refrigera- & Son has experienced astonishing weren’t a good fit for both parties.
tor, lots of chrome, and is generally growth of 40%, but when asked what And that’s part of the company’s
just nicer than the average fleet truck. type of marketing contributed to that success. Thompson tries to keep their
That upgrade doesn’t come cheap, but growth, Thompson replied that they’ve business to what it does best—live and
Thompson considers it worth it. “We not once gone out and sought new fresh production. “That type of busi-
can spend as much as $10–15,000 more business. Instead, all their growth has ness takes a whole lot more resources to
per truck by ordering them that way been from customers coming to them, manage,” Thompson says. Additionally,
as opposed to ordering them a little which, Thompson says, is a testament Thompson says the drivers must be top
cheaper. But we think if it attracts a to their service level. “We try to put our notch, because, “You can’t just put any
better quality driver and we retain customers’ needs first. We look at profit class A CDL driver in a truck hauling
those drivers, then it’s well worth it,” second. Profit and growth is always sec- live poultry over the mountains. Some
Thompson says, particularly in north- ond and third,” he says. of these farms are five miles up a dirt
west Arkansas, where they’re compet- Thompson continues, “In north- road. There’s hairpin turns. These loads
ing with large companies like Walmart west Arkansas, pretty much everyone are very top heavy, so it takes an expe-
Transportation, J.B. Hunt Transport, now knows Lew Thompson Trucking. rienced driver to do that kind of stuff.”
and Tyson Foods for drivers. Because Everyone in the industry is pretty close- Some of the locations drivers must navi-
of that competition, it can be difficult ly connected, so because you’re hauling gate involve dirt roads so narrow that if
to attract and retain good drivers, he for one customer, another customer the truck meets a car, it must back up
says, but the quality of trucks helps the knows you’re providing them good almost two full miles before there is a
company be more successful in that service. And when they have a need, turn-around spot.
endeavor. Their numbers seem to prove they usually call us up.” Thompson
their efforts, as Thompson explains, “I says the company doesn’t accept just WILLING TO DO THE
think the trucking industry averages any offer that comes their way. Instead, DIRTY WORK
about 90% turnover, but our turnover they evaluate the customer’s needs and When asked about what his
ratio is only about 20%.” their own ability to meet that need. employees think about him in his role
In the last year, Lew Thompson Thompson has declined offers that
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 33
As for whether Thompson has
“ …IT MAKES AN IMPRESSION WHEN YOUR the same retirement-averse gene? It’s
at least a couple of decades away, but
EMPLOYEES SEE THAT YOU’RE WILLING TO Thompson is pretty sure the answer
GET DIRTY, SO TO SPEAK, AND NOT THINK is yes, saying, “I would like to think I
TWICE ABOUT IT.” could slow down long enough to retire,
but I’m not geared that way. I would
definitely like to slow down at some
— JOSH THOMPSON, PRESIDENT OF LEW point. But as far as being able to just
THOMPSON & SON TRUCKING retire and not have a care in the world?
No. I’ll never be able to be like that.”
When working in a 24/7 industry,
as the boss, Thompson pauses briefly to be able to help and they’re more even taking a day off or going out to eat
before tilting his head as he responds, likely to respect you for it. According can be difficult. Thompson finds that
“Pretty easy going. I like to think that to Thompson, “At least from what I’ve even when he’s out to eat for a quick
I’m well respected just because I’ve been seen, these employees, when they see night out with his wife, he’s answer-
there and done it. I drove a truck. I you out there in the trenches, so to ing the phone, which he finds nearly
worked in the shops. I have caught tur- speak, working with them, they respect impossible to turn off even on vaca-
keys. I’ve done a little bit of everything. you a lot more and they will come to tion. “We’ll go on a vacation for three
I would never ask an employee to do you with problems because they know or four days and I’ve got my phone on
what I wouldn’t do myself.” you understand what they’re faced with. the whole time dealing with stuff. She’s
That isn’t an empty statement, They have a lot less respect for you always on me like, ‘You don’t ever get
either. The week before, Thompson being a boss or owner of the company any time away from work. You’ve got to
recounts, the wash pit that catches all if you’ve never been out there and done give yourself some down time.’ That’s
the sediment from the truck wash filled it.” Because of that, Thompson says he’s all I’ve ever known. I take huge pride in
up and had to get cleaned out. They particularly grateful to his dad for get- my job,” Thompson says. He’s not only
brought in a backhoe and a pumper ting him involved and working in the proud of the work he does, he’s aware of
truck, which is similar to trucks used industry at a young age. how that work affects others.
to clean out septic tanks, but the Thompson says that until his father “We have 210 employees; that’s
pumper truck could not get all the way had seven or eight trucks they oper- 210 families that depend on this com-
down into the bottom of the tank. The ated an office the size of a closet. “He’ll pany’s success. So I really try to put all
only option available? A shovel—and joke and say, ‘I worked out of a phone my heart and soul into it and think
Thompson was the lucky winner who booth.’ Because the office was, literally, about every employee on every decision
got to wield it. He just shrugs matter an eight-foot by eight-foot office.” In I make. How is it going to affect each
of factly when he says, “Well, no one November, they’ll break ground on an person?” Thompson likens his thought
else was willing to do it, so it was me expansion that will nearly double their process to having an accountability
or else. So I jumped in there and did office space, as Thompson says that partner there to ensure the right deci-
it. I think I earned some respect that many administrative functions that sions are made and that he stays on top
way. It makes an impression when your should really be housed in one office are of his game. After all, “You’re affecting
employees see that you’re willing to get currently spread out over their five loca- over 200 people’s lives” with every deci-
dirty, so to speak, and not think twice tions because they don’t have the office sion, he says.
about it.” Thompson considers further, space required to put everyone under As for the next generation of
“I’ve just worked hard all my life. That’s one roof. Thompsons? Both enjoy spending time
all I’ve ever known, really.” Thompson While Thompson’s father is semi- at the office after school, where they
says if he wanted something, he was retired, his mother, who founded the can frequently be found jumping in
taught he’d need to work for it—every- company with Thompson’s father, works and out of parked trucks. “They both
thing is earned. As a result, Thompson as hard today as she’s ever worked. think they’re going to be involved in the
has always believed in getting his hands Thompson recalls that five years ago business. Actually, they think they’re
dirty. she thought she wanted to retire, so involved in it today,” Thompson adds
It’s his willingness to do the for six months she only worked one with a laugh. Thompson still drives
work that contributes to his success day a week. According to Thompson, occasionally, when they’re shorthanded
as a leader. Thompson says when you after about six months of that she said, or to pick up an extra load—and his
understand your people and can relate “Retirement’s not for me,” and came sons are the first ones to say, “I’m going
to their struggles, you’re more likely back to work. with you, Dad.” ATR
34 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
Building Partnerships
That Last
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
IN COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION CLAIMS SINCE 1962 INCLUDING
HEAVY EQUIPMENT, CARGO, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS.
CIA Transportation Claims Magazine Arkansas Ad.indd 1 8/21/17 12:39 PM
Practice What You Preach
UCA professor earns his CDL to take trucking skills to the classroom
By Deana Nall
Contributing Writer
As the summer of 2017 began,
while most professors were teach-
ing summer classes, writing articles,
attending conferences, serving on com-
mittees, writing grant proposals and
preparing for the upcoming school year,
Dr. Doug Voss, associate professor of
logistics and supply chain management
at the University of Central Arkansas,
had a different plan. He enrolled in
truck driving school.
This wasn’t because Voss was seek-
ing a career change. He signed up for the
intensive, four-week course to make his
own teaching more authentic and valu-
able to his students. As part of the degree
plan for the new major and minor in “TO TEACH TENNIS LESSONS, YOU NEED TO LEARN A
logistics and supply chain management, FEW SWINGS. I WANTED TO LEARN A FEW SWINGS.”
Voss teaches courses in transportation
and safety and motor carrier policy.
Most of his students will go on to work —DR. DOUG VOSS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF LOGISTICS
in trucking companies or firms that deal AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AT THE
with trucking companies. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
“I think that if you’re going to
teach trucking, and specifically if you
are going to teach safety in trucking,
you need to know the basics of how a
truck works,” Voss says. “To teach ten- pre-trip inspections of the truck and roads in the U.S., compared to 3,000
nis lessons, you need to learn a few preparing for tests at a simulated test- from gun violence. We hear about gun
swings. I wanted to learn a few swings.” ing site. Everything centers around the deaths on the news, but we don’t fre-
So, to practice what he preaches, most important concept in the UACC quently hear about car deaths.”
Voss enrolled in the Commercial program, in Voss’s courses at UCA and in The UACC course began with an
Driver Training Program at University the trucking industry: safety. in-depth study of the anatomy of a
of Arkansas Community College at “Safety is a key part of trucking truck, and how the different parts work.
Morrilton. Four days a week, Voss and in general, and it’s also a key part of Voss and his classmates spent hours
his classmates had instruction time from my students’ everyday lives,” Voss says. learning how to back up a truck with a
7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The days included “Last year, 40,000 people were killed on 53-foot trailer, which Voss says might
36 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
be the most daunting challenge he
encountered in the program, and navi-
gating various obstacles that come with
operating a vehicle of that size. Even
though Voss has been preparing stu- “MY FORD F-150 SURE DOES FEEL
dents to work with the trucking indus- A LOT SMALLER NOW.”
try for years, his role as a student in the
CDL class opened his eyes to the reali-
ties professional truck drivers encounter
every day on the job.
“I didn’t appreciate how challeng- “We try to impress upon students build that safety culture,” he says. “You
ing truck-driving is until I got involved how risky driving a vehicle is,” he says. have to know what to think about when
in this class,” Voss says. “On the first or “We also want to teach them how to planning routes. Safety has to be a top of
second day, I made the comment to one drive their vehicles around trucks, and the mind function. We have to impress
of the instructors that my Ford F-150 how they can make their trucks safe. upon them that they are sharing the
sure does feel a lot smaller now. We There are parts of this class that go road with everybody else. You don’t fully
think if you drive a Suburban that you’re beyond the students’ professional lives. appreciate this until you get up inside
driving a big vehicle, and it’s true. You So I hope that at some point, someone’s the truck and learn to drive it. Students
are driving a big vehicle and that takes life will be saved by taking this class.” need to know general information about
some special care as well. But it takes a Students in this course are primar- stopping distances, and how to judge
whole different skillset to get out there ily juniors and seniors, and throughout those in a truck, how much space should
and drive a 53-foot truck around, which the semester, they hear from top profes- be between the truck and the car in
is basically a warehouse on wheels.” sionals in the field who visit the class as front of the truck, how to secure loads,
Overseen by the Arkansas State guest speakers, including Dean Newell, and how to slide axles and the weight
Police, the CDL licensing process at vice president of safety and driver train- distribution on the axles. So I hope my
UACC requires a series of tests that ing at North Little Rock-based Maverick students graduate with that safety cul-
include a written exam and a final Transportation; Scott Bennett, direc- ture philosophy and they can use it in
exam. The final is a three-part test con- tor of the Arkansas Department of their personal and professional lives.”
sisting of an air-brake test, a pre-trip Transportation; and Todd Venable, sales Earlier in his career, Voss often
inspection and a grueling skills test. for MHC Kenworth. And Voss’s expe- found himself explaining logistics and
“The skills test is where you have rience behind the wheel as a student supply chain management because
to do a straight back, an offset back of truck driving has given him more those fields were not yet commonly
and a 90-degree back,” Voss says. “The invaluable information to pass on to his known. He stumbled onto the field
backing test is really the most nerve- students. himself at the University of Arkansas.
wracking.” “Our students will in some way, The graduate of Little Rock’s Hall High
After completing the course, Voss directly or indirectly, manage truck School originally knew he didn’t want
has taken his heightened perspec- drivers,” Voss says. “They need to have to spend his life chained to a desk, and
tive on truck-driving into his own an appreciation for driving a truck and thought a career in forestry would help
classrooms in the Logistics and Supply feeling a kinship with truck drivers. To him avoid a career of office work. But
Chain Management program at UCA. just know the anatomy of that truck the U of A didn’t offer a forestry degree.
This brand new major (a minor is will allow the students to speak the So he found his way to marketing, and
also offered) graduated two students same language that a truck driver does. that’s where he discovered the field of
in the spring of 2017, and currently It’s important for them to feel that kin- logistics. Voss got his first job working
has 35 majors and 15-20 minors. One ship, and to have some appreciation for in logistics with J.B. Hunt while he was
of Voss’s courses, Safety and Motor how hard it is to drive a truck.” still in school at the U of A. He earned
Carrier Policy, emphasizes more than Trucking companies have to do his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at
one aspect of safety. Vehicle safety con- more than address safety issues, Voss Arkansas before moving on to Michigan
tinues to be a priority in the trucking says. They must build a culture of safety State University for his Ph.D. All three
industry. In the U.S. in 2015, 4,311 large from within the company. He helps of Voss’s degrees are in logistics.
trucks and buses were involved in fatal instill this mindset in his students by When Voss arrived at UCA ten
crashes, which was an eight-percent relating the principles he learned in years ago, part of his role was to increase
increase from the previous year, accord- commercial driver training. awareness and understanding of logistics
ing to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety “To be safe, you don’t just have to and supply chain management.
Administration. know the parts of the truck, you have to
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 37
Veterans make up 25 percent of trucking’s workforce. Thank you to
Arkansas Road Team Captains and to all the brave men and women
who have served our country and industry.
MARK BUCKLEY DANNY FULLER ROBERT KELLEY
USA TRUCK XPO LOGISTICS WALMART TRANSPORTATION
NAVY MARINE CORPS NAVY
1979-1987 1981-1985 1980-1984
LARRY RHEIN ARTHUR SCHMECKENBECHER
FEDEX FREIGHT ABF FREIGHT
MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS
1983-1987 1967-1968
“I faced the challenge of trying “Our program has received some for Veterans and Military Families
to sell people, to share with people good exposure,” Voss says. “Students are found that many veterans forgo pursu-
the beauty of this field and why it’s so starting school knowing what logistics ing college degrees because they fear
important,” he says. “We wouldn’t have and supply chain management are. I they will not fit in on a college campus.
anything we have without the trucking think we’re currently larger than some This has resulted in an effort to make
industry. You have to share with stu- of the other majors in the College of the college experience more welcoming
dents why they should drive a truck and Business, so I think it’s going to grow.” to veterans, and UCA’s logistics program
why it’s a great field.” In Arkansas, U of A and Arkansas is doing exactly that.
Dr. Michael Hargis, dean of the State University also have logistics “We currently have a push for
College of Business at UCA, says Voss degree programs. ROTC and veteran students to get
has been an essential part of the col- “Each of the schools’ programs involved,” Voss says. “Especially veter-
lege’s efforts to build academic pro- focus on different things,” Voss says. ans. One of the core functions of the
grams focused on logistics and supply “Ours at UCA has the most focus on military is you have to be able to move
chain management. the trucking industry.” stuff, so veterans are very good at logis-
“TO BE SAFE, YOU DON’T JUST HAVE TO KNOW THE PARTS OF THE TRUCK, YOU
HAVE TO BUILD THAT SAFETY CULTURE. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT TO THINK
ABOUT WHEN PLANNING ROUTES. SAFETY HAS TO BE A TOP OF THE MIND
FUNCTION. WE HAVE TO IMPRESS UPON THEM THAT THEY ARE SHARING THE
ROAD WITH EVERYBODY ELSE. YOU DON’T FULLY APPRECIATE THIS UNTIL YOU
GET UP INSIDE THE TRUCK AND LEARN TO DRIVE IT.”
“His knowledge of the field, along The minor in logistics and sup- tics. It’s a natural fit. We have four fac-
with his involvement with state and ply chain management also serves an ulty members and two are veterans. So
regional advisory boards, has allowed important purpose, since there are skills our program becomes a comfortable fit
us to build a major and minor program other than business that are important for veterans.”
that is consistent with our core mission in business, Voss explains. Even though Voss completed
as a College of Business—a mission that “A student might major in UACC’s Commercial Driver Training
is focused on building rigorous aca- communication and minor in logistics Program, don’t expect to see him log-
demic programs that provide relevant, and supply chain management,” ging miles on the highway any time
experiential learning opportunities that he says. “They can take those soon. He’s going to stick with driving to
help prepare students for productive communication skills and apply them UCA every day in his Ford F-150.
and rewarding careers,” Hargis says. in a lot of different ways.” “You probably don’t want me driv-
“In addition, Dr. Voss has been a strong The Logistics and Supply Chain ing your truck,” he says. “Could I do it?
advocate for our students. He has solid Management degree at UCA is helping Yes. Is it something I would like to do
relationships with multiple employers to meet another need. This program to for a living? At some point, I think
and those connections are helpful as of study is proving to be a great fit for it would be fun to do. But I think I can
our students look for internship oppor- veterans who are returning to campus. do a greater good by doing what I’m
tunities and jobs.” Nationwide, colleges and universities doing.
Years ago, Voss had to explain have been experiencing lower num- “We’re so appreciative to the truck-
the field of logistics to people who had bers of veterans, despite the Post-9/11 ing industry and the state of Arkansas
never heard of it. But word of the field GI Bill, which is the most extensive for allowing us to do what we do,” he
and UCA’s program has spread since education asset offered to veterans says. “So I hope we deliver some value
then. Now, prospective students contact since World War II, according to the back to the taxpayers. We serve an
UCA’s College of Business to inquire Chronicle of Higher Education. A 2014 important industry and we take that
about the logistics program. study at Syracuse University’s Institute very seriously.” ATR
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 39
They Like Us; They Really Like Us
ATA works to improve the image of trucking around the state
By Bethany May
Managing Editor
In January 2016, an in-state survey
indicated that 43 percent of respondents
felt “favorable” (18 percent very favor-
able and 25 percent somewhat) toward
trucking. It also noted that people feel
more favorably toward trucking when
they know someone who works inside
the industry.
One of the tenants of the Arkansas
Trucking Association mission statement
is to promote the dynamics of trucking
so that people have a better understand- THIS YEAR, WE HAVE TRIED TO TELL STORIES OF
ing of the link between the industry
and the standard of living they enjoy. OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY, PURSUIT OF THE
ATA wants the public to not just tolerate FUTURE, AND INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE, AND WE’VE
the trucks on the road, but to get truck- ENCOURAGED OUR MEMBERS TO USE THEIR OWN
ing, to understand what it contributes
and to appreciate that contribution. VOICES TO DO THE SAME. BECAUSE IF WE ARE NOT
A follow-up survey was conducted THE AUTHOR OF TRUCKING’S STORY, THEN SOMEONE
by the same pollster in June 2017, and ELSE WILL BE.”
trucking in Arkansas has earned a Sally
Field moment from the 1985 Oscars, —SHANNON NEWTON, ATA PRESIDENT
clutching the award, “You like me; you
really like me.” The follow-up survey
results indicate that the public likes
trucking right now. Really likes truck- we are safe, we are forward-thinking, WE ARE SAFE
ing more than they did 18 months ago. and we are invested in people and Sending the message that trucking
Now, 63 percent responded that they communities. cares about safety has meant ATA needs
feel favorable toward trucking (28 per- “This year, we have tried to tell to show up and be advocates for better
cent very and 35 percent somewhat). stories of our commitment to safety, highways to the elected officials who
While there’s no way to pinpoint pursuit of the future, and investment in determine where the funds will come
what has so remarkably moved the nee- people, and we’ve encouraged our mem- from to build and maintain infrastruc-
dle on trucking’s image in Arkansas by bers to use their own voices to do the ture and how those funds can be used.
20 percentage points, it’s no accident. same,” said Shannon Newton, president ATA makes the case for funding
ATA has been working on image of the ATA. “Because if we are not the highways and regulations that protect
efforts throughout the state and has author of trucking’s story, then some- rather than hinder safety. The goal is to
aimed to send a clear message: that one else will be.” explain why strong roads and uniform
40 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
regulation matter so legislators and the
public know this is what is on the mind
of everyone in trucking.
“We want our reputation for safety
to precede us,” said Newton.
In the last 18 months, ATA has
organized two Call on Washington
events for members to travel to Capitol
Hill and meet with Arkansas’ federal
delegation to discuss these pressing
issues that legislators have power to
affect.
Newton also testified in numer-
ous legislative meetings, educating state
lawmakers on the practical applica-
tions of policies affecting the trans-
portation industry in Arkansas. She
serves on the Arkansas Department
of Transportation’s Freight Advisory
Committee, Transportation Planning
Advisory Group, the Arkansas Highway
Safety Steering Committee, Metroplan “IT’S IMPORTANT ATA IS ENGAGED IN THESE EFFORTS
Regional Planning Advisory Council, SO ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND THE GENERAL
the I-55 Advisory Council, and the
Mack Blackwell Transportation Center PUBLIC KNOW THAT TRUCKING DOES MORE THAN
Advisory Board. JUST TALK ABOUT SAFETY.”
“Lots of commitments, but each
council, committee, group, and board —DAVID O’NEAL, ATA’S VICE PRESIDENT OF SAFETY PROGRAMS
meeting was a room full of eyes and AND INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
ears to bear witness to our story and
how the plot twists in response to leg-
islation, infrastructure investment, competition that recognizes and cel- as a CB radio rather than the complex
attention to freight corridors, capacity, ebrates safe driving. computers that log hours, route deliver-
safety and operational improvements,” Last year, ATA partnered with local ies, connect vehicles, mitigate crashes
Newton said. television stations, the Ad Council and and make the roads safer than they
This summer, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety have ever been.
the Arkansas Highway Police, ATA also Administration in producing 30 second This spring, ATA had the oppor-
promoted and spoke at a kickoff press PSAs to raise awareness about drunk tunity to share the future of trucking
conference for CVSA’s International driving over the holiday season. From with state legislators when lobbying to
Road Check. the week before Thanksgiving until New reduce the mandated distance between
“It’s important ATA is engaged in Year’s Eve, four local TV stations and two trucks. The shorter distance will
these efforts so enforcement officials two news websites ran the PSA with the allow testing of platooning technology
and the general public know that truck- safety message. The same PSA will hit to virtually connect the vehicles on
ing does more than just talk about airwaves again in the upcoming 2017 the road, reducing wind resistance and
safety,” said David O’Neal, vice presi- holiday season on local NBC affiliates. requiring less energy. The law recently
dent of safety programs and industry went into effect, and drivers testing pla-
engagement at ATA. “We want to see it WE ARE FORWARD-THINKING tooning technology won’t have to worry
in practice. We want to see it enforced.” One hurdle ATA has in aligning about a state statute restricting the fol-
In addition to attending safety the public’s perception of trucking with lowing distance between two vehicles.
events, ATA also hosted them. ATA has reality is communicating the extent to And in July, ATA hosted demonstra-
hosted two safety seminars, a dozen which technology shapes the industry. tions of trucking safety systems at the
Safety Management Council meet- Trucking has changed so much in the state fairgrounds, inviting the media
th
ings and the 50 anniversary of the last 85 years, and yet, there are still and the governor’s office staff and sum-
Arkansas Trucking Championship — a people who think of truck technology
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 41
mer interns to learn about trucking and a technician curriculum advisory com- about people and how we are separated
how today’s technology makes trucks mittee to bring together maintenance by just a stretch of road.
and their drivers safer in the face of professionals, technician employers and The industry’s biggest people prob-
highway obstacles. educational institutions to establish lem is there’re not enough of them. The
The event was held in conjunc- basic curriculum outcomes for pro- industry fails to attract a healthy work-
tion with the July Safety Management grams around the state so no matter force so often because the public doesn’t
Council meeting. Newton invited where a student earns his education, he know who the hero of the story is.
interns in attendance to ask questions can be confident that he has learned ATA partnered with the Arkansas
they had about the industry before the the skills an employer expects. State Chamber of Commerce to intro-
duce the real truck driver and diesel
technician to Arkansans through a new
workforce campaign.
Be Pro Be Proud combines site vis-
its at schools around the state with a
robust website and a statewide multime-
dia campaign to give students an accu-
rate picture of what it pays — and what it
takes — to work in fields like trucking.
Truck Centers of Arkansas donated
a truck to pull a Be Pro trailer all
“WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP around the state. ATA’s partnering
OTHERS FEEL THE SAME FONDNESS FOR TRUCKING funds have contributed to equipping
THAT WE DO, BUT THE REAL CHANGE COMES that trailer with hands-on stations and
videos that show students what profes-
FROM BEING A REAL PERSON, NOT A STEREOTYPE, sional skilled trade looks like. Instead of
INSIDE THE INDUSTRY THAT OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, greasy wrenches at the diesel technician
NEIGHBORS, LAWMAKERS KNOW AND RESPECT.” station, visitors are met with a shiny
chrome toolbox and a video on the
STEM processes involved in emission-
—SHANNON NEWTON, ATA PRESIDENT controlled engines.
ATA made a significant investment
ride-along demonstrations, prompt- For its next undertaking, the tech- in the campaign and has already begun
ing valuable dialogue with these future nician curriculum advisory committee to see a return on that investment.
political operatives. Two local news is jumpstarting a technician scholarship The 2017 Be Pro Workshop Tour began
stations also took advantage of the ride- to encourage students who share our Jan. 30, 2017.
along demonstrations. love of technology to pursue a career in • To date, the mobile unit has visited
The Maintenance and Technology trucking maintenance. To date, $15,000 97 events this year reaching 7,535
Committee has also been passionate has been raised with an additional ten teachers, students and parents
about the future, by addressing the thousand committed to the scholar- across the state.
technician shortage and improving ship fund. With the help of the MTC’s • There have been over 119 news
the overall image of diesel technicians new committee, ATA will award its first stories totaling nearly $250,000 in
everywhere. scholarships next spring and continue ad value.
In October, the Legislative to project the image that trucking is
Task Force on Workforce Education forward-thinking in regards to technol- • 256 visitors have requested
Excellence, co-chaired by Sen. Jane ogy and the next generation of people information about a career in truck
English (R-North Little Rock) and Rep. who will maintain and operate that driving; 322 visitors are interested
Bruce Cozart (R-Hot Springs) invited technology. in information regarding truck
the Council to an open forum to driving training
discuss ideal technician training pro- WE ARE INVESTED IN PEOPLE • 261 visitors have requested infor-
grams and how industry, educational AND COMMUNITIES mation about a career as a diesel
institutions and government can work Of all the things ATA does and all technician; 303 visitors are interest-
together to achieve a system that meets the stories they share, the most impor- ed in information regarding diesel
real needs. tant is not about machines, or pave- technician training
Last year, the ATA-MTC established ment, or even the freight delivered. It’s
42 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
Using funds awarded in 2015 ketball’s NCAA Sweet 16 weekend, the trucking that we do, but the real change
from the legislature-enacted Arkansas television commercial made 2,911,000 comes from being a real person, not a
Commercial Truck Safety and Education impressions. During the 2016 holidays, stereotype, inside the industry that our
Program (ACTSEP), ATA was able to ATA ran the commercial again on the friends, family, neighbors, lawmakers
hire a full time safety professional, who, three biggest networks, and it will run know and respect,” Newton said.
in addition to other responsibilities, cre- throughout November 2017 as well. ATA is planning a new commercial
ated and manages the Arkansas Road The video was shared on ATA’s web- and Share the Road video for 2018 to
Team and Share the Road programs. site and social media channels to reach continue the story of safety, progress
Sharing a commitment to highway safe- more than 18,000 online users. and people that move our state and
ty, communication ability and interest “We have done everything we can nation forward and to keep improving
in improving the image of the trucking to help others feel the same fondness for the image of trucking in Arkansas. ATR
industry, thirteen professional drivers
from six different trucking companies
serve as Arkansas Road Team captains,
with four new captains set to begin
their training in the coming weeks.
A branded Arkansas Share the Road
trailer, donated by Utility Tri-State, allows
captains to bring the real thing to schools
and community events around the state.
The captains also starred in a Share the
Road educational video. Pulling from the
Road Team’s own biographies, they are
introduced first as parents, grandparents
and community leaders who are deeply
invested in their hometowns, and who screen
simulation
want safe roads because they want their
own families, friends and neighbors to be
safe every time they share the road with TAKE ON THE FSMA
another vehicle.
In the first two years of the pro- WITH THE NEW
gram, they have visited more than
100 schools throughout the state and STANDARD OF
have more appearances planned for this CLEAN
other events including the Arkansas
Agriculture Education Summer
Teachers’ Conference, the Arkansas
State Fair, Boosters and Big Rigs, and
fall and winter.
But because the Road Team cannot Make a statement with Great Dane’s Everest reefer, the only trailer on
be everywhere, ATA aimed for a wider the market that offers broad-spectrum, 24/7 antimicrobial protection
in its liner for the life of the trailer. Exclusive Microban® antimicrobial
audience in its most intentional image technology fights bacteria, odors and stains, promoting a clean en-
project: a television commercial to reach vironment for your temperature-sensitive deliveries. This breakthrough
viewers in every corner of the state. science now comes standard—because when it comes to safety and
Inspired by Trucking Moves efficiency, we always go the extra mile.
America Forward’s primary message,
ATA produced a 30-second ad that Take on the FSMA with the industry’s most powerful antimicrobial
protection. Let’s go.
shows how trucking moves the economy
and that truck drivers love what we all Learn more at
love — our families. GreatDaneTrailers.com/Everest
The commercial initially ran
thoughout the state on six network Confidential Scientific, Technical Information. Not for Public Release or Dissemination; Not an Offer for Sale.
GREAT DANE AND THE OVAL ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF GREAT DANE LLC. 702 DMD 0417
affiliated stations. Last year, over a nine
week run including during college bas-
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 43
Grills, Goodie Bags and Gratitude
ATA gives thanks for drivers during National Truck Driving Week
By ATR Staff ciation to the following companies
which made the event possible and our
For 18 years, the Arkansas Trucking gratitude evident to the drivers who
Association has been celebrating Truck attended:
Driver Appreciation Week with ham- ABF Freight
burgers, hot dogs, and handshakes for Aon
the men and women who move America Ben E. Keith
forward. This year was no different. CalArk International
On Sept. 13, at the TA Petro Stopping C.C. Jones, Inc.
Center in North Little Rock, volun- Concentra
teers from 22 member companies came Cummins Sales and Service
together to publicly thank professional FedEx Freight
drivers. Great West Casualty Company
The parking lot of TA Petro on I-40 HELP Inc.
was full of tents, volunteers and 800 J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
hot meals. Drivers were greeted with Loggins Logistics, Inc.
goodie bags and lunches straight from Maverick Transportation, LLC
the grill while they were invited to enjoy McKee Foods Transportation, LLC
games and music. National Medtest, Inc. Stephanie Bryant (Stallion
Transportation Group)
ATA president Shannon Newton PLD Transport
said, “It’s so important that drivers Stallion Transportation Group
know we see and appreciate the dedica- TA Petro
tion and sacrifice it takes to deliver our Tyson Foods, Inc.
goods, rain or shine. In 2017, there’s University of Central Arkansas
almost nothing we use and rely on that Wright, Lindsey & Jennings
wasn’t once loaded onto a truck and York Risk Services Group
driven to our homes, stores, schools,
hospitals and churches.”
ATA would like to extend its appre-
Skylar Hatfield (University of
Central Arkansas)
Ron Gillen (CalArk International)
and Darrell Smith (Cummins Sales and
Service)
Arlette Williams (York Risk Services Group), Caitlin Walraven (ATA) and
Malea McElyea (CalArk International) fill goodie bags for drivers
44 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
Garland Rice (Stallion
Transportation Group), Loren
Hatfield (ABF Freight), and
Brody Welcher (Stallion
Transportation Group)
Heather Glover and Stacey Carson
(Maverick Transportation)
Professional Drivers
Bobby and Robin Dollar (National
Medtest)
Sheila and Otto Schmeckenbecher
(ABF Freight)
Robert Kelley (Walmart
Mike Alvey and Chaplain Transportation) flanked by two drivers
David Rohr “Chaplain Dave”
(Tyson Foods)
Douglas Grainger
(Cummins Sales and
Service), Katie Thomason
(ATA), and Steven Grace
(Cummins Sales and
Service)
Volunteers from TA Petro have a tug-of-war
competition
R.B. Price (McKee Foods) with
Thresa Hunter and Alesha Cronk
(PLD Transport)
Caitlin Walraven (ATA) serves
drivers meals on the go ATR
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 45
Trucking Comes to the Table
and Plays for the PAC
ATA hosts trucking execs and legislators at an exclusive fundraiser and golf
tournament for the ATA-PAC
By ATR Staff
FIRST PLACE TEAM:
This year, the annual Arkansas Al Heringer IV,
Trucking Association Political Action Brad Heringer (Star
Committee fundraiser got an upgrade, Transportation), Blake
including two days of events with some Eddins (Eddins & Assoc.),
very special guests. and Will Maddox (Tri-
ATA invited members to come to State Truck Center)
the table for an exclusive reception with
food, drinks and live music at one of
Little Rock’s finest restaurants, Table 28,
to mingle with ATA Board of Directors,
the 40 Under 40 Council and Arkansas
legislators on Sept. 20.
The next morning, players met at
Chenal Country Club in Little Rock,
Ark., for the annual fall golf tour- SECOND PLACE TEAM:
nament. The scores were close, but Adam Campbell, David
Ellis, Rick Hallmark &
the first place trophies went to Star Tom Williamson (Tri-
Transportation’s team. State Truck Center)
The party and tournament brought
together over 80 industry professionals
and lawmakers to support ATA-PAC,
whose mission is to educate policy-
makers, promote advocacy efforts and
financially support public officials and
candidates who support an organiza-
tion’s agenda. Association PACs are
funded by voluntary contributions,
completely apart from the organiza- THIRD PLACE TEAM: Werner
tion’s general treasury. The ATA-PAC Hugo, James Reed (USA Truck)
provides strength in numbers and ben- and Scott Heady (Simmons Bank)
efits from being recognized by elected
leaders.
46 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
ATA-PAC PARTY AND
TOURNAMENT
TITLE SPONSORS:
FedEx Freight
Marrlin Transit, Inc.
Rich Logistics
Stallion Transportation Group
Tanner Parish (MC Express) and Demetri Mendoza, Mallory Scheurer and Star Transportation
Brad Heringer (Star Transportation) Erica Brigance (ArcBest)
PAC PARTY SPONSORS:
Carman, Inc.
MC Express
Malea McElyea (CalArk PAM Transport
International) and Tyler Majors
(PAM Transport) GOLF SPONSORS:
Bill Davis Trucking
C.C. Jones Trucking
Diamond State Trucking
Casey Warren (FedEx Freight), Loggins Logistics
Brandon Clifford (Zero Mountain Marrlin Transit, Inc.
Logistics) and Clay Sanders (Cottingham McGriff, Seibels & Williams
& Butler)
Pilot Flying J
The Larson Group
Twin City Transportation
Walmart Transportation LLC
York Risk Services Group
Rep. Bruce Cozart (R-Hot Springs) and
Sen. Lance Eads (R-Springdale)
Jeff Loggins
(Loggins Logistics)
Brandon Clifford
(Zero Mountain
Logistics), Mark
Emerson (PeopleNet)
Rob Lyall (Tyson Foods), Quincy
Jenkins, Mike McNutt (Distribution
Butch Rice (Stallion Solutions, Inc.) and Alan Riels
Transportation Group) and Sen. (Dedicated Logistics)
Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot)
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2017 47
Steven Phillips and Frank Dyer (FedEx Freight)
Gabe Stephens (C.C. Jones), Quincy Jenkins (Distribution
Solutions, Inc.), Rob Lyall (Tyson Foods) and Jeff Smith (Utility
Tri-State)
Rep. Jim
Sorvillo (R-Little
Rock) and Rep.
Bob Ballinger
(R-Berryville)
Demetri
Mendoza, Patrick
Kelley, Greg Nichols
and Greg Mercer
(ABF Freight and
ArcBest)
Mark Morris (Morris
Transportation) and
Amanda Lamb (ATA)
Tyler Majors, Dan Cushman (PAM Transport)
and David Choate (Aon)
Shannon Newton (ATA) and Butch
Rice (Stallion Transportation Group)
Vickie Burnett (Cottingham & Butler), Charles Arnold (Twin City
Transportation), Werner Hugo (USA Truck), Terry Burnett (Cottingham &
Butler) and James Reed (USA Truck) gather round the table ATR
48 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
“Spot On!”
“I want to let everyone know that the articles in the Arkansas Trucking Report
are spot on! The photos and in-depth coverage are excellent. You get it and it
shows! Keep up the good work that you do for our industry!”
Kevin Burch
Kevin Burch
President, Jet Express, Inc.
Chairman, ATA
Past Chairman, TCA
For advertising information, contact Amanda Lamb at
(501) 372-3462 or [email protected]
Insider Trucking
A look at the latest products, services and news from ATR advertisers
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50 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
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