Tennessee Trucking News Q1 Spring 2020 ~ Trucker Are Essential | ATRI-OOIDA Survey Results | Road Team | TTA's 90th Convention

truckingTENNESSEE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
OF THE TENNESSEE
TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

Q1 SPRING 2020

$4.95 VALUE

NEWS

TRUCKERS
ARE
ESSENTIAL

#ThankATrucker

ATRI-OOIDA COVID
STUDY RESULTS

Road Team Father & Son Duo

TTA’s 90th Convention in 2020

President Trump & Stephen Richardson, Big G Express

800.228.8602 Knowledge is Power

gwccnet.com Not All Trucking Companies Are Alike

Trucking is all we do. When you choose Great West Casualty Company to insure
your trucking business, you are getting over 60 years of experience serving the
trucking industry.

Our agents work with you. We selectively choose agents with a keen focus on
the trucking industry. Our agents are knowledgeable, dependable, and responsive.
They understand your needs and work with you to match the right coverage and
level of service for your trucking operation.

Do one thing, and do it right. Our agents can guide you through the process
and customize a plan to provide you the broadest protection possible. You can be
confident knowing that our service begins, not ends, with the issuance of your policy.

Great West Casualty Company – No matter where the road takes you, you will
discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service®.

With expanded service across
Tennessee, your fleet is in
good hands.

From Memphis to Kingsport, Snider Fleet Solutions has 800-528-2840
got you covered for tire and mechanical service—including
tire management programs. From our 5 locations, we also
provide emergency roadside service 24/7.

Commercial Tires | Mechanical Services | Industrial and OTR Tires

SniderFleet.com

TRUCK SALES | PARTS | SERVICE | BODY SHOP
LEASING & RENTAL | FINANCE | CARRIER

OVER 100 LOCATIONS IN 16 STATES

Chattanooga Knoxville
MHC Kenworth MHC Kenworth
(866) 805-6403 (866) 764-0367

Jackson Memphis
MHC Kenworth MHC Kenworth
(866) 841-7961
MHC Ford
Kingsport (866) 292-8558
MHC Kenworth
(866) 327-5750 Nashville
MHC Kenworth
Dealership (866) 450-3101

Leasing & Rental
Truck Source
Carrier
RoadReady
TRP

mhc.com

TABLE OF CONTENTSTennessee Trucking News OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
Q1 SPRING 2020

P 18 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

COVER STORY 11 How Has 7 Chairman’s Message
Pandemic Affected
TRUCKERS ARE Fleets? Depends... BY CONNIE VAUGHAN
ESSENTIAL
#ThankATrucker Joint ATRI-OOIDA impact of 7 TTA’s Board of Directors
COVID on trucking industry 9 From the President
Tennessee’s trucking community study results
selflessly responds to aid the BY DAVE HUNERYAGER
country in a time of great need; BY STEVE BRANWER
Industry recognized 34 New TTA Members
29 Father Knows Best 34 Calendar of Events
BY DAVID MONTEITH
How Averitt’s father and son 34 Advertiser Resource Index
team, also TTA Road Team
Captains, came to be

BY LYNDON FINNEY

32 TTA’s Road Team
BY CATHERINE STUART

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 5

When Neely B. Coble and his
son opened the doors of Neely
Coble Company in 1951,

there were few truck dealerships to model the
business after. However, with great foresight, they
knew they could offer the Tennessee trucking
industry a valued service.

Neely Coble Company was built on the premise
that “the customer comes first!” After adding over
60 years of truck experience and the progressive
ideas of today’s technology, there are few dealer-
ships that can offer your business more support!

One man’s dream has become a full service
Freightliner, Isuzu & Sprinter dealership offering
parts, service and an excellent inventory of new & used trucks. Neely Coble Company also provides a highly expe-
rienced sales force and state-of-the-art body shop. We may have grown substantially since 1951, but our objective is
still the same…

Quality you can depend on,
from a name you can trust!

Nashville, TN - (615)244-8900 - (800)367-7712
Madison, AL - (256)350-1630 - (800)433-6351
Bowling Green, KY - (270) 392-3345 - (833) 220-4644

www.neelycoble.com

truckingTENNESSEE Chairman’s Message
NEWS
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Official Magazine of the Tennessee Trucking Association
Tennessee Trucking News is owned by the Tennessee Trucking “Not all heroes wear capes” is a popular phrase these days. And it is very true. Also
Association and is published quarterly by Matthews Publishing true about heroes is that they don’t often brag about their selfless adventures and acts of
kindness toward their fellow humans. 
Group. For additional copies, to order reprints of individual
articles or to become a subscriber to Tennessee Trucking News, Have you heard the stories from the road about the driver that took an extra minute
to help a motorist get out of a jam? How about the driver who took extra trips during
contact Carol Foster at [email protected] the pandemic to keep the groceries on the shelves? Or the dispatcher who worked extra-
long shifts and kept their cool while getting the loads out?  
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake
I know you know. And we want to know about them too. Please share those stories
[email protected] with us so we can feature them in an upcoming issue. We don’t have to have names. If
you think the hero would prefer to remain anonymous, that’s okay, we will honor that.
Executive Editor Dave Huneryager Of course, we would love to brag and shine a spotlight on all the trucking industry
heroes. Send photos if you have them. 
[email protected]
Not all heroes wear capes, but a lot of them have a CDL!  
Creative Director Fran Sherman
[email protected]

Graphic Designer Barbara Negron

Ad Production Doug Benjamin

Photographers Clay Cook
Chris Fain
Contributing Writers Al Ferreira
Daniel Grey
Mandee Johnson
Larry Kuzniewski
Caleb Shane Lollar
John David Pittman
Catherine Stuart

Steve Brawner
Renee Miller

David Monteith
Derek Rayment
Jennifer Barnett Reed

John Schulz
Lacey Thacker

Todd Traub

www.TNTrucking.org Connie Vaughan, TTA Chairman
Tennessee Trucking Association Staff and Government Relations, McKee Foods Corp.
[email protected]
President & CEO
Dave Huneryager Thank A Hero!
[email protected]

Vice President of Safety & Member Services
Donna England

[email protected]

Foundation Coordinator
Catherine Stuart

[email protected]

Administrative Coordinator
Carol Foster

[email protected]

Communications Coordinator
Ashlee Taylor

[email protected]

An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations

Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) has served as the voice for Tennessee’s If you have a story of a
trucking industry since 1930.TTA is a trade association dedicated to the furtherance real life hero experience during this pandemic,
of the trucking industry’s goals and interests in Tennessee and the United States.
Our membership is a diverse group comprised of motor carriers, both public and please send it to our publisher at
private, and companies providing products and services to the industry.TTA serves [email protected].
these companies as a governmental affairs representative before legislative,
regulatory and executive branches of government on issues that affect the trucking We will write it for you.
industry.The organization also provides public relations services, operation services Thank you!
and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.
Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 7
For more information, contact TTA at:
Tennessee Trucking Association

4531 Trousdale Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
Telephone 615-777-2882
Facsimile 615-777-2024
www.TNTrucking.org

TAG LOCATIONS

ARKANASRAKSANSAS

5712 Co5m71m2 CeormcemSerqceuaSrqeuare

TAG TRUCK CENTER AND LONESTAR (J8o0n0e)s2b6o(J84or0on-00e,)s1A2b4R6o84ro-0,71A24R480712401
TRUCK GROUP HAVE MERGED! MISSISSIPPI
MISSIS2S4I4P8PMIcCullough
Now 24 locations in 8 different states to serve you 2B4e4ld8eMn,cB(8MCe0lSd0ue)lln8o3,4u8M4g-8S3h2236682826 ARKANSAS

(800) 84M4IS-3S2O6U2RI 5712 Commerce S

3792 Highway 67 NJoortnhesboro, AR 72

MISSOUPoRpIlar Bluff, MO 63(89001) 264-0148
We have 11 locations for Sales, Parts & Service3792 Hi(g5h73wW)a7ye856h071a9Nv3oert1hM1 IlSoScISaStIPioPIns
(P5o7p3la) r7B8S3(550liuk77e30ffLs)1,ty4o9nM7nu31,OaM7l 1O06036938001(B2184e04ld08e) Mn8,4cM4C-Su3l2lo36u82g8h2
We have 11 locations for Sales, Parts & Service

We have 11 loc3Sa0ikt7eioLsntyonsnJ1ua4,afc7Mokl8s5rOoSnSt,a6Mat3eOl8eH0is6g13h,7wP5aM5ayISr17tS7sOU&RIServ
(573) 47(51737)130309 1890 3792 Highway 67
Poplar Bluff, MO
We have 11 locations for Sales, Par1ts47&85SSF2et8aar8rtm0veiiHnHcgwteiyogn6h,7wMSaOoyu6t1h3(76574703) 785 0193
Jackson(5,7M3)O747630179505 307 Lynual
TENNESS(E5E73) 339 1890 Sikeston, MO 638
KENTUCKY TENNESSEE (573) 471 7100 TE
KENTUCKY

215 Campbell Drive 112 E. L. Morgan Drive 4(M84e05m00)pA2hm6is4e,-(2FrT05i8ca3N7a38rn3m603)W8iHn17a1g4wyC2(82t71ayo75l0nv06e)C,17r9aMt90mCS06Oip-ot0ybu,3e6t4Klhl35YD6r44iv20e1J(05a427c793k8)s5o3Sn3t,9aMt1eO8H90i6g1(J3h8a17w0
Calvert City, KY 42029 Jackson, TN 38305
(270) 906-0345 (800) 423-2599

KENTUCKY TENNESSEE KTENETNUNCEKYSSEE TENNESSEE 2880 Hwy 67TSEoNuNt
215 Campbell Drive 112 E. L. Morgan Drive
Calvert City, KY 42029 JacksKoEnN, TTUNCK3Y8305 215 Campbell Drive 112 E. L. TMNorg3a8n30D5r(Fi5va7er3m)in7g4t7on0,1M94M04Oe5m06
(270) 906-0345 Jackson, (800)
C4al4ve5r0t CAitmy, eKYric4a2n02W9 ay (T8E0N0)N4E2S3S-2E5E99
(2M7T0Ee)Nm9N0p6Eh-S0is3S4,E5TEN 38118
(181020E).2L6. 4M-o0rg3a3n6Drive
www.TAGTruckCenter.com www.T(800)241253C-2am59pb9ell Drive
4450 American Way
Memphis, TN 38118
Calvert City, KY 42029 Jackson, TN 38305 (800) 264-0336
(270) 906-0345 (800) 423-2599

www.TAGTruckCente

www.TAGTruckCwewnwt.TeArG.cTorumckCenter.com

From The President

Tennessee Trucking Association Paving The Way for the Next 90 Years-Will You
Executive Committee Join the Effort?

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD When you have visited the Tennessee Trucking Association headquarters, I hope
you have noticed the 43 company or individuals’ names on pavers at the entrance to
CONNIE VAUGHAN our building. The people and companies inscribed on these pavers contributed to the
McKee Foods Transportation, LLC retirement of our building’s mortgage debt when we initiated this practice in 1996. As
we celebrate our 90th year as an Association, I am inviting you to join me in PAVING
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THE WAY FOR THE NEXT 90 YEARS!

President & CEO General Counsel There are 250 blank pavers at our entrance that could be dedicated to any one or
DAVE HUNERYAGER C. DALE ALLEN more of the following; a TTA member carrier or allied company, a loved one, either
Tennessee Trucking Adams and Reese LLP present or past, an employee, either past or present, a Road Team Captain, either past
or present, a TTA Award winner, a Safety Professional of the Year, a Maintenance
Association Secretary Professional of the Year, an Allied Professional of the Year, a Technician Skills Grand
Foundation at Large JIM MOSBY Champion, a Truck Driving Championship Grand Champion a Tennessee Driver of
the Year, a Fleet Safety Award Grand Champion, a Pinnacle Award recipient, just to
SCOTT GEORGE FirstBank name some of the possibilities.
TCW, Inc. Treasurer
SCOTT SCHUMPERT At our most recent Foundation Board meeting and TTA Executive Committee
TruckPAC Co-Chairman Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPSs meeting, commitments were received for the first 47 pavers from the members of
DAVE MANNING East Tenn. Vice Chairman those committees! That leaves 203 still available for you!
TCW, Inc. JEFF REED
Skyline Transportation The cost to have a name or memory inscribed on a paver is $500. We have a
TruckPAC Co-Chairman Middle Tennesse number of payment options to make your commitment work out best for you. One
TERRY MINOR Vice Chairman payment of $500, two payments of $250, or, four payments of $125, made payable
MIKE MCFARLIN to the Tennessee Trucking Foundation. Since the Foundation is a 501 c 3 entity, all
Cumberland International M & W Transportation Co., Inc. contributions are tax deductible.
Trucks, Inc. West Tennesse
Vice Chairman As an added option to consider, the CARES Act has raised the amount of the
TTF President JASON HIGGINBOTHAM annual charitable deduction of taxable income from 10-25 percent in 2020.
TOMMY HODGES Ozark Motor Lines, Inc.
Titan Transfer, Inc. Non-Domiciled Vice Chairman We are also working to find an underwriter of the cost to inscribe the a paver so all
Allied Vice Chairman & ATA State Vice President proceeds collected would go to this effort.
NICK D’ANDREA
TROY DICKENS Please reach out to anyone at the TTA office to get a form to get your purchase of a
Rush Truck Center, Nashville UPS paver started. Thank you for your consideration!
Immediate Past Chairman
Thanks again,
WAYLAND THOMPSON
FleetFirst, Inc. Dave Huneryager
President, Tennessee Trucking Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS [email protected]

DIRECTORS AT LARGE JIM BRIGGS
Advanced Ergonomics, Inc.
BRAD ALLEN
Venture Express CORY LILE
Occusure Workers’ Compensation
BETH FRANKLIN
Multi-Task Solutions EDDIE WAYLAND
King & Ballow
STEVE FRANKLIN
Multi-Task Solutions BILL TIRRILL
Fleetco, Inc.
JERRY HAMPTON
Pinnacle Bank SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE

JOE SHARP MAX FULLER
Western Express U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

SHEILA SHOUN LISA PATE
Shoun Trucking Co. U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

WAYLAND THOMPSON TOMMY THAXTON
FirstFleet, Inc. Best One Tire & Service

ROB RHEA DAREL DYER
FedEx Freight Premier Truck Group of Chattanooga

WAYNE WEAVER JEFF TANNER
Rapid Ways Leasing Kenco Management Services

BOB WEST WEST TENNESSEE
R.E. West, Inc.
MARK GEORGE
BILLY WHITE Intermodal Cartage Co., Inc.
Clarke Power Services
JOHN ROSS
EAST TENNESSEE Milan Supply Chain Solutions

RUBY MCBRIDE TIM GATLIN
Colonial Freight Systems Empire Express, Inc.

BILL REED, III CATHY PHILLIPS COATS
Skyline Logistics, Inc. H.B. Phillips, Inc.

JEFF ALLEN JEFF REEVES
Great West Casualty Company Reeves Brothers Trucking, Inc.

CRAIG KENDALL JEFF EARLE
The Peterbilt Store,-Knoxville Thompson Power Corp.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE TOMMY EARL
TAG Truck Center
WILLIAM KEITH
FirstExpress, Inc. DICK SWEEBE
Summit Truck Group, Memphis
PAT MARSH
Big G Express, Inc. NON-DOMICILED REGIONAL

BRAD RAHRER MIKE KELLEY
Portland Express, inc. YRC Worldwide, Inc.

ALLIE SHARP SCHWALB HAL DOWLAND
Sharp Transport, Inc. HELP, Inc., Provider of PrePass

JOHN WALTON GREG SHIPMAN
Averitt Express, Inc. Vertical Alliance Group

BILL BOB WEST SAM FAUCETTE
R.E. West, Inc. Old Dominion, Inc.

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 9



How Has Pandemic
Affected Fleets?
Depends...

Joint ATRI-OOIDA Impact of Covid
on Trucking Industry Study Results

BY STEVE BRAWNER / CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Trucking operators saw shorter hauls but faced fewer traffic or “much higher.” More than 28 percent of dry van trailer
congestion delays during the early days of the COVID-19 operators saw higher volumes, as did 21.4 percent of operators
lockdown, and their businesses were affected differently based of longer combination trailers. Meanwhile, 38.3 percent of five-
on the commodities they hauled, according axle flatbed operators and 33.5 percent of tanker/hazmat trailer
to a survey answered by drivers and fleet executives from operators saw “much lower” volumes.
March 25 to April 8.
As for consumer goods demand, about 45 percent of
The survey was conducted jointly by the American respondents said it was higher while 16 percent said it was
Transportation Research Institute and the Owner-Operator “much lower.” Those latter carriers likely were hauling non-
Independent Drivers Association Foundation. essential items that are not available in some stores. Forty-one
percent of five-axle refrigerated truck operators said consumer
The survey generated 5,073 responses after being emailed to goods demand was “much higher,” while 31 percent of straight
78,600 OOIDA members and by ATRI to more than 11,000 truck operators said demand was “much lower.” That last result
industry stakeholders. More than 77 percent of respondents could have been due to the fact that straight trucks are often
were truck drivers, 81.4 percent of them with 11 or more years operated by service companies that were shut down by
of driving experience. More than 13 percent of respondents the pandemic.
were fleet executives, operations, safety and other personnel.
Rebecca Brewster, ATRI president and chief operating
The survey found that the lockdown affected trucking officer, said the survey quantified “what we had been hearing
fleets in different ways. Fleet types that typically haul high- anecdotally, and that is that the impacts on the industry are
demand essential consumer goods and medical supplies saw very disparate. If you are already servicing the grocery and
better freight volumes than those typically hauling oil and food [sectors] and essential items like that, you had this big
gasoline. Almost half of respondents described freight levels boom, particularly at the beginning. If you were a tank fleet
as “somewhat lower” or “much lower” than they were before that hauls fuel, you felt the pain almost immediately because
the pandemic, while 28 percent said they were about the same. we all parked our cars and didn’t need to gas up.”
About 22 percent said their levels were either “somewhat
higher” or “much higher.” Nearly 25 percent of truckload fleets ATRI is studying GPS data from more than a million
saw higher levels. Among specialized fleets, 68.3 percent saw commercial vehicles in all 50 states to create a “truck activity
lower freight levels. index.” It is comparing current driving activity to Feb. 9, before
the shutdown occurred. Brewster said there was an initial
Carriers also were affected differently based on their tractor-
trailer configurations. Forty percent of five-axle refrigerated CONTINUED PAGE 15 
trailer operators said their volumes were “somewhat higher”

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 11

increase, particularly among carriers
supplying grocery stores and hospitals,
followed by a decrease, including
among those carriers. At the time of this
interview on May 15, activity was slowly
increasing in some states being studied,
which led her to be optimistic about the
second half of the year.

Fleet size was one factor that
determined how the pandemic was
affecting companies. Thirty-nine percent
of respondents from fleets with fewer
than five power units saw “much lower”
freight levels, compared to about 12
percent of those with more than 1,000
units. Owner-operators and small fleets
also were disproportionately affected by
a 38 percent decline in the spot market
from March to April as listed by DAT’s
spot market load postings.

Survey respondents said long-haul
trips had significantly decreased while
local hauls increased as a percentage
of total hauls. Respondents said 7.8
percent of their hauls were less than
100 miles per trip before the pandemic
and 18.2 percent during it. Meanwhile,
long-haul trips fell from 32.7 percent
of trips before the pandemic to 22.7
percent. The report attributed that
result to a reduction in transportation
of international containers and an
increase in moving essential goods from
warehouses to retail stores.

Not surprisingly given the nationwide
economic shutdown, 87 percent of
respondents said traffic delays were
either much shorter or somewhat
shorter, with almost 50 percent of
all respondents choosing the “much
shorter” option. Those survey results
matched ATRI’s own GPS data, which
found truck travel speeds in four major
trucking bottlenecks were as much as
25 miles per hour faster in March 2020
than in March 2018 and March 2019.

Brewster said the findings pointed to
the benefits of improving the nation’s
highway system.

CONTINUED 

12 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

YOUR

SOURCE

FOR ALL

TIRES

STMTIRES.COM • 24/7 CALL CENTER: 877-STM-TIRE

North America's #1 Tire Dealer with 135 locations
across 15 states. From America's quality brands to
comprehensive maintenance programs and 24/7 roadside
assistance, we deliver the very best in tires and services.

Sometimes People
Must Come Together
for a Mission

THANK YOU

Since 1954, the American Transportation Research Institute and its
predecessor have been the trucking industry’s source for scientific data and
analysis on the many high priority issues facing freight transportation today.
The people and companies listed here are our core contributors, annual
donors who have come together in this mission to help the industry as a
whole. If you or your company has not contributed in the past, now is the
time to step up and do your part.
Step up and leave your footprint for the good of the industry.
Visit www.atri-online.org to explore your giving opportunities.

Photo: NASA

“I think in terms of moving forward,
that is a great lesson for what can happen
if we really invest in infrastructure,”
she said. “We’re not going to have a
pandemic to keep everybody off the
road forever, but when the infrastructure
allows the trucking industry to do what
it needs to do, we all benefit.”

The shorter drives and fewer
congestion delays were accompanied by
an increase in truck parking difficulties.
While 42 percent reported parking
issues were “about the same,” 44 percent
said it was “somewhat harder” or “much
harder” to find places to park. Local
drivers were the most likely to say
parking availability was about the same,
with 67 percent expressing that opinion.
In contrast, 46 percent of inter-regional
drivers (500-999 trip miles) and 50
percent of long-haul drivers (1,000-plus
miles) said parking had become harder
to find.

Brewster said closed rest areas
contributed to the worsening parking
situation. One state closed its restrooms
but erected less sanitary portable toilets,
despite the need for cleanliness during
the pandemic.

“That’s one of those lessons learned, I
think both on the private sector and on
the public sector side going forward, that
you have to keep those facilities open,”
she said.

Along with the hassles of truck
parking, 34 percent of respondents
said their loading and unloading times
increased, while only 12 percent noted a
decrease. More than half said they were
about the same.

Respondents generally gave
positive grades to the federal and
state governments’ responses to
the pandemic, with the federal
government more likely to be given a
grade of “excellent” (22 percent vs. 13
percent), while 34 percent rated both
levels of government as “good.” State
governments were more likely to be

CONTINUED 

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 15

Around the State for 90 Years

Please join us for
TTA’s 90th Annual Convention

September 20-22, 2020 • Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Report & Spa • Destin, Florida

Terrific Presenters • EXPO • Awards • Golf • Socially-distanced networking
TTA Foundation Silent Auction—New this year:

Place bids online or from your smart phone using our new app!
Invited Presenters:

Senator Paul Bailey, Chair, Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Representative Pat Marsh, Chair, Utilities Subcommittee

Chris Spear, President & CEO, American Trucking Associations
Randy Guillot, Chairman, American Trucking Associations
Rebecca Brewster, President & COO, ATRI

We are looking
forward to seeing
everyone at the
TTA Convention at the
Hilton Sandestin Beach
Golf Resort & Spa

in September!

Expo Exhibitors (as of June 29)
Corporate Medical Services • PrePass Safety Alliance • Havco Wood Products • Vertical Alliance Group

Kile Truck Refrigeration • Lowen Color Graphics • ATRI
To register and learn how to become a sponsor and/or exhibitor: visit https://tntrucking.org/2020-convention/

Hotel room block deadline: August 19

judged “adequate” (39 percent vs. 29 half said consumer demand would future,” she said. “So, do you have plans
percent). Smaller numbers judged the be much worse or somewhat worse. for how you’re going to keep your drivers
governmental response at either level About a third said consumer demand safe? Do you have plans for how you’re
as “bad” or “terrible.” Each response would improve. More than 35 percent going to deal with your customers in a
scored in the single digits. Brewster said the affects of COVID-19 would be way that mitigates the risk to people on
said the less positive rating of state temporary, while 18 percent said they both ends?”
governments could have been the result would be permanent.
of rest areas and departments of motor The survey didn’t ask about the driver
vehicles being closed. Forty-five percent of respondents said shortage, but Brewster said truck driving
their company did not have a disaster could become a more attractive option
Given the chance to identify future response plan prior to the pandemic, for job-seekers because the industry is
strategies government agencies should while less than 25 percent said theirs did so essential.
consider, about 30 percent said hours not. The rest were not sure. But there was
of service regulations should be a vast difference regarding preparedness “If there’s one sort of silver lining
relaxed or eliminated at the federal based on fleet size. Among fleets with to come out of this, it’s all of the
level, while 15 percent identified that more than 1,000 trucks, 70 percent said positive attention that’s been put on
policy change being needed at the state their fleet had a disaster plan, while the trucking industry and the truck
level. Nearly 20 percent of respondents almost 80 percent of fleets with fewer drivers specifically, and how they really
said expanding truck parking and than five units had no plan. are front-line heroes who are serving
ensuring safe parking should be the America,” she said. “And I believe – I
top priority of states. Brewster noted that “none of us were hope, but I also believe – that is going
prepared for the scope” of the pandemic, to resonate with people as they start to
Asked to look into the future, about but large fleets clearly were better move forward to becoming re-employed.
41 percent said they expected freight prepared than small ones.
volumes to remain the same over the “And so, I’m hopeful that will play
next two months, while 15 percent said “Going forward, particularly for the out well for the trucking industry
they would be “much worse” and 30 state trucking associations, I think that’s in terms of drivers, in terms of
percent said they would be “somewhat going to be a great service that they can technicians, and in terms of all the
worse.” About 41 percent said they provide for their mid-sized and smaller support personnel that goes into the
would be “about the same.” Almost fleet members – to help them better industry. Because clearly the pandemic
prepare for something like this in the did not shut us down.” TTN

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 17

Truckers Are
Essential

Stepping up during a crisis: heroics of the trucking industry

BY DAVID MONTEITH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY: INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES

#ThankATrucker

Our nation’s recognition of, and put limits on restaurants. Most commercial everyone was scrambling in the early days.
appreciation for truckers has increased as a airlines were grounded, public transit vehicles
result of the coronavirus pandemic. Some became empty shells, and cars stayed parked INITIAL SHOCK
knew the value of truckers as a vital link in the in suburban driveways for days at a time.
supply chain well before COVID-19 arrived While all this was happening, many in the Holly Czuba, marketing director for
in our cities. In government preparedness trucking industry showed up in their offices Cumberland Companies, says employees
plans written long before “social distancing” or the cabs of their trucks to deliver groceries, at all levels and locations of the Tennessee-
became a household term, the trucking medical supplies, and other items deemed based truck dealership were involved in the
industry was identified as one of the essential necessary to keep the country functioning. decision-making.
business that needed to carry on while others
would be asked to temporarily halt operations. Very few people, businesses, or agencies “As this all started, we were all scratching
Despite having contingency plans to refer to, were prepared for the novel coronavirus our heads, management and employees
the responses from the federal and state levels which causes the infectious disease labeled alike. ‘How do we deal with this?’ For lack
were often conflicting and confusing in the COVID-19. According to the recent report of a better term we crowdsourced this from
early stages of the pandemic. In the midst of “COVID-19 Impacts on the Trucking everybody. One of the parts employees came
this confusion, some in the industry found Industry” prepared by the American up with an idea for how to slightly modify our
ways to help trucks keep on rolling. Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) and parts deliveries so that we’re reaching out to
the Owner Operator Independent Drivers customers ahead of time asking them for their
The first case of COVID-19 was announced Association (OOIDA) in April, nearly half protocols on how they want to receive their
in Tennessee on Mar. 5. Six days later the of those who responded to the survey said parts,” Czuba said. This allowed Cumberland
World Health Organization (WHO) formally neither they nor their organization had a to adapt quickly if a customer wanted no
declared the disease to be a pandemic. In the disaster response plan in place prior to the physical contact with a delivery driver.
middle of March, Governor Bill Lee declared pandemic. Larger fleets were much more
a state of emergency and a few days later likely to have a plan in place than smaller Dan Whittle is the branch manager
Nashville Mayor John Cooper closed bars and fleets or owner-operators. Regardless, most for the Cumberland International Truck
dealerships in Nashville and Lebanon.
He said, “I’m looking at [the employees]
saying ‘Let’s bring some ideas to the table.’

18 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

President Trump acknowledges importance of drivers in today’s economy especially
during COVID by recognizing Big G Express driver and America’s Road Team Captain
Stephen Richardson.

The ideas that came up I would not have “In the war against the oz) mini-sanitizers to senior citizens and
thought of myself. Listening to people on virus, American truckers immune-compromised individuals. 
the front line, people doing it every day.
They’re bringing the ideas. Our job is to are the foot soldiers Cumberland sells, leases, and services
implement it and make it happen.” who are really carrying trucks. They deal with owner operators,
us to victory. And they private fleets, and public-use vehicles like
Czuba and Whittle describe other buses and ambulances. As such, they were
employee-generated strategies that helped the are. They’ve done an better equipped than many to handle the
company create a showroom and sales area incredible job.” sudden changes brought on by the pandemic.
that allowed for customers to get individual Leasing trucks for large events, like concerts
attention while still following social distance —­U.S. President or sporting events, represented a significant
protocols recommended by the Centers for Donald J. Trump portion of their business and it evaporated
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). overnight. Cumberland’s diversity of services
Cumberland’s primary goal was safety for Sanford Markham is a foreman at has helped offset those losses.
the customers and for each other. Little was the Nashville branch of Cumberland
known about COVID-19 at the time, but it International Trucks. He is also the owner Not all in the trucking industry could
was suspected to be highly contagious and of Gutter Bound Distillery in Hurricane count on being so fortunate. Depending on
potentially fatal. The staff knew that if one Hills, Tenn. Markham found ways to serve their typical loads and routes, business was
employee contracted it and came to work, that his community in both roles. He converted either booming or busting. This was true
could potentially shut down an entire branch. his distillery into hand sanitizer production in the nation and true in Tennessee. Amie
in response to the demands of COVID-19. Carter handles logistics for JD Metals, a metal
Whittle said, “The biggest thing that I’m Gutter Bound makes hand sanitizer in a roofing manufacturer and supplier based in
proud of as a manager is that most everybody variety of sizes for individuals, families and Limestone, Tenn. The company has a fleet of
wanted to be here to work because they know businesses, including providing free (2.5 18 trucks which makes deliveries in South
what it is that we’re doing. We’re helping keep
trucks running.” CONTINUED 

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 19

Carolina, North Carolina, as well as parts of order to keep their truckers on the road. The “We’ve had some [office employees] who
increase in business meant an unprecedented had elderly parents or grandparents or people
Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia. Being such number of customers coming through their they were taking care of that [the coronavirus]
showroom, and an increase in paperwork for was a concern,” Carter says. “We’ve been
a specialized business was cause for concern processing orders. cognizant of that. Because of that we changed
who handled all the paperwork coming back
in the earliest stages of the pandemic. The CDC and the WHO were certain from the drivers.”
COVID-19 was transmitted through droplets
Carter said, “Our first thought was, ‘Are we in the air, the type of miniscule and unseen The disruptions caused by COVID-19 have
droplets that spray out when someone extended beyond disinfecting paperwork
going to be deemed essential? Are we going coughs or sneezes. These same droplets can and taking everyone’s temperature as they
also be spread when someone coughs into enter the office. Carter said routing trucks
to be able to provide our employees with a their hand and then shakes someone else’s. became more complicated as business hours
For that reason, handshakes became a thing shifted. In a number of cases, customers and
paycheck every week?’…We really just didn’t of the past, and 6 feet of space between suppliers opened later or closed earlier as they
people became the new norm. What was less made their own adjustments for coronavirus
know what to expect. We were in limbo.” certain was the length of time the virus could precautions. Many truckers, especially in the
That limbo didn’t last long. By late March survive on materials. Early lab tests indicated early stages, had difficulty finding places to
anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The eat or sleep along their regular routes as hotels
business was booming. Carter said it’s been duration depended on variables like the type and restaurants reduced hours and closed
steady ever since. of material, or the level of humidity. It was their doors. And while traffic was lighter, wait
impossible to predict the length of time the times were not.
“We don’t know if it’s because suddenly virus could survive on paper accurately. Most
people were scared, ‘I can’t get this.’ We people, including those working at JD Metals, Researchers at ATRI analyzed GPS data
don’t know if it was people being at home prioritized caution and safety. from March 2020. They found that “for
and having the time [to work on projects].
Or was it the stimulus check. It could be
any of the three.”

The increase in business showed the

employees how the everyday act of going to

work becomes heroic during a pandemic.

Like Cumberland, JD Metals suddenly found

themselves with new obstacles to overcome in

with Nacarato Truck Centers as your business partner,
you’ve got all the support you need.

For 43 years, Nacarato has been serving Nashville and surrounding areas as a Nacarato Truck Centers
full line Volvo truck dealer. We offer comprehensive customer support through
our dedicated parts, service and body shop operations. We stock quality 519 New Paul Road
pre-owned trucks, many backed by Volvo’s exclusive generation2 program, LaVergne, TN 37086
for all applications, giving customers the best selection in the Southeast. 615-280-2800
No one beats Nacarato Truck Centers in any area of truck dealership support. www.nacaratovolvo.com

20 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

major freight hot spots…average truck willingly continue to serve.” in supply due to demand. A representative of
travel speeds were as much as 25 miles per Southern Tire Mart (STM) is another TTA STM said the company “knew that keeping
hour higher during the pandemic-related the big rigs on the road was absolutely critical
commuter shutdowns.” However, the member that understood that Americans for Americans and for the economy. We are
COVID-19 report also showed “34 percent would adapt to the restriction resulting from proud of the truck drivers who have been the
of respondents indicated that their loading/ COVID-19 precautions. As Americans
unloading times had increased.” adjusted, some goods would become more CONTINUED 
essential than others and sometimes limited
Drivers at Southern Champion Tray
(SCT), experienced those delays firsthand.
SCT is a paperboard packaging company
based in Chattanooga. Among other things,
they produce the types of cartons often
used for food delivery. As many restaurants
across the country shifted to delivery
or pickup only, there was no doubt the
company would be deemed essential.

Matt Holmes, trucking manager at SCT,
said, “Our drivers have run routes that
we wouldn’t see during ordinary times,
often laying over for substantial periods
of time due to constricted delivery hours
at receivers. All our drivers recognize the
critical role they play during this time and

Protect Your DCROMIVEPARNSY. .
Protect Your

"For more than ten years, Drivers Legal Plan has
been a valuable, reliable and trusted TTA endorsed
partner. They do an outstanding job helping TTA's
most successful members--drivers and carriers
alike--by protecting their MVRs and CSAs. Why
don't you?"

—Dave Huneryager
President & CEO, Tennessee Trucking Association

Drivers Legal Plan delivers bottom line
benefits at no cost to your company.

800-417-3552

www.driverslegalplan.com

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 21

formidable backbone of America during this at-home or shelter-in-place orders. Empty tag photos of themselves with their rigs to
historic time and we stand ready to get the shelves refilled. The willingness and service of increase the visibility of the industry, and each
economy and our fleets rolling to full capacity.” truckers began to get recognition. This picture enters them into a drawing for gift
was due in part to the American Trucking cards to help them pay for food on the road.
After the initial shock of COVID-19 wore Associations’ #ThankATrucker social media At least two Tennessee drivers, Tim Chelette
off, much of the country began adjusting to campaign as well as other lobbying efforts. and Stephen Richardson, both with Big G
a more confined lifestyle as a result of safer- Express have won.
The campaign serves the dual purposes of
recognition and support. Truckers post and Tom Hodges, president of Goggin Cold
Haul Services, LLC in Smyrna, Tenn. said his
fleet of 1,100 truckers welcomed the support.

“A little recognition for them is certainly
nice, and wanted, and needed. And very
much appreciated right now during a difficult
time,” Hodges told a Nashville reporter. “They
feel that love. The truck driving community is
very active on social media.”

Federal and state support came in the
form of changes to regulations. In late March,
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) issued an emergency declaration
that eased hours of service (HOS) rules,
clarified which goods were deemed essential,

YOUR DISTRIBUTOR FOR 8015 Piedmont Triad Parkway
ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, Greensboro, NC 27409
(336) 292-9240
PARTS, SERVICE 1815 Starita Road
AND TOTAL TRUCK REPAIR Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 596-8000
engines 103 Austin Bradley Lane
New Bern, NC 28562
Please visit our website for details on additional branch locations in other states. (252) 638-3161
6725 Netherlands Drive
WWW.CLARKEPOWERSERVICES.COM Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 392-7220
22 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020 1429 Ault Road
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 689-3722

I-181 & Rock Springs Road
Kingsport, TN 37633
(423) 349-6141
115 Haywood Lane
Antioch, TN 37013
(Nashville)
(615) 262-4141
124 Gateway Drive
Ringgold, GA 30736
(Chattanooga)
(706) 965-7000
3070 Sandbrook Road
Memphis TN 38116
(800) 897-8901

and allowed waivers for expiring, or recently to help keep drivers fed and ready. They Companies is a family company, and drivers
expired commercial driver’s licenses. States personally passed out 150 boxed lunches every are part of that family. We want them to know
responded to trucking industry needs by Tuesday and Thursday to all drivers entering how important they are.”
allowing rest stops to remain open to some the Memphis terminal’s interchange lanes.
degree, while most other restaurants were Mark George added, “Our goal is to
ordered closed. “Drivers are essential people who cannot encourage drivers. In a global pandemic, they
work from home,” said Melinda George.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. “This is our way of giving back to them. IMC CONTINUED 
Chao said, “America’s truckers are doing a
heroic job keeping our supply chains open
during this unprecedented time and these
rules will provide them greater flexibility to
keep America moving.”

As the pandemic spread into rural counties
that might have thought themselves immune,
taking a break with a sit-down meal became
nearly impossible everywhere. And truck
parking was still hard to find in some places,
but friends and strangers became more willing
to help truckers navigate drive-thru food
options or take-out.

IMC Company chairman Mark George, his
wife Melinda, and IMCG president Joel Henry
launched a “Sandwiches for Semis” initiative

DALE ALLEN TONY SWAFFORD ROCKY KING
Partner Partner Partner
Nashville Nashville Nashville

Global Trade, Transportation and Logistics

HOLLY McDANIEL ROB BREUNIG CLAYTON BYRD
Government Affairs Partner Special Counsel
Advisor (non-lawyer) Nashville Nashville
Nashville

Our Adams and Reese Team advises clients on issues relating to the CANNON ALLEN BEN FOX JEFF BROOKS
entire supply chain and all modes of transportation: highway, water, air, Partner Partner Partner
rail, and pipeline. We understand the particular demands and complexities Memphis Memphis Washington, DC
of the industry, and therefore, maintain real-time knowledge of statutory,
regulatory, and legal decisions that impact your business. Through our www.adamsandreese.com
governmental relations team and our membership and leadership in
several transportation industry organizations, we stay up-to-date on ALABAMA | FLORIDA | GEORGIA | LOUISIANA | MISSISSIPPI
relevant legal developments on a regional, national and international level. SOUTH CAROLINA | TENNESSEE | TEXAS | WASHINGTON, DC

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 23

Coverages: Truck Insurance...It’s What We Do are our nation’s heroes.”
Physical Damage The boxed lunches they distributed
Not everyone can drive a truck. It takes skill, experience, and
Auto Liability commitment. The same is true for providing truck insurance. were purchased from local, family-owned
Cargo businesses, which helped keep others
Serving truckers for over eighty years, the staff at Joe Morten & Son, employed during the start of recession caused
General Liability Inc. has the expertise to provide not just insurance, but solutions. We by COVID-19.
Umbrella get to know our customers’ unique challenges and work with them to
meet their needs. We have seven office locations and serve over 40 By mid-April, recognition for truckers
Workers Compensation states. Put us to the test and contact us today! and the trucking industry extended all the
way to the White House. America’s Road
Occupational Accident Corporate Office Regional Office Team Captain Stephen Richardson, a 19-year
And many more 1309 West 29th Street 10100 Global Way, Suite 200 driver for Big G Express, Inc., was honored
South Sioux City, NE 68776 by President Donald Trump alongside other
Knoxville, TN 37932 commercial truck drivers. Richardson, an
402.494.4251 865.392.3800 army veteran who has logged more than
two million accident-free miles with Big
G Express, said receiving the award from
President Trump was “the experience of a
lifetime…Just being on the White House lawn
and seeing the trucks….and getting the honor
and respect that I think the 3.5 million truck
drivers deserve, it was just heartwarming. It’s
not personally me, it’s all of us out there doing
our jobs,” Richardson said.  “The mechanics,
the technicians, and the people who keep us
running, they need to also be recognized.”

During his remarks at the event, President
Trump thanked truck drivers on behalf of the
country saying, “In the war against the virus,
American truckers are the foot soldiers who
are really carrying us to victory. And they are.
They’ve done an incredible job.”

Around the time Richardson was being
recognized in the nation’s capital, things
appeared to be going well in Tennessee as far
as the coronavirus was concerned. Whether it
was a lack of testing, or the result of aggressive
social distancing, daily numbers of those
contracting the virus leveled off in the middle
of April. It looked as though the curve had
been flattened. Trucks whose loads had been
deemed essential, like Goggin Cold Haul, had
been rolling non-stop for a little over a month.

While the number of COVID-19 cases
in the state was holding steady in the first
half of April, the unemployment numbers
were rising in Tennessee and across the
nation. Some truckers were driving longer
hours and being forced to sit in their cabs
while waiting to drop off goods, but others
were filing unemployment.

24 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

The joint ATRI/OOIDA research survey CONTINUED 
received 5,100 replies from within the
industry. According to the report, “nearly During the unprecedented time our country has faced, the
50 percent of respondents described freight trucking industry has stepped up and answered the call. Store
levels as ‘somewhat lower’ to ‘much lower’ shelves have been restocked daily, warehouses remain full of
than pre-pandemic levels. Surprisingly, 28 essential goods, and consumers continue to receive their package
percent described freight levels as about the because of the tireless efforts of truckers.
same – hinting that more than one in four In an effort to show our appreciation for truckers around the
operations were generally unaffected by the country, the Alabama Trucking Association and the ATA Comp
pandemic. Approximately 22 percent of Fund have partnered to show our gratitude for the hardworking
respondents described operations as being people that make up our industry.
‘somewhat higher’ to ‘much higher’ than It is our goal to continue to recognize the efforts of not just our
normal. These trucks are likely the trucks Members, but of each and every employee within our industry.
moving the essential consumer goods as well We hope that everyone remembers to #ThankATrucker for
as medical supplies.” helping to keep America moving.

It was feast or famine, and the report www.AlabamaTrucking.org www.ATACompFund.org
indicated the famine hit owner-operators
and small operations the hardest. “…in terms
of freight volumes, smaller fleets are more
negatively impacted than larger fleets. From
a revenue standpoint, owner-operators and
small fleets also rely more heavily on the
spot market, which declined 38 percent from
March to April 2020, according to DAT’s spot
market load postings.”

Jerry Fritts is a 74-year old owner-operator
based out of Cordova, Tenn. Fritts runs
strictly broker loads and works with 51
different brokerages. Despite having 40 years
of experience finding loads and hauling all
types of freight all over the country, Fritts says
work became scarce in early April.

“I don’t think a load ever got [posted on the
DAT board] over two minutes. By the time
the load would be posted, and it’s one I would
be interested, which is almost everything …I
could not dial fast enough to even break in to
get a bid in.”

According to Fritts, most owner-operators
assume it costs $1.05 – $1.10 per mile to
operate once all costs are factored in. Some
load rates had dropped as low as $0.80 per
mile heading into Knoxville in April, so near
the end of that month he decided to park his
truck and wait out the pandemic. He counts
himself lucky to have other sources of income.
Fritts said he hopes the industry continues
to find new ways of keeping drivers healthy,

CONTINUED 

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 25

THE TTA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE
THANK A TRUCKER T-SHIRT CAMPAIGN

Truckers are so essential to everyone and truly are
everyday heroes! Here’s a way to show appreciation and

support TTA in the process.

Check out all of the sizes and colors available by visiting
either www.bonfire.com/im-a-trucker-campaign OR
www.bonfire.com/thank-a-trucker-campaign

I’m A Trucker Thank A Trucker

TtcKhhoeeinseTtIpie’nminnungAeeTtTsoersuendcenokeTeosrrsuueCcrekapimonagnrpt atAihnisgeSsnoMawcfeoiiallvylteiho!enlp KchTeoehenlipsptinTitnhuhgeeaTnTteeoknnAdnnoeTesrsosuseuceerkeepTrorauCnrctaktihnmineSgpaMaAfieogsslvnyoecw!iailtlion

26 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

like making health clinics more accessible for Sunday morning, June 7, at
drivers feeling ill. Listening to him describe a truck stop outside Holladay,
his fellow drivers, it’s easy to be reminded of a Tennessee, Big G Express driver
poem by D.H. Lawrence. Bobby Bourne was preparing his
truck for another day of driving
Self-Pity when the squeal of a reefer cut
by D.H. Lawrence through the air. Bourne turned
I never saw a wild thing to see flames spewing from a
truck parked behind him. He
sorry for itself. and another driver raced over
A small bird will drop frozen dead and found the driver asleep in
the cab. As Bourne beat on the
from a bough door, the other good Samaritan
without ever having felt sorry for itself. tried dousing the fire with an
extinguisher. The chemical foam
Drivers are the wild things. “A driver had little effect as the flames
will drive himself to death to get the load spread to the tractor tires, but
delivered,” Fritts said. Bourne was able to rouse the
driver, an owner-operator from
RE-OPENING AND REWARDS Virginia, and get him safely out
Keeping drivers healthy continues to be the of the cab.

goal as the coronavirus continues to spread.
By late May, parts of the country began
reopening despite surges in the number of
COVID-19 cases. The Tennessee Trucking

CONTINUED 

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 27

yAosusoacliladtiroivne(TtoTgAe)tptharetrnee.”reItd’swthitehjAobAoAf’s twhheipchosmitainoyn.people can contract the disease transportation industry is there is no one
tThhealnekadAerDtroivreermCoavmepraoiagdnbalnodckhsealpneddlet fro“mSoomnelypoenoepinlefeocutetdthperseotnh.iTnhkerteheisiralso size fits all, so we can individualize per
pheaonpdleoufot lglowodtyhbeairgsowtonthpeatrhutcoketrhsetghoatal. pagorseietimonenstdfreosmervtheerCesDpCecatnadntdheI WtryHtOo tehlalt fleet. So, depending on who you are as a
puAllcecdoirndtointghetoLSeibgamnoonn, TatenCna.rPgiolot truck tthe paenodpelme wichisofawrofrrokmheorve,r.wMhaonywsotartkes, fleet, you can find your niche,” he says. It’s
Tstroapn.sTphoertgeoros,dDy eblalignsgceornhtaaisnpedutaibt othttilse of uinncdluedrimngyTdenirneecstsieoen, ,htahvaetseyeonuar speocsointidosnpike not about forcing fleets into new ways of
whanydmsoanreititzhearnanodncaef:r“eIeddorinn’tkwcoanupt oton to dinotehsen’ntuemarbneryofuctahsees.respect, and you doing things, but instead helping fleets
haenayrPaiblootulot cthateiolanb. or pains, just show me doTn’htedAesTeRrvI/eOreOsIpDecAt sjusrtvbeyechaaussseoomfethe find which new technologies best suit
theDboanbnya.”England, TTA’s vice president of tsiutlgegyeostuiohnasvoe.nThhoewrefewdiellrableasnodmsteapteeople their needs.”
saWfetaytacnhdinmge, mlisbternsienrgv,icperso, vsaididi,n“gItais so wgohvoeranremreunltesfcoolluolwd erreswwarhdothweilhl egrioveicysoouf
vimisipoonrtoanrte,nesdpegcoialll—y ntohwes, ethaartewterathitasnokfour rtehsepiencdtubsetcrya.use of your title or positions, Dellinger is hoping to build the
leesasdenetrisahl itpruocnk dwrihviecrhs. bAolltahcDroessllAinmgerica, buRt poueoghpllye3w0iplleorcnelnytroefstpheocsteywohuoif you strength of TCA through greater
athnedseEmarennhaanrddtwaogmreeen. aBreotwhomrkeinnghdavye rrespoenctdtehdesmaid.”“reducing or eliminating involvement. In his recent acceptance
eaanrdnneidghtht teorsetsopcekcotuorfsthoreeirshpeelveers,udseilnivger hoAurssb-ooft-hsemrviecne (dHesOcSr)ibregtuhleatfiountus”resh, ould speech for the chairmanship, Dellinger
tmhaetdaicpapl eroquaicphm. Ietn’stitmo hpoosrptiatnalts,taonndostoemthuacth tbheeayttoaplkpraibooriutytawt hthaetftehdeeyra’lllldevoelw. Oithther said, “An effective trade association is
bmoothre…Eawrnehapaprdretcaiantde yDouel.”linger describe tshueggresstpioencst ftrhoemy’rveespboenednegnitvseinncalundded: one that should never been viewed as a
theFmorstehlveessafaestyhoafvtihnegdsrtirvoenrsg, tohpeiTnTioAns. h•oewxptahnedyin’lgl ctrounctkinpuarektiongreavspaielacbtiolityheanrsd. spectator sport, but rather as something
Bhoasthalshoavcaenwceolerdkethdet2h0e2ir0wTrauycukpDtrhivrionuggh Eaernnsuhrairndgtssaafeyspahrekilnogoks forward to that each and every one of us should be
tChheaimndpuiosntrshyipans.dMcaonuyldeetaislsilyabtoeulltothers h•eklepeipnigngfltereutcskmstaoipnstoaipnenthaenidr cidleeanntity intricately involved in and become hard-
hCoOwVtIoDd-1o9tahriensgtisl,l baumtytshteryy’vteolreeasernarecdhers, a•sfitnhaenicniadluasstirsytagnocesfrtohmroeuitghherdtrhaemstateicor wired to that spirit of service within the
tdheastpfitoermcinongththseoifrfopcuinseidonstsuodny. oBtuhtethrsere chfaednegreasl ginoveeqrnumipemntent, like using assWochiaotkionno.w” s how long truckers, and those
iissna’tgrteheemmenotsttheaftfelacrtgievegawthaeyritnogds oftpheionpglse., h•yrdedruocgienng foureellsimorineaxtipnegrfiumeletnatxiensg, rwegiuthlating whTohkeerepisthneomdrouunbntinbgowthillDcoelnlitningueertaonbde
Aesspaecrieaslluylitn, tchoenyfi’vnedrisspeancetso, cpaonslietiaodntsoof aubtroonkoermfeoeus,satnrduclokcsk.ing in freight rates from Einarhnarhmar’sdwtawy,ilbluctoitn’sticnleuaer etovereysopneecitntthhee
rweshpatecist,cabluletdD‘seulplienr-gseprresaadyesri’te’svnenotts ainbout oinpdinusiotrnyspolafntshteoirkepeeperissinngtthoetihrencehwallenges
b“eIftohreinthketphaenodneme gicreat thing about the lperaedsenrstehdipbyrothleesp. andemic. TTN

22 28 •• TTAERNHN EE SESLEWE HT EREULCSK I NQ 1G SNPER IWN GS 2 0Q210S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

Father
Knows
Best

Son follows dad’s footsteps right into the driver’s seat

BYLYDON FINNEY / GUEST WRITER

PHOTOS: COURTESY JOHN TRETEAULT

Back in the 1940s and 1950s there was a was a youngster of 12 or 13. “It was more or less just a paycheck,”
radio and television sitcom called “Father Tetreault’s father, Rick, was an OTR he said. “It didn’t have any benefits or
Knows Best.” retirement. It was going to be the same
trucker who brought his big rig home on thing forever.”
On the show, the father, Jim Anderson the weekends.
(played by Robert Young), dispensed It was then he thought about going OTR.
fatherly advice to his three children. As “I used to hang around his truck, and In February 2015, John Tetreault made
sitcom scripts usually go, the advice was I’d think, ‘This is so cool,’” the younger the move to Averitt Express. (Courtesy:
well heeded, and everything was always well Tetreault said. John Tetreault)
with the family by the end of each episode. “My wife, Cindy, and I talked about it
While driving for his uncle’s business and I told her, ‘I’d really like to drive a big
Fast-forward to 2015. It was a father’s one day, Tetreault said he came to the truck. There is more money in it, and the
advice to his son that landed the latter a realization that for him, there was no benefits are better, and it’s something I can
job with Averitt Express where, within future driving a box truck. do to an old age,” Tetreault related.
a short time, the son became a trainer, a After three weeks of discussion with his
mentor, a member of the Driver Advisory wife, who he said is his support system
Council and a Tennessee Road Team while he’s on the road, and talks with his
Captain, working right alongside his dad. dad, Tetreault decided becoming an OTR
driver was definitely the way to go.
The son, John Tetreault, who just At first, Tetreault said, his father was
turned 32, has been driving trucks since hesitant about his son becoming an
he graduated high school in Clarksville, OTR driver.
Tennessee. His first trucking job was “He knew the lifestyle,” Tetreault said.
driving a box truck for his uncle’s
electronic and appliance-repair business. CONTINUED 

But he’d long had a fascination with
over-the-road (OTR) trucking since he

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 29

Sharpen drivers’
safety skills

NEW Help new and experienced drivers avoid
incidents with J. J. Keller’s Driver Training Series
AD-56939
— now with 2 NEW programs.

Backing Techniques covers:

• the dangers of backing
• general backing guidelines
• applying backing techniques based on the situation

AD-56940 Coupling & Uncoupling covers how to:
J. J. Keller and your State Trucking
Association are partners in compliance. • inspect the coupling system
• safely operate landing gear and pull releases
• identify safe practices when using a converter dolly

Order Use for initial or
today refresher training!

for justDS

$325ea.

RIVER TRAINING SERIE

To order, call TTA at 615-777-2882 TM
or email [email protected]
PC 203783

“He said to me, ‘You tearing up

know, you’re out here our equipment.’”

dealing with a lot. Tetreault’s career as a

It can be stressful at mentor started a couple

times.’ But in the end, of years ago. In this role,

he was proud and he helps drivers who have

happy that I became a signed on with Averitt

truck driver. but whose experience

“He was probably my doesn’t require them to go

biggest help when I got through training.

out on my own. I was “They can sign up for

calling him more than the mentor program and

I was my actual trainer then they get assigned

at my first company,” to a person like myself,”

Tetreault continued. “I Tetreault said. “I help

would call him and say, them with our operating

‘They have me going systems, workflow

to this place. This is system, how to send

the route I’m looking in information from

at. Do you think this the road, and where

is okay?’ And he’d say, our service centers

‘No, no, no. You need John Tetreault, right, and his father Rick are both Tennessee Trucking Association Road Team are located, among
to go this way and you Captains, members of the Averitt Express Driver Advisory Council and have competed in the other things. They are
can stop at so-and-so Tennessee Trucking Association’s Truck Driving Championships. (Photo: Courtesy John Tetreault) just getting used to a

truck stop.’ He was a major help when I at Averitt Express. new company, and we want to make the

first got into trucking.” Finally, in February of 2015 John transition as easy as easy as possible.”

When he decided to go into OTR trucking, Tetreault made the move to Averitt Express. Tetreault said at Averitt Express, he doesn’t

Tetreault found a local company some “I feel I’m at one of the best companies feel like just another number.

50 miles from home. The company only out there,” Tetreault said. “They really take “I’m made to feel like I’m someone of

required an applicant to have a CDL permit. care of me. I get great miles, and I have a importance, and that all drivers here are really

Applicants were trained on the company’s great personal relationship with my fleet appreciated,” he said.

parking lot and then put  out on the road manager, Mike Pitner. He and I think a lot The father-son relationship didn’t just end

with a trainer for two or three weeks; then alike. He listens to my concerns and helps with Averitt’s recruiting progress.

the applicant got his or her permanent CDL. me resolve them.” Both have competed in the Tennessee Truck

Then you were on your own,” Tetreault Tetreault loves his job as a trainer, he Driving Championships, both are road-team

said. “My first company was to me more of a said, because he’s always liked helping captains and both are members of the Averitt

flight or fall company. If you were not showing fellow drivers. Express Driver Advisory Council, which

improvement after the first week of training “Before I was a trainer, I would drive up has input on such things as new or changing

they would tend to let you go, as their training to a customer’s dock and I’d see one of our policies and the purchase of new equipment.

program was expedited. They needed people drivers come in and mess up their setup and Tetreault is obviously glad that — despite

who learned quick and were serious about see them struggling to get backed in,” he his father’s hesitancy — he became an OTR

the job. I was excited about my first trucking said. “I would know they might be just out of driver and is really happy he took his father’s

company but very anxious as this was a whole training and didn’t remember their training advice and joined Averitt Express

new career field for me. I felt it was important of setups.” After all, fathers know best. TTN

to give this company a minimum of six Eventually, Tetreault was asked to be a

months to make up my mind as to whether or driver trainer. Reprinted with permission by The Trucker.

not I would stay.” “I jumped all over it,” he said. “I thought, Original story published on June 12, 2020.

In the meantime, Tetreault’s father ‘Here’s my chance to help out future drivers, https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/

was working to recruit him to come to and if I can make a new driver safer, there’s uncategorized/father-knows-best-son-follows-

Averitt, extolling the virtue of working less chance of them getting into an accident or dads-footsteps-right-into-the-drivers-seat/

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 31

Road TeamTennessee Trucking Association’s 2020

AAA and Tennessee Trucking
Association team up to
#THANKATRUCKER

The Tennessee Trucking Association
was honored to be part of AAA’s thank
a driver campaign. We helped hand out
goody bags to the amazing truckers that
stopped by the Lebanon, TN Pilot Truck
Stop yesterday. Thank you to Pilot for
allowing us to honor these drivers at your
location! Thank you to AAA for providing
the goody bags.

St. Jude Motorcycle Fundraiser
The fifth annual Big G Motorcycle Ride

benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital was a roaring success with the
Shelbyville-based carrier’s riders and
supporters raising $25,000, which was $15,000
more than their goal this year.

Starting in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., kickstands
went up at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 30,
sending the 148 registered motorcycle riders
approximately 75 miles to Monteagle, Tenn.
where the fundraiser auction was held at Jim
Oliver’s Smokehouse Restaurant.

Tim Chelette, ATA Road Team Captain
organized the event, Paula Harper, Tennessee
Road Team Captain, volunteered to check
everyone in and Robert Moxley, Tennessee
Road Team Captain, and is wife Teresa, were
big supporters of the auction.

32 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

Harper Recognized by FedEx Express Paula Harper and John Smith has a problem, you have to help solve that
problem.” Paula’s passion for FedEx and the
From an early age, Paula Harper was job fair for FedEx Express and was hired as trucking industry is unmistakable. She has
captivated by trucks. Instead of growing up a driver. She worked eight years for FedEx been educating the public about the industry
playing with dolls, she grew up playing with Express before joining the FedEx Freight team and road safety as a member of the Tennessee
dump trucks and front-end loaders. in 2016. As a City Driver with FedEx Freight, Road Team since 2017. And earlier this year
her retail background has been an asset. she was announced as one of 10 drivers for the
“Trucks have fascinated me since I was a 2020-2021 FedEx Freight Road Team.
little girl,” Paula said. “I always dreamed of “I love being able to interact with our
driving a truck.” Growing up, Paula never customers,” Paula said. “I want to leave them “My goal is to make the highways a safer
thought driving a truck was an obtainable with a positive experience with FedEx. You place and to educate people,” she said. “We
goal. Instead, she pursued a career in retail, always have a smile on your face. If a customer can take a tractor-trailer out to a safety event
but her father’s influence helped guide her or a school and let people experience what
toward her dream job. Paula’s dad operated we experience in the cab of a truck.” Paula
heavy equipment, was a truck driver and steel said she brings a lot of knowledge about
worker. “My dad was in the Navy,” Paula said. being a truck driver to the Road Team. “The
“He was a frogman (an early version of what trucking industry is a great career for a man or
is now Navy SEALS). When he got out of the a woman,” she said. “You can go anywhere at
Navy, his brothers told him the Army was FedEx Freight. You can go into management,
harder, so he went into the Army. He always you don’t have to just be a driver. But I love
taught me growing up, whatever you set your being a driver. It’s very rewarding.”
mind to, you can do. And that is what I
have done.” And when the opportunity to speak to
women interested in a driving career arises,
Working retail, Paula said drivers would Paula has this advice: “I would tell women to
come into the store making deliveries and she just go for it,” she said. “If you like a challenge,
would say, “Man, I want to do that.” Paula’s it can be challenging. It’s a lot of fun. You can’t
opportunity to fulfill her dream and drive go wrong. TTN
professionally came when she attended a

Gnash Says Stay Out of the No Zone!
Thanks to a generous grant from the Preds Foundation, Gnash is now part of our rolling billboard for safety on our newly wrapped TTA No Zone trailer! Go Preds! UPS
and Old Dominion Freight Line have also offered a trailer that we are trying to get sports teams from East and West TN to sponsor wraps on. If you have contacts with
any teams in those areas, please let us know!

Q1 SPRING 2020 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 33

Calendar of Events Tennessee Trucking News

TTA’s 90th Annual Convention ADVERTISER
September 20-22, 2020 RESOURCE INDEX

Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Destin, FL. Adams and Reese LLP 23

For details on how to register, book hotel, become a sponsor and/or an exhibitor, please visit ATA Comp Fund 25
www.tntrucking.org/2020-convention/
Clarke Power Services 22
JULY
July 22-23 NATMI - Safety & DOT Compliance @ Great West Casualty, Knoxville, TN Drivers Legal Plan 21
July 23 MTN Big Rigs for Little Kids Golf Tournament
July 30 ETN Big Rigs for Little Kids Golf Tournament Great West Casualty Co. Inside front cover

AUGUST International/Navistar Inside back cover
August 7 Roadside Inspection, Greenville Scales I-81
August 12 Roadside Inspection, Brownsville Scales I-40 J.J. Keller & Associates 30
August 13 Sporting Clay Shoot
August 25-27 NATMI-Maintenance Supervisor & Maintenance Director Certification Joe Morten & Son Insurance 24

SEPTEMBER MHC Kenworth 4
September 20-22 TTA’s 90th Annual Convention, Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa,
Destin, FL. McMahon Truck Centers 24

Nacarato Volvo Trucks 20

Neely Coble Company, Inc. 6

PrePass Safety Alliance 27

Rush Truck Center Back cover

Snider Fleet Solutions 3

Southern Tire Mart 13

TA/Petro 10

TAG Truck Center 8

Tennessee Trucking Association 16, 26

Truckers Against Trafficking 28

New TTA Members This edition of Tennessee Trucking News
was made possible with the support of these
ALLIED CARRIER corporate advertisers, all TTA members. They
ATA Comp Fund Gemini Motor Transport support the trucking industry by enabling
Call A Doctor Plus Metal Max, LLC Tennessee Trucking Association to provide
PetroChoice Sadler Brothers Trucking this publication to its members, prospective
The Campbell Group, an Acrisure members, elected officials and the business
community at large. They deserve your
Agency Partner consideration and patronage when making your
corporate purchasing decisions. Thank you!

34 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2020

CJJiOimmRPPOPRiinnATddEeeFrrLEET DIRECTOR

CORPORATE FLEET DIRECTOR

TTHHEE DDCCEOEOLLMMIIVVBBEEIINNRRAAIINNTTGIGIOORRNNEETTLLHHIIAAAABBTTIILLPPIIUUTTTYTYSSAATTNNHHDDEEBBEEEERRTTBBTTGEGERRRROODDUURRPPIIVVOOEEFFRR CCSSOAOATMTMIIPSPSAFAFAANNCCIIEETTSSIIOOAANNHH..EEAADD
“Our business deals with refrigerated deliveries, so it’s imperative we’re on time – breaking down isn’t
“Our business deals with refrigerated deliveries, so it’s imperative we’re on time – breaking down isn’t
an option. Being the lightest engine in its class, the International® A26 Engine allows us to haul more
an option. Being the lightest engine in its class, the International® A26 Engine allows us to haul more
payload and earn more revenue. Not to mention, we can get over 10 miles per gallon. It’s resulted in
payload and earn more revenue. Not to mention, we can get over 10 miles per gallon. It’s resulted in
mmoorree ffuueell ssaavviinnggss ffoorr uuss tthhaann oouurr pprreevviioouuss ssppeecciifificcaattiioonnss.. IItt’’ss aallssoo tthhee qquuiieetteesstt aanndd mmoosstt eefffificciieenntt eennggiinnee
wwee hhaavvee iIiInnnnttooeeuurrnrnraflafltteeiioeoentnt..aaRRll®®eeAAlliia2a2bb66iillEEiittnnyyggiiisisnnkekeee.”.”yy––,, aaJJnniimmdd oPoPuiuinnrrdduueepprrttiimmee ddeeppeennddss oonn tthhee IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall®® LLTT®® aanndd RRHH™™ SSeerriieess
with the
with the

VIEW THE ERB GROUP OF COMPANIES FULL STORY AND DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF DRIVING AN
CUMBERLAND INT’LIVN.ITEERWRUNCTHAKTESIEORNBAGLLRALTONUWDPMITOAHRFTKCHOIENMTINP’LAT.ENTRIRENUSACFTKUISOLNL ASLTOAR2Y6LEAEENN-GSDMIDNITIESHCAOT VINETRETRHNEABTIEONNEAFLITTSRUOCFTKDRSIR.-CSIVOTIAMNT/GEEARINNBT’L. TRUCKS
www.cumberlandtruIcNkTsE.cRoNmATIONALwLwTwW.laInTdHmTaHrEktIrNucTkEsR.cNoAmTIONAL A2w6 wENwG.leINe-EsmATithIN.cToEmRNATIONALTRUCwKwSw.C.tOriMst/aEtReiBnternational.net

Nashville TN (615) 256-4633 Knoxville TN (865) 637-4881 Chattanooga TN (423) 622-4161 Union City TN (731) 885-9302

Murfreesboro TN (615) 427-4600 Cookeville TN (931) 738-0480 Murray KY (270) 753-1372

VOLUNTEER INTERNATIONAL Morristown TN (423) 586-8558 Bowling Green KY (270) 843-9031
www.volunteerintl.com Oak Grove KY (270) 605-5301

Jackson TN (731) 422-3411

© 2019 , Inc. All rights reserved.
A©ll2m0a1r9ks are trademar, kInsco. fAtlhl eriirghrtesspreescetirvveedo.wners.
All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Wnhoenonitecoofmferessytooutrmucokrien. g,

NEW AND PRE-OWNED SALES l SERVICE l MOBILE SERVICE l ALL-MAKES PARTS
COLLISION CENTER l CAR HAULER l LEASING l FINANCING l INSURANCE

Rush Truck Center – Nashville is part of North America’s largest network of heavy- and
medium-duty truck dealerships, representing industry-leading brands including Peterbilt. We offer
an extensive inventory of parts and accessories and are staffed by ASE-certified service professionals

who provide skilled maintenance and repair for all makes and models.

Contact us today to see why no one offers you more.

800-489-7403
Rush Truck Center – Nashville
900 Expo Drive l Smyrna, Tennessee 37167

800-489-7403 toll free l 615-220-7777 direct l 615-220-7625 fax

2019 Rush Enterprises, Inc. 0266-0619 RTC Nashville Truck News Ad