Tarheel Wheels Issue 2, 2022 ~ Jason Smith, Southland Transportation

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

ISSUE 2 2022

FAITH, MENTORS & FAMILY:
SUCCESS TAKES A TEAM
Æ JASON SMITH, NCTA CHAIRMAN,

SOUTHLAND TRANSPORTATION

Æ ZERO EMISSION TRUCKS Æ COURTROOM TIPS
& TACTICS

Æ SPOTLIGHT: Æ NCTA 2022 AWARDS
SEAN KELLY, PRMC WINNERS & EVENTS

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ISSUE 2 2022
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES

Æ FAITH, MENTORS & FAMILY:
SUCCESS TAKES A TEAM p 20

Southland Transportation’s President and incoming
NCTA Chairman Jason Smith shares the company’s
wonderful history and lessons learned
BY ERIC J. FRANCIS

8 Zero-Emission Trucks Not Really
Zero Emissions

BY STEVE BRAWNER

14 Member Spotlight:
Pilot Risk Management Consulting's

Sean Kelly works to keep state insurance
fees down

BY STEVE BRAWNER

16 Facing the ‘Reptile’ in the Courtroom
BY DANIEL SIEGAL

28 NCTA 2022 Events
Truck Driving Championships, TopTech

Competition, Annual Management
Conference & Clay Shoot

DEPARTMENTS 37 By the Numbers
37 Calendar of Events
6 NCTA Annual Sponsors 38 Outtakes by Marilyn

7 President’s Message Surber, Tenstreet
by Sam Faucette

34 New NCTA Members

IMAGES ON COVER AND THIS PAGE OF JASON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHED BY DANIEL GRAY.

ISSUE 2 2022 5

NCTA OFFICERS OF THE BOARD

Annual Sponsors Jason Smith Lora Dedmon

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Southland Transportation A.V. Dedmon Trucking, Inc.
Chairman 1st Vice Chair
$25,000
Mark Patterson Phil Peck
ELITE
V3 Transportation Epes Transport SystemVice
Excel Truck Group Vice Chair Vice Chair
MHC Kenworth
Howell Clark Richard Hepler
Velocity Truck Centers
Waccamaw Transport, Inc. Best Logistics Group, Inc.
$13,500 Treasurer ATA State Vice President

GOLD Keith Barnes Ronald Rogers
Barnes Transportation Services, Inc. L J Rogers Trucking
Old Dominion Freight Line
Tenstreet Roy Cox David Locke
Best Logistics Group McMahon Truck Centers
White’s International Trucks
Kristene Turner Gordon Underwood
$8,500 Brown Trucking Company Mineral City Transport

SILVER Andy Marchiano Rob Moseley
C.R.T.S. Moseley-Marcianak Law Group
C.R.T.S. Trailer Sales
Gallagher Benefit Services Dennis Dellinger Mark Penley
McMahon Truck Centers Cargo Transporters Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Red Classic Transit, LLC Jerry Sigmon Steven Garrish
Relation Insurance Services Cargo Transporters Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Snider Fleet Solutions Scott Sensing Jason Wing
Trimble Transportation Carolina Axle Surgeons, Inc. Red Classic Transit Inc.

Twin State Trailers Jim Norwood Spencer Webster
Walmart Carolina Tank Lines Red Classic Transit Inc.

For more details on how to become Ryan Chambers Christopher Raker
a sponsor, please either scan this QR Chambers Transportation SAIA
code, or contact NCTA's vice president of
membership, Petrina Lawrence, at (919) Scott Lassiter Stephen Davis
616-8049 or [email protected] City Transfer & Storage SE DaDacis & Associates

6 TARHEEL WHEELS Herb Evans Donnie Wilson
Eagle Transport Swing Transport

Lance Collette Archie Wood
Eagle Transport SWTO LLC

Bree Bryant Scott Farwell
Eagle Transport Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham

Amy Medlin Benjamin Cox
Epes Transport System, LLC Thermo King Central

Melissa Nishan Jack McNairy
Epes Transport System, LLC Tidewater Transport

Ken Tyree Dave Riley
Excel Truck Group Trinity Transport Inc.

Grover Ezzell Badger Underwood
Ezzell Trucking Underwood & Weld, Co

Catherine Ezzell-Joyner Mark Berry
Ezzell Trucking Unifi

Rick Starnes Jeff Wafford
FedEx UPS

Ben Greenberg Gerald Myers
Goldberg Segalla Velocity Truck Center - Asheville

Randolph Smith Jeff Wilson
Grant Thornton LLP Wilson Bros. Milling & Trucking

Chris Hill Tim Birmingham
Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel XPO Logistics, Inc.

Kevin Sherritze David Yarbrough
Joe Morton & Son, Inc Yarbrough Transfer Co

Clyde Kerns
Kerns Trucking, Inc.

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
Welcome to this edition of Tarheel Wheels. The NCTA staff and membership have
Tarheel Wheels is owned by the North Carolina Trucking Association been busy this spring and summer season and have held our long-awaited NC Truck
Driving Championships, Top Tech Challenge and Annual Management Conference.
and is published three times a year by Matthews Publishing Group. Following a 2 year delay, the 81st NC Truck Driving Championships and Step Van
Driving Championships were held at the NC Fairgrounds. Each class of vehicle
For additional copies, to order reprints of individual articles or was well represented by 114 of the best “accident free” drivers in the industry. The
to become a subscriber to Tarheel Wheels, and for information about competition consisted of a written test, pre-trip inspection and driving skills course.
The top scorer in each class will represent their carrier company and North Carolina
advertising please contact Jennifer Matthews-Drake at the National Truck Driving Championships and
National Step Van Driving Championships this
at [email protected]. summer in Indianapolis, IN. Thanks to the TDC
committee and Chairman Ronnie McCoy for their
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake hard work to make this event a success.
We were fortunate to have FMCSA Division
[email protected] Administrator, Jon McCormick and his staff
present to perform the Pre-Trip Inspection judging
Creative Director Fran Sherman and Captain Joe Money and troopers with the
North Carolina State Highway Patrol to perform
[email protected] Field Course Judging for the competition. Thanks
to each sponsor and volunteer who either donated
Graphic Designer Barb Negron equipment, gave their time to assist or supported
the event in many ways.
Ad Production Douglas J. Benjamin The Top Tech Challenge was held at this event with
XX technicians participating. Each competitor was
Photographers Chris Fain scored on knowledge, skill and ability to diagnose
Daniel Gray technical, electrical and mechanical issues. Leading
David Sinclair this event was Benjamin Phillips, Chairman of the
Technology and Maintenance Council.
Contributing Writers Steve Brawner Attendees also celebrated our NC Drivers of the
Andrew Dunn Month and Driver of the Year recipients. Twelve
Eric J. Francis of the most deserving drivers were honored at
Johnny Kampis the TDC/TTC Awards Ceremony. Each driver
Renee Miller was recognized and awarded by their tenure as
David Monteith safe drivers and time in the industry. These 12
drivers set the example of a true professional with their dedication to the industry and
John Schulz outstanding safety records.
Lacy C. Thacker The 2022 NC Driver of the Year is Drew Truax with TCW, Inc. who has accumulated
over 4 million safe driving miles during his 46 year career. Congratulations to Drew
www.NCTrucking.com and his family along with the entire TCW group.
North Carolina Trucking Association NCTA Membership took advantage of the opportunity to return to the Grove Park Inn
for the 2022 Annual Management Conference in July. Again, after a pause it was good
Staff to be able to hold this in-person event for the membership to not only network with
friends but to also meet new members. Educational sessions were conducted, and
Interim-President Sam Faucette 2022-2023 officers were installed during the business meeting.
Old Dominion Freight Line The Annual Conference Committee begins planning many months before the Annual
Conference takes place. Lora Dedmon, Annual Conference Chair worked tirelessly
Vice President Membership Petrina Lawrence with the committee to make the event a success and it was a great conference attended
[email protected] by more than 400 attendees.
The commitment of the NCTA chairman takes several years to fulfill. Experience as
Vice President of Education, Events and Programs Committee Chairs and Vice Chair enables the incoming Chairman to experience the
Jennifer Hjalmquist depth of responsibility of leading the NCTA membership. Many thanks to Immediate
Past Chairman Luke Mangum for his time, talent and leadership during the past year.
[email protected] Jason Smith with Southland Transport was inducted as the Chairman of the NCTA.
He has shared his story in this edition of Tarheel Wheels. We are thankful to Jason and
Director of Operations Lindsey Harris the entire Executive Committee for leading the NCTA forward during his tenure.

[email protected] Thank you,

Regulatory Specialist Steve Massey Sam Faucette

[email protected] Sam Faucette
NCTA‘s Interim-President
An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations [email protected]

Since 1929, the North Carolina Trucking Association (NCTA) ISSUE 2 2022 7
has represented the interests of the trucking industry. NCTA works

to protect the interests of North Carolina’s trucking industry by
working with state and federal regulatory and enforcement agencies.

We are also dedicated to providing excellence in Education,
Training, and Information. And promoting a safe, dependable and cost-

effective motor transportation infrastructure to the betterment of
the trucking industry in North Carolina.

For more information, contact NCTA at:
North Carolina Trucking Association
223 South West Street, Suite 900
Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: 919-834-0387
Facsimile: 919-834-3926
Website: www.nctrucking.com

FEATURE

ZERO-EMISSION TRUCKS NOT REALLY ZERO EMISSIONS

BY STEVE BRAWNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FUEL CELL ELECTRIC TRUCKS, WHICH
PRODUCE ELECTRICITY USING

HYDROGEN STORED ONBOARD IN
TANKS, WOULD REDUCE EMISSIONS

BY 44.6 PERCENT.

While zero-emission vehicles like electric trucks don’t Democratic Republic of Congo, another country with serious
emit carbon from the tailpipe, significant amounts are human rights concerns.
produced in the manufacturing process. Meanwhile,
challenges remain regarding their range, cost and the electric At the same time, motor carriers switching to zero-tailpipe-
charging infrastructure. emission trucks will pay significantly more at the dealership.
Battery electric Class 8 trucks can cost as much as $450,000,
A study released earlier this year by the American Transportation and fuel cell trucks can cost from $200,000 to $600,000. Diesel
Research Institute (ATRI) found that factoring in mining, trucks, in contrast, cost between $135,000 and $150,000.
manufacturing, electricity production and disposal, battery
electric trucks would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30% Also, zero-tailpipe-emission trucks would require changes to
compared to diesel trucks – a significant amount, but not “zero trucking’s operational structure, which is based on the nation’s
emission.” Fuel cell electric trucks, which produce electricity long-established fuel infrastructure network. ATRI is preparing
using hydrogen stored onboard in tanks, would reduce another report about the nationwide charging infrastructure that
emissions by 44.6 percent. will need to be developed and about the grid’s ability to meet the
trucking industry’s needs.
In the study titled, “Understanding the CO2 Impacts of Zero-
Emission Trucks,” ATRI found that while electric and fuel cell Among the other operational issues is the 6,000-8,000 pounds
trucks emit nothing from the tailpipe, the mining of materials of batteries that heavy-duty electric trucks require. They’ll save
and the production of the trucks would produce roughly four weight in other areas, such as exhaust equipment, but there
times what’s emitted during the production of a diesel truck. nevertheless will be a significant weight difference. Carriers
whose loads reach the 80,000-pound weight limit will have to buy
Also, batteries can require lithium, graphite, cobalt, manganese, additional trucks to deliver the same amount of freight, assuming
and nickel, almost none of which are currently produced in the they can find drivers.
United States. Eighty-two percent of the world’s graphite is
produced in China, while 70.5% of its cobalt is produced in the At this point, electric vehicles won’t work in every application, said
Glen Kedzie, the American Trucking Associations’ vice president,

8 TARHEEL WHEELS

ISSUE 2 2022 9

FEATURE

energy and environmental counsel. For some weight-sensitive, vehicles would produce 2.051 million pounds.
long-haul operations, they will be cost-prohibitive or technically
unfeasible. Electric vehicles don’t run as well on hilly terrain or in Whatever changes are made by trucking wouldn’t solve
cold weather. Tank truck haulers can’t take an electric vehicle to a the climate change crisis on its own. The study found that
refinery because of the potential for sparks. medium- and heavy-duty trucks caused only 7 percent of
the country’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, while the
The American Trucking Associations is not opposed to zero- overall transportation sector was responsible for 29 percent of
emission vehicles and might support achievable and affordable greenhouse gases.
regulations. But regulatory changes must take into account
all considerations. The best-case scenario is for the marketplace to drive advances in
electric trucks. Rick Mihelic, director of emerging technology for
“We are fact-based. We are science-based,” said Kedzie. “But we the North American Council for Fleet Efficiency (NACFE), noted
are also sensitive to the financial ability of fleets to keep hauling some large shippers have sustainability goals and are looking for
the nation’s freight without having any serious disruptions, fleets that operate clean vehicles.
especially for the 97 percent of those trucking companies in the
country that are characterized as small businesses, which are very Kedzie said zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles first will gain
integral to the overall supply chain.” acceptance in market segments covering shorter distances, like
local package delivery trucks. Other segments will take more
That’s not to say zero-tailpipe-emission trucks won’t time. Historically, diesel trucks have driven the shortest distance
provide some benefits. Emissions of greenhouse gases such between two points, a straight line, because there’s always a
as carbon dioxide trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in fueling station somewhere. With electric vehicles and the current
changes to the climate, many scientists say. Electric and fuel state of charging infrastructure, they may have to divert to find a
cell trucks would reduce emissions over the truck’s entire life place to plug in, resulting in lost driving time.
cycle. While diesel trucks produce an average of 3.7 million
pounds of carbon dioxide, battery electric vehicles would Kedzie said the ATA wants to avoid disruptions in the marketplace.
produce 2.594 million pounds, and hydrogen fuel cell He said smart people are working to overcome the challenges
associated with zero-tailpipe-emission trucks, but it’s impossible

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to know when those challenges will be solved. Under the Clean Air Act, states must follow federal standards,
except for California. If California deviates from federal
“Diesel has taken 75 years to get where it is today,” he said. “It’s requirements and enacts stricter standards, other states can
not about flipping a switch. I tell folks that the easy part is putting choose to adopt identical ones.
a regulation in place and creating a law. The difficult part is the 99
percent of things that have to occur after that switch is flipped.” California’s Advanced Clean Truck Rule requires truck makers
to sell rising numbers of zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles starting
NACFE’s Mihelic believes the operational problems can be in model year 2024. That year, 5 percent of Class 7-8 tractors and
overcome. When diesel is $3 per gallon, the electricity required 9 percent of Class 4-8 tractors must be zero-tailpipe-emission
to run a tractor is two to three times less expensive, and diesel is vehicles. By 2030, the numbers are 30 percent and 50 percent, and
a lot more than $3 a gallon currently. Maintenance costs could by 2035 they are 40 percent and 75 percent. So far, five states have
eventually be half to a third of diesel. Electric trucks have fewer joined with California in adopting the rule: Washington, Oregon,
moving parts and less vibrating equipment. Battery weight will New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts.
not be an issue for trucks hauling lighter freight, and many trucks
travel less than 200 miles per day. Assisting the industry is the California is also developing another rule, the Advanced Clean
increasing popularity and advancement of other types of electric Fleets Rule, that will require fleets starting in 2025 to buy
vehicles, Mihelic said. increasing numbers of zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles.

But it will be years before zero-tailpipe-emission trucks dominate Kedzie said a number of stakeholders will likely challenge
the market. A good production year in the United States is the Clean Fleets Rule once it is finalized in California. The
300,000 to 350,000 Class 8 trucks and about the same number of American Trucking Associations continues to carefully assess
medium-duty trucks. There are 2.8 million tractors and 8.8 million developments under this rule. It had concerns about the
single trucks in North America, so it will take a long time to replace Advanced Clean Truck Rule because it knew it would lead to
them. Trucks bought in 2030 will still be operating in 2050. the Advanced Clean Fleets Rule that will reduce vehicle and
technology purchasing choices.
“Even if you could turn the switch on today and every truck built is
electric, it still takes you 10 to 20 years to get there,” Mihelic said. ATA’s Kedzie said that just because California passes a regulation

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ISSUE 2 2022 11

FEATURE

doesn’t mean other states should follow suit. California is “CALIFORNIA’S AN ANOMALY WHEN
providing billions of dollars in financial incentives to help fleets IT COMES TO ELECTRIC
purchase electric trucks. State funds are also available to help pay
for charging infrastructure. VEHICLES,” HE SAID. “AND THAT’S
WHY WE ARE TELLING STATES, IF YOU
“California’s an anomaly when it comes to electric vehicles,” WANT TO MIMIC WHAT CALIFORNIA’S
he said. “And that’s why we are telling states, if you want
to mimic what California’s doing, you need to mimic them DOING, YOU NEED TO MIMIC THEM
financially as well. Are you prepared to do that, and how do you FINANCIALLY AS WELL. ARE YOU
plan on doing it?” PREPARED TO DO THAT, AND HOW

Meanwhile, alternative fuels already in use, such as biodiesel and DO YOU PLAN ON DOING IT?”
renewable diesel, could greatly reduce emissions while requiring
less operational change by motor carriers. Biodiesel is made from regular diesel. American consumers use almost one billion gallons
feedstock such as vegetable oils and animal fats. It can be used annually, but the report said that number could rise to 5.1 billion
in pure form or blended with petroleum-based diesel. In 2019, gallons by the end of 2024. Natural gas trucks produce 27.8 percent
1.8 billion gallons were consumed in the United States, a not- lower carbon dioxide emissions over the truck’s lifetime, or one
insignificant percentage of the 36.5 billion gallons of diesel fuel million fewer pounds.
consumed overall. Over its life cycle, pure biodiesel produces
72.4 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum- Finally, there are already 175,000 natural gas vehicles in the United
based diesel, although it doesn’t perform well in cold weather States, most of them commercial motor vehicles. These produce
and can affect truck warranties. Most biodiesel is consumed as 27.8 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime
part of a blend. of the truck than diesel engines, or one million fewer pounds of
carbon dioxide, according to ATRI’s study.
Renewable diesel, which also is made from vegetable oil and
animal fat sources, produces 68.7 percent lower emissions than

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12 TARHEEL WHEELS

FEATURE

Mihelic said technologies electric technology
will be competing for across the United States.
market share over the Diesel trucks face stricter
next decade, but battery emissions regulations
electric vehicles and but have limited room to
hydrogen fuel cells will improve. Electric trucks,
emerge as dominant. on the other hand, can
Meanwhile, renewable only get better. Once the
diesel and natural gas trucks can get out in the
trucks will remain viable market and fleets can
for decades. offer feedback, then their
performance, reliability
The ATRI study notes and cost will improve.
that technology
advancements in the For now, battery
future will let batteries electric and hydrogen
store more energy, weigh less and last longer – reducing the life- fuel cell trucks remain
cycle emissions associated with them. Advancements also could an emerging technology with great long-term promise but
be made at power plants that would reduce emissions. Likewise, significant short-term challenges in front of them. They’re more
new technology could reduce fuel cell emissions. In particular,
a process that is being researched known as solar-based high- expensive. The charging infrastructure is lacking. They’re not
temperature steam electrolysis theoretically could reduce carbon actually zero-emission trucks. But, over the truck’s life cycle,
dioxide emissions by more than 91 percent. they do emit less.

Mihelic noted the industry is at the beginning of the spread of “You’ve got naysayers, and you’ve got zealots on both sides, and
somewhere in the middle is reality,” Mihelic said.

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ISSUE 2 2022 13

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

TEACHING’S LOSS IS TRUCKING’S GAIN

Pilot Risk Management Consulting's Sean Kelly works to keep state
insurance fees down

BY STEVE BRAWNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Sean Kelly is one of the reasons including executive committee meetings.
trucking companies are saving
thousands of dollars on state “Sean’s a driver on it. He’s going to be good for the association,”
insurance fees. he said.

The NCTA Executive Committee Kelly did not plan on being an insurance salesman. Instead, he
member and Allied Committee wanted to be an English teacher and coach, so he earned his master’s
chair was among the NCTA degree in English language and literature at Virginia Tech.
representatives who advocated
for reducing the fees carriers were But there were no openings for teaching jobs when he finished school
paying to fund the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility. in 2008, so he helped open and run a restaurant in Wilmington for
a time. His girlfriend and future wife, Sarah, came from a trucking
The Facility provides insurance for those who cannot obtain insurance family. Her parents, Tom and Gwen Beattie, had recently
coverage elsewhere. When its losses were bigger than its premiums sold their Greensboro-based Business Insurers firm but still worked
and it faced huge debt, it wanted to impose a 15.5 percent fee for any there, so he went to work for them.
auto liability policy sold in North Carolina. In effect, responsible
carriers with safe driving records were heavily subsidizing carriers “Soon as I got ataste for the insurance industry, especially with
with poor records. trucking, it just clicked,” he said.“Truckingchanges constantly,and
as a result so does insurance.You’ve got to keep up with the times.
The NCTA representatives made the case to Facility officials, state It’s definitely fast-paced, it’s definitely stressful, and if you’llletit,
legislators and the Department of Insurance that the system should it’lleat you up from the truckingstandpoint.It’s one of the biggest
be fair and equitable. Kelly said one of the arguments they made costs they face, and I really enjoy advocatingfor truckers andgetting
was that perhaps some of those companies served by the Facility them the best rates they can.It’s just ended up beinga wonderful
shouldn’t be in business. At the least, their insurance rates shouldn’t career choice.”
be cheaper than those paid by companies outside the Facility.
Kelly said he uses the same skills now that he prepared to use while
“Some of those arguments are much more effective in person when learning to be an English teacher.
you have an association like North Carolina Trucking Association,”
Kelly said. “Your power in numbers representing not just truckers “Trying to frame accounts and give insurance carrier partners the
but all sorts of allied interests and other professions going out there best perspective of a trucking company is a lot like putting together
together really made a big difference. an essay or a narrative where you really use a lot of your analytical
skills and writing skills to convince a lot of these carriers that this is a
“So, what once was 15 percent got knocked down to a seven-and-a- good risk and why,” he said.
half and then further down to a 2. It’s gone up a little bit, but it looks
like it’s going to get back down to that 1 percent range in the fall again. “It’s come in handy more times than not in trying to prove a point.
So, keeping their feet to the fire has been really important for me and You go in and break things down like you would for a paper. Getting
I know a lot of other people in the association as well.” to know a trucking company is a lot like digging into … a big book
and breaking it down and finding the key components to use to best
Sam Faucette, NCTA’s interim-president said of Kelly, “Sean represent those folks.”
provides a vital service to the trucking industry and is an asset
to the NCTA. His expertise in risk management helps guide our Kelly left the company he was working for in February and joined a
efforts concerning regulatory reform, legislative initiatives and startup, Pilot Risk Management Consulting, as head of trucking and
product affordability.” transportation. It was a risk, of course, but Sarah was supportive, and
he had customers who wanted to work with him.
Keith Barnes, the third-generation owner of Barnes
Transportation Service, praised Kelly for his work. He noted The trucking insurance market is challenging. Rates are increasing.
how much time Kelly is spending with the association, The number of insurance carriers willing to write auto liability and
excess trucking policies has been shrinking, largely as a result of huge

14 TARHEEL WHEELS

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Kelly with his wife, children and Hopper mascot, Guilford, Kelly and his wife at NCTA's Casino Night
at a recent Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game

jury verdicts following truck-involved accidents. Insurance cost/ “I REALLY ENJOY ADVOCATING FOR
availability ranked ninth in the most recent American Transportation TRUCKERS AND GETTING THEM THE BEST
Research Institute’s “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry” survey.
RATES THEY CAN. IT’S JUST ENDED UP
Kelly said trucking companies have been seeing some relief in the BEING A WONDERFUL CAREER CHOICE.”
excess insurance space, but he doesn’t see a return to the per
power unit pricing that existed in the early 2000s and the 2010 —SEAN KELLY, PILOT RISK
time period. MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

However,Kellysaid hisfirmhashelped motorcarriersfind happens organically, great, but we’ve gotten a lot more than
insurancealternativesand helpsthemestablishbettersafety just business out of the association.”
infrastructuresand cultures. Inturn,thishelpsthecarriersmaintain
competitive pricing. The NCTA’s annual Call on Washington has been particularly
rewarding and fun for the northern Virginia native who spent his first
Kelly’s parents-in-law had encouraged him to get involved with 22 years living 30 minutes from the nation’s capital. He and Sarah
associations in his field. At first, he was involved with a dump have twin eight-year-olds, son Declan and daughter Emerson. He
truck association that disbanded when it wasn’t clear members loves taking his family to D.C. to visit the Smithsonian Museums and
were getting a return on their investment, so he shifted all of his other attractions. Family members enjoy seeing the history of other
time to NCTA. In addition to the Executive Committee, which he cities they’ve visited for NCTA activities.
recently joined, and Allied Committee, which he chairs, he’s also
involved with the Legislative Committee and Conference Planning Family members also enjoy taking multiple-day backpacking trips
Committee. He estimates he is involved in two meetings per week on the Appalachian Trail. He and Sarah are involved in community
and spends two to four hours weekly with the association. organizations. They play adult co-ed softball, while he is assistant
head coach for his son’s baseball team and third base coach for his
Kelly said his NCTA involvement has helped him get business, of daughter’s softball team.
course, but its benefits also include the knowledge he gains and the
relationships it creates. He wants Allied members to receive a return “We are on a diamond in season five nights a week,” he said with
on their investment, but he also says they shouldn’t look at their a laugh.
involvement in purely transactional terms.
Kelly pointed out that his wife’s support extended beyond him
“When I have a conversation with [NCTA members], they’re joining Pilot Risk Management Consulting. She also helped
not expecting me to sell them an insurance policy by the spearhead an NCTA spouses’ committee.
end of the call or the visit or lunch,” he said. “So, I think that
opens things up as far as them to be a lot more honest with “They do spouses’ events to really round out getting the entire family
you for their needs in general. If they’ve got a third-generation involved in the North Carolina Association,” he said. “That’s been
insurance agency that they’ve worked with, and it’s not important to her. I’m really proud of her, seeing her do that work. …
going anywhere, that’s cool. I’ll still give you my best advice I’ve got to brag on her for doing all that on top of all the other stuff she
because you’re my friend. I’ve made some wonderful friends does at the house to support me.”
through the association, and I don’t write a large portion of
their business, and that honestly doesn’t matter to me. If that

ISSUE 2 2022 15

FEATURE

FACING THE ‘REPTILE’ IN THE COURTROOM

BY DANIEL SIEGAL
GUEST WRITER

Over nearly a operative,” about
decade, a “reptile” what “persuasive
has slithered into philosophy” he
tort cases across used to help win
the country, elections. Keenan
accompanying the had worked with
much-discussed Ball before, and
plaintiffs-side the two embarked
strategy that on a yearslong
defense attorneys series of focus
say cold-bloodedly groups and similar
manipulates jurors testing around the
with fear to land country, before
outsize verdicts realizing they
— but whose had discovered
creators say it’s an incredibly
not aiming to scare effective approach,
anyone but the Ball said. As
defense bar. The for finding out
Reptile arose in what the Reptile
the book “Reptile: actually is, if you’re
The 2009 Manual not a member of
of the Plaintiff’s the plaintiffs bar,
Revolution” by it’s not as easy as
attorney Don heading to the
Keenan of The local bookstore.
Keenan Law Firm Potential
and jury consultant David Ball of Malekpour & Ball, which customers on the official Reptile website are asked for their
promises to show attorneys how to reach their jurors’ “reptilian law firm name and their bar number, what percentage of
brain” and land large verdicts whenever dangerous conduct their firm’s work is on the plaintiffs side, and whether they’ve
is alleged. Its creators say the litigation strategy has landed already attended a Reptile introductory seminar. And the few
over $8 billion in settlements and verdicts for plaintiffs over secondhand copies available online are marked up by hundreds
the past nine years, and it has been seen by both plaintiffs and of dollars. When asked to describe the meat of their methods,
defense attorneys as pushing a wave of high-dollar verdicts in neither Ball nor Keenan are giving out many details, preferring
traditionally low-value personal injury and other tort cases. to emphasize that their method works and comports with
Here, the attorneys and consultants who came up with the both the letter and spirit of the law. And both vehemently deny
Reptile, and their opposition from the defense, discuss what that their method is based on scaring juries into given out
the method is, and how it works. Where Did the Reptile Come panic-inflated verdicts. “The people that do not understand
From? Keenan and Ball, aided by research from fellow plaintiffs the Reptile, that do not want the Reptile to be used, they have
attorneys Gary C. Johnson and James E. FitzGerald, released to demonize. They want to tell the judge, ‘All they want to do is
the book, which retails for $95 on their website, in 2009. The scare the jury,’” Keenan said. Ball said that “a scared jury is no
website promises plaintiffs attorneys, and plaintiffs attorneys help at all” to a plaintiff — they won’t respond actively, which
only, that the book will make the impact of tort reforms on is what the plaintiff wants. “It’s not news a dangerous doctor, a
juries negligible, using “the jurors’ most primitive instincts dangerous dog is dangerous,” he said. “What the Reptile does
of safety and self-preservation.” Keenan said the idea for the is it gives [ jurors] the opportunity to make themselves safer.”
book originated when he was staying at his beach house in On Ball’s website, however, he touts the value of getting “right
Florida talking to his neighbor, “a very high-end Republican to the reptilian brain,” saying that when a juror believes they

16 TARHEEL WHEELS

FEATURE

are making a decision ones saying, in a civil
that will impact their case, that the safety
very own security lies in helping our
and safety, “the client, safety lies with
reptilian brain takes giving us a verdict,
over and the reptile and it’s true.” Keenan
never loses.” Bill added that another
Kanasky Jr., vice key for the Reptile is
president at litigation that by focusing on
psychology consultant the defense, it takes
Courtroom Sciences the pressure off of
Inc. and a specialist in plaintiffs attorneys
opposing the Reptile, to feel their client
said no matter the has to be perfect,
Reptile’s origins, and instead can still
there is no doubt that work while admitting
it made an impact that a plaintiff
when it arrived on might be partially
the scene. “They had at fault. “If you have
hit on many large a bad fact in your
verdicts in cases where nobody expected a large verdict, so there case don’t try to cover it up, gaslight it,” he said. “All of our
was some panic in the insurance defense world and corporate clients have pre-existing injuries, don’t run from that ... so
America,” he said. Kanasky, who spoke to Law360 with attorney do our juries.” Moffett and Kanasky, however, said the real
Matthew Moffett of Gray Rust St. Amand Moffett & Brieske key to the Reptile was the rise of young people in so-called
LLP, his partner in a series of talks focused on defeating the
Reptile, said that while the Reptile may not be snake oil, it also Generations X and Y, who started to fill jury boxes after the
isn’t what Keenan and Ball say it is. Kanasky said the Reptile at turn of the millennium and proved unreceptive to plaintiffs
its heart is a batch of aggressive and clever trial tactics wrapped attorneys’ earlier tactic of seeking sympathy for their injured
in a “very sexy neuroscientific sales pitch” that doesn’t hold up client. “These two pools of people have zero sympathy for
to closer scrutiny. In a 2014 article for a journal published by
DRI, formerly the Defense Research Institute, Kanasky argued everyone,” Kanasky said. “They figured out how to connect to
that Keenan and Ball have their terminology wrong, anyway, the Gen X and Gen Y juror.” Moffett said that Keenan and Ball
as fear responses in humans don’t actually arise in the realized that instead of seeking sympathy for a hurt plaintiff,
“reptile brain.” attorneys could aggressively attack defendants as facilitating

Moffett noted the book itself is focused much more on or engaging in dangerous conduct — and the standard defense
the tactics themselves than the purported scientific basis tactic of denying any wrongdoing and attacking the plaintiff’s
that underlies them. “Call it clever marketing or a clever proof would seem evasive in this context. “The old way of
defending a case, which was, 'We don’t have to prove we didn’t
catchphrase, it sounds intriguing and engaging, but when you
read ‘Reptile,’ they spend two pages out of the entire book on do anything wrong, they have the burden of proof, we’ll just
the science,” he said. “And there’s no peer-reviewed articles
cited.” How the Reptile Works Ball said that the defense has sit back and say at the end of the case they didn’t prove it,' that
consistently misinterpreted what the Reptile actually is, doesn’t work for the defendant anymore,” he said. Moffett
and Kanasky noted that the Reptile method starts long before
because he and Keenan have kept their true methods close to trial, especially in depositions, when plaintiffs attorneys are
the vest. “A defense attorney can’t go, a defense trial consultant encouraged to get defense witnesses to agree that nonspecific
can’t go to the seminars, and 95 percent of what we do is in the “safety rules” are important — and then use this admission as
seminars,” he said. Ball said that even if the defense bar were
to figure out the true nature of the Reptile, it wouldn’t help a cudgel at trial as witnesses explain any unsafe conditions or
them stop it, because it reliably gets jurors to feel that a hefty behavior at play in the underlying incident. Kanasky added that
verdict will make them and their community safer. “Even if one advantage Reptile-using attorneys have is their willingness
they knew every detail of it, there’s nothing much they can to spend money to prepare in the early phases of a case, which
do about it, because they are there protecting people who did their opponents can be reluctant to match. “One thing I will
dangerous things, who hurt people,” he said. “We are the only
hand to these Reptile folks, they’ve done their homework,”
he said. “They do mock trials, they do focus groups, knowing
most defense and insurance companies won’t do the same.”
The Reptile Farm While attorneys might debate the details

ISSUE 2 2022 17

FEATURE

of the Reptile, there’s no debating that Ball and Keenan met a working, said that the plaintiff’s attorney’s exhortation to the
willing audience. The original 2009 book sold like hotcakes, jury during closing arguments that it was “acting to keep the
according to Ball, and he and Keenan turned the book into a community safe” was improper. However, it found the remarks
cottage industry that encompasses live and online seminars were too brief to be prejudicial. Defense attorneys can’t always
that cost from $450 to $800, according to their website. count on trial courts to stop plaintiffs attorneys from using the
Keenan said he has expanded his Reptile teachings into multi- reptile methodology, however, and Moffett said that the biggest
day trial workshops and a booming book of co-counsel and key in defending the Reptile is going on the attack rather than
consulting arrangements in his practice, where he takes on trying to counterpunch.
cases and teaches the primary attorneys to apply the Reptile
to that specific case. Keenan noted that now that he’s offering “Today’s jury sits there and they want to know why this side
trial workshops where attorneys are focusing on their own should win and they want to know why this side should win,”
specific cases, those attorneys can charge those fees — up to Moffett said. “Defense attorneys have to try their case ... they
$1,200 — to their clients. Keenan said that Reptile Keenan Ball have to explain why they should win.” Moffett added that by
is a nonprofit, however, and that while it is intended to make being aggressive not just at trial but well before trial, with mock
money, all of the profits go back into building up the method, trials, focus groups and specific witness training, a defendant
including keeping a full-time lawyer on staff for research. can get to settlement discussions with enough leverage to avoid
“We’ve got us one hellacious overhead,” he said. “Have we
made a profit, in several of those years, probably yes.” Handling going to trial and risking a huge verdict. Kanasky noted that the
the Reptile In the meantime, many defense bar lawyers and Reptile works by framing a case for a jury in such a way that they
consultants such as Moffett and Kanasky have taken on the associate the defendant with dangerous conduct, and that an
task of offering an antidote to the reptile. Moffett said that active response is needed to reframe the trial in a context that
attorneys relying heavily on the reptile have on occasion works for the defendant. “You don’t defend the case by being
found themselves in “a little hot water” with the courts for defensive, you defend the case by attacking,” he said. “You have
their tactics, pointing to the 2016 California Court of Appeal to try the case on a brand new battleground instead of picking
case Regalado v. Callaghan. In that ruling the appellate court, up the ball where they left off.”
while affirming a landscaping employee’s $3 million jury trial
win against the owner of a home where he was injured while Reprinted with permission. Story by Daniel Siegel. Editing
by Brian Baresch and Breda Lund. All Content © 2003-2018,
Portfolio Media, Inc.

18 TARHEEL WHEELS

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COVER STORY

20 TARHEEL WHEELS

FAITH, MENTORS
& FAMILY: SUCCESS

TAKES A TEAM

SOUTHLAND TRANSPORTATION’S PRESIDENT
JASON SMITH SHARES THE COMPANY’S WONDERFUL

HISTORY AND LESSONS LEARNED

BY ERIC J. FRANCIS
GUEST WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL GRAY

The first thing North Carolina Trucking Association Chairman those around you who made it possible for you to succeed. And it’s
Jason Smith wants people to know is that this story is not, must a philosophy he believes is held up by the North Carolina Trucking
not, be about him and him alone. Association.

“I cannot take credit for anything without acknowledging that my “I know the association has made me better at my job,” he said.
career was made possible by the generosity and mentoring of R.J. “Just through the networking, getting to hear other people’s ideas
Cummings,” said Smith. “He passed away in 2019 but he literally and what’s going on, it has made me better at what I do. And I feel
taught me everything I know about the business. I don’t know how like there are not enough trucking companies in North Carolina
to give him enough credit and show his family how thankful I am taking advantage of the benefits of this association.”
for their trust in me to continue to run this business.”
“The information is there, the knowledge is there, the help is
That business, of course, being Southland Transportation. It was there,” said Smith. “We’re all competitors but we can still be
founded by Cummings, who hired Smith, who then eventually friends, and I firmly believe that. I would love to help other
succeeded Cummings as the company’s president. And while companies get better the same way I have had the opportunity to
Smith has grown the company under his own leadership, he insists get better by listening to my mentors in the industry.”
that he cannot claim credit for the work that had already gone into
establishing it and making it succeed. Smith’s relationship with Cummings extends back before the
founding of Southland in 1988. Their families have a friendship
That’s a keystone of Smith’s character: Acknowledging the work of that extends back more than 50 years.

ISSUE 2 2022 21

COVER STORY

“I grew up working in tobacco, corn, and cattle with my dad, mom, “PICK UP THE LOAD. DELIVER THE LOAD.
and two older brothers,” said Smith. “I went to church with and WHAT’S SO HARD ABOUT THAT?”
grew up alongside the Cummings family children, and R.J. knew
my family’s work ethic.” entered fuel tax mileage and gallons to calculate fuel tax, and
worked weekend dispatch.”
That ethic meant being in the fields early to start working when
the sun rose, and often not finishing until after it had set. Getting This was supposed to be a temporary gig; he was studying at
the job done and getting it done right were hallmarks of how his Appalachian State University to be a high school biology teacher.
parents, Robert and Diann, raised him and his brothers Sam But after he graduated in 1996, Cummings asked him to come
and Rodney. on board full-time, just for a year, to see what he thought of
the business.
So it’s unsurprising that, some 30 years ago, when Cummings was
looking for some help at Southland he turned toward the Smith “He said if I didn’t like it, I could start teaching the next year,” said
family to find the right person for the job. Smith. “I agreed, and 26 years later I couldn’t be happier with my
decision to stay.”
No, not Jason – his mom, Diann.
Of course, he had a lot to learn. He started out in brokerage and
“As my brothers went to college and moved out of the house, my during his first few weeks got a call from a driver in Florida with
mom and dad decided to stop raising tobacco and corn,” he said. some shocking news.
“My mom began working outside the home and in 1993 she started
working for Southland.” “I’m going to be late, I ran over a gator and blew a tire,” the driver
told him.
It would be another year before the youngest Smith joined the
trucking company, right after he’d been laid off from his part-time “I said, ‘OK, let me know when you’re fixed and rolling again,’” said
job at a textile mill. Smith. “When I got off the phone I told the guy sitting next to me,

“I was in college and needed a job,” he said. “R.J. hired me to work
weekends during the summer. I entered work orders for the shop,

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‘Wow, that guy hit an alligator.’” sales,” said Smith. “Everything
that happens has to be entered
And thus did he learn what truckers in the computer system or we
call the tread from a blown tire. don’t get paid, our employees
Everyone got a kick out of it, don’t get paid, and we are no
naturally. And a little good-natured longer in business.”
ribbing didn’t turn the new kid off
of the industry. By 2015, Cummings had made
Smith a vice president and
His job responsibilities changed sold him part of the company,
a lot in those early years, and and two years later Cummings
included a lot of travel. After a year went into semi-retirement. He
of brokerage he began dispatching, retained the titles of CEO and
and then he moved into outside chairman, but Smith was made
sales. In July 1999, Southland adopted new TMS and accounting president and took on the day-to-day operations and the company
software and Cummings asked him to lead IT and the accounting continued to grow under his leadership. Today it has about 185
side of the company. trucks and 575 trailers.

“At that time I thought I knew a little about trucking, but I didn’t’ Naturally, there have been hurdles. Keeping enough drivers in
know anything about IT or accounting,” he said. “I hit the job seats was a challenge even before COVID reared its ugly viral head.
head-on because R.J. wanted it to go live October 1. We hit the By the end of 2019, the company was struggling to find drivers for
deadline, but I didn’t see my family much during those months. the first time in its history, where in the past they’d had waiting
Every day we started at 8 a.m. and finished at 10 p.m. lists of people who wanted to get behind the wheel. So Smith tried
a new tactic.
“That was one of the hardest stretches of my career, but I look
back on it and realize that’s when I really started to pull all of the “In January 2020 we hired a recruiter,” he said, “one person whose
pieces together that I had learned from brokerage, dispatch, and

A LOAD ON OUR TRUCK IS
A LOAD OFF YOUR MIND.

Along with providing a diversity of programs and types of freight one of the most
important things we do as a business is treat you as a person and not a number.
We have an open door policy where you can speak to a driver manager, planner,
director of operations, and even the owners at any time. We are all family and we

understand that the only way Barnes is successful is if you are successful!

We are here to provide guidance in whatever program you choose
and provide the tools to take you where you want to go.

Four generations.
Eighty years in operation.

2309 Whitley Road | Wilson, NC 27895 252-291-8282 | 800-898-5897 | barnestransport.com

ISSUE 2 2022 23

COVER STORY

sole focus was to recruit their table,” said Smith.
drivers. Since then, we’ve “I’ve tried to continue that.
increased this to a recruiting We’re just pushing every
director and two full time day to try and be a better
driver recruiters. company and provide
for families.”
“If we had not had that one
quarter of slump in 2019,” Ryan Chambers of
said Smith, “we would not Chambers Transportation
have been prepared for the and fellow NCTA board
pandemic when so many member and contemporary
drivers exited the workforce. of Smith’s has something
We were able to stay steady to say when it comes to
and fill our trucks. And I Smith caring about his
can’t take full credit for that team. “Jason Smith is a true
– everything came together leader in the industry. He
at the right time for us, considering the pandemic was about to hit. is a genuinely nice person who cares for the people he leads.” He
It was just good timing.” adds that, “He is passionate about the association and wants to
continue pushing us forward through growth and added value to
Since Smith took over running Southland, it has grown from 160 our members.”
employees to just over 300. His goal for all of those employees, he
said, is the same as his mentor’s. Family is critical to Smith and he is quick to give equal credit
for his success to his wife, Marcia. His job took him away from
“One of R.J.’s biggest missions in life was to provide his home for long stretches and she was the bedrock of their
employees a good home, a car for people to drive, and food on

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24 TARHEEL WHEELS

household, raising their two kids and helping guide him on ONE OF R.J. CUMMINGS’ FAVORITE
virtually every business decision he made. SAYINGS AS TOLD BY JASON SMITH

“She is my closest friend and one of the smartest people I have “THE BIGGEST VALUE … IN THE
ever met,” he said. “If anything needs to be decided at Southland, NCTA … IS THAT THEY PROVIDE A
Marcia is usually on the front end of that decision making.” FORUM FOR TRUCKING LEADERS AND
MANAGERS TO SHARE IDEAS AND HEAR
The two were high school sweethearts who started dating when FROM EXPERTS ON INDUSTRY TOPICS.
he was 15. WE ARE COMPETITORS, BUT WE ARE
ALL FRIENDS AS WELL. WE HAVE
“She already had her license and picked me up for our first date,” A DEEP RESPECT FOR WHAT EACH
said Smith. “She was driving a 1982 Datsun pickup, her father’s.” OTHER DOES ON A DAILY BASIS AND IT
Then he added with a grin, “And just to show you how badass she IS GOOD TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE
really was, it was a five-speed.” IN THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE.”

She was also raised on a farm and has a very commonsense —JASON SMITH, PRESIDENT,
approach to life, he said: “She never gets rattled by any problem. SOUTHLAND TRANSPORTATION
I can’t thank her enough for the sacrifices she made to help me
advance my career. I absolutely would not be where I am today University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with plans to use
without her never-ending support.” her degree within the business industry.

Marcia is currently a teacher and curriculum coach for Surry
County Schools. Their son Elliot is an electrician, a hands-on
type who can fix anything and loves seeing a job through to the
finish, in the finest Smith family tradition. Daughter Mamie
is majoring in environmental studies and sustainability at the

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ISSUE 2 2022 25

COVER STORY

Smith’s father Robert is 79 now, still active in church and the
cattle business. His mother Diann died in May of this year after
battling ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Along with his faith in God
and the mentoring of R.J. Cummings, his family remains the most
important influence in his life.

“My work ethic comes from my parents – they are the hardest-
working people I’ve ever met,” he said. “And it was my mom’s
connection to Southland that got me started here.”

With his term of chairman getting underway, Smith said he’ll be
focusing on membership and education, which he feels go hand
in glove. Of course, the first order of business is bringing a new
NCTA president on board, and by the time Smith’s term began,

Mobile Spindle Replacement Specialists the search committee had already narrowed the field down to a
handful of candidates.
(800) 259-6622
“I know there’s been an extreme amount of interest and activity,”
Gary Sensing P.O. Box 235 said Smith.
Scott Sensing Thomasville, NC 27361
Steve Sensing Other issues he anticipates dealing with over the coming year
Greg Marvin FAX (336) 475-4868 include the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility, which he calls the
[email protected] source of “unfair problems” for the state’s trucking industry.

“North Carolina requires that basically anyone who wants
insurance, gets insurance,” he said. “And in the commercial
trucking industries, there are companies whose safety records
prevent them from getting insurance on their own, so they have to
apply to the Reinsurance Facility.”

But since the Reinsurance Facility, as a government entity, isn’t
allowed to lose money and has no control over its own rates
(which are set by the legislature), the outcome is that any losses it
takes are then divided among companies buying commercial auto
liability insurance in the form of surcharge premiums. And those
aren’t small losses – they have exceeded $100 million to be divided
amongst North Carolina’s trucking industry as well as other
commercial entities.

“We’re basically being forced to pay a tax in order to cover
insurance for companies with a poor safety record,” said Smith.
“That’s something we have been working on now with the
Reinsurance Facility for a year and a half and we don’t seem to be
getting anywhere. We’re working to get the law changed, because
the Reinsurance Facility’s hands are tied just because they work at
the mercy of the legislative branch.”

And since the legislature would have to find another way to
pick up those losses, which nobody else in state government
is volunteering to do, “it’s a big mountain to move,” he

26 TARHEEL WHEELS

“[R.J.] SAID IF I DIDN’T LIKE IT [TRUCKING], I competitors, but we are all friends as well. We have a deep respect
COULD START TEACHING THE NEXT YEAR. I for what each other does on a daily basis and it is good to know
AGREED, AND 26 YEARS LATER I COULDN’T you’re not alone in the challenges you face.”
BE HAPPIER WITH MY DECISION TO STAY.”
In short, he wants everyone else to have the chance to meet their
—JASON SMITH, PRESIDENT, own R.J. Cummings and benefit from the wisdom they have
SOUTHLAND TRANSPORTATION to share.

acknowledged. But the incentive to find a solution is a powerful “RJbelieved thatsometimeswe need to slow down and break things
one for the association. downto thesimplestform,” Smith recalled.“One of his favorite
sayingswas,‘Pickuptheload.Deliver the load.What’s so hardabout
“It’s a real issue for companies. I know for Southland, it’s that?’ Itseemssometimeswe get lost in the details,regulations,and
sometimes $60,000 a year or more that we’re paying,” said Smith. stuffthatgoesalongwithtrucking.In the end,the customer just
wantstheirfreightpicked upand delivered.Period.”
Other priorities include member events such as the annual
conference, and the safety council meetings coming up in October. Your “One-Stop-Shop”
Smith is extremely pleased that the association has already started for all your semi-trailer needs.
a conference for women in trucking, an initiative he sees as critical New and used semi-trailer sales,
in the face of ongoing driver shortages. service, parts with six convenient

“The trucking industry, historically, has not been a very diverse locations to serve you.
bunch, and anything we can do to add diversity into this industry I
will support 100 percent,” he said. Raleigh, NC Statesville, NC Mt. Airy, NC 1-800-662-7026
Columbia, SC Ashland, VA Roanoke, VA www.crtsinc.com
He has the confidence of one of the prominent women in North
Carolina’s trucking industry. Lora Dedmon, president of Dedmon • ROADSIDE SERVICE, TIRES
Trucking, describes Smith as “genuine” and says the association is • TOWING & RECOVERY
in good hands with him. • TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR
• FABRICATION, DRIVESHAFTS
“He’s a great leader, and an even better person,” said Dedmon. • TRANSPORT & STORAGE
“He and his family are people you enjoy being around. His
leadership and experience will keep the association working in the 800-869-8973 24/7
right direction.”

Another goal of Smith’s for his term is to secure a grant for the
NCTA Foundation to purchase a workforce development trailer
that can go around to high schools and community colleges
to promote the industry as a whole to a new generation of
prospective employees.

“We’re not just looking for truck drivers,” he noted, “we’re
looking for mechanics, office workers, accountants, supply
chain managers, logistics. I think sometimes the industry gets
stereotyped into truck drivers only. They are the most important
part, hands down, but there are so many other careers in trucking
that I don’t think most people see or understand how good the
trucking industry is.”

Since getting involved in the NCTA in 2014, Smith said his
experiences have reinforced one of his favorite sayings: “You don’t
know what you don’t know.” He’s learned so much through his
involvement that he wants to ensure everyone else in the industry
in North Carolina gets the same opportunity.

“If I had to say what the biggest value is in the NCTA, it is that
they provide a forum for trucking leaders and managers to share
ideas and hear from experts on industry topics,” he said. “We are

ISSUE 2 2022 27

NCTA ANNUAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
JULY 24-27, 2022, ASHEVILLE, NC

28 TARHEEL WHEELS

NCTA 2022 CLAY SHOOT

ISSUE 2 2022 29

2022 NORTH CAROLINA TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

NCTA's 2022 TDC ANDTOP TECHEVENTWASHELD IN
RALEIGH IN JUNE.CONGRATULATIONSTOALLWINNERS!

GRAND CHAMPION
Brian Walker, TForce Freight
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Russell Grubbs, Walmart Transportation

EVENT WINNERS
Written Exam: David Rohman, FedEx
Pre-Trip Inspection: Basher Pierce III. FedEx
Course: Brian Walker, TForce Freight

Congratulationstothe North CarolinaTDCTeamforwinning theNationalTDC
StateTeamAwardat the NationalTruckDrivingChampionships inIndianapolis, IN

Team NC are Michael Bills, FedEx; Brian Walker, T-Force; David Rohman, FedEx; Basher Pierce, FedEx; Dan Harp, Walmart; Allen
McNeely, ABF; James Luckadoo, T-Force; Charles Lackey, FedEx; Antoine Sadler CDT, Walmart.

30 TARHEEL WHEELS

2022 NORTH CAROLINA TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

TDC WINNERS 3-AXLE
BY CLASS
1st Place: Brian Walker, TForce Freight
2nd Place: Tyson Jerald, XPO Logistics, Inc.
3rd Place: Marvin McLean, ABF Freight System, Inc.

4-AXLE

1st Place: David Rohman, FedEx
2nd Place: Thomas Mcarn, TForce Freight
3rd Place: Timothy Whitley, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

5-AXLE

1st Place: Basher Pierce III, FedEx
2nd Place: Russell Grubbs, Walmart Transportation (Rookie)

3rd Place: Jeffery Sherron, TForce Freight

FLATBED

1st Place: Daniel Harp, Walmart Transportation
2nd Place: Ricky Boone, Southeastern Freight Lines
3rd Place: Gregory Herron, Red Classic Transit, LLC

SLEEPER BERTH

1st Place: Antoine Sadler, Walmart Transportation
2nd Place: Lawrence Burgess, Walmart Transportation (Rookie)
3rd Place: Shane Fernando, Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. (Rookie)

STRAIGHT TRUCK

1st Place: Michael Bills, FedEx
2nd Place: John Cecil, FedEx
3rd Place: Nico Barham, Smithfield Hog Production

TANKER TRUCK

1st Place: Allen McNeely, ABF Freight System, Inc.
2nd Place: Alan Cross, Walmart Transportation (Rookie)

3rd Place: Harold Leonard, FedEx

TWINS

1st Place: James Luckadoo, TForce Freight
2nd Place: Harold Snyder, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

3rd Place: Bryan Kincaid, FedEx

STEPVAN

1st Place: Augustus Kern, FedEx
2nd Place: Charles Lackey, FedEx
3rd Place: William McGowan, FedEx (Rookie)

ISSUE 2 2022 31

TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS & TOP TECH COMPETITION

North Caroline State Highway Patrol

GRAND CHAMPION: Brian Walker, TForce Freight PRE TRIP WINNER: Basher Pierce III, FedEx

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNER: SLEEPER BERTH 1st PLACE: Antoine Sadler, Walmart Transportation
Russell Grubbs, Walmart Transportation
32 TARHEEL WHEELS

TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS & TOP TECH COMPETITION

WRITTEN TEST WINNER: David Rohman, FedEx TOP TECH TEAM CHAMPION: 1st Place: Brian Peters, Salem
Leasing; 2nd Place: Bobby Key, Best Logistics Group; 3rd
Place: Brett Nicholson, Cargo Transporters

SLEEPER BERTH CLASS WINNERS: 1st Place: Antoine Sadler, Walmart Transportation; 2nd Place: Lawrence Burgess, Walmart
Transportation; and 3rd Place: Shane Fernando, Unifi Manufacturing, Inc.

THANK YOU TOP TECH CHAIR, BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, THE FORSYTH TECH TEAM: 1ST PLACE STUDENT: ZACHARY
YARBOROUGH TRANSFER COMPANY MILLER; 2ND PLACE STUDENT: COLE PLASTER; 3RD PLACE
STUDENT: MARIO KJUKA

ISSUE 2 2022 33

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

NEW MEMBERS

CARRIER Freightworkds Transsportation & Logistics
J T Russell & Sons, Inc.
Adams Beverages of North Carolina, LLC J.L. Rothrock
AMX Leasing & Logistics Jeflyfe Trucking
Atlantic Coast Hauling, LLC MCO Transport, Inc.
Beacon Building Products Nationwide Transport and Recovery LLC
Believers Trucking LLC RMT Logistics LLC
Cardinal Logistics Management Corporation TForce Freight
Carmax Thunder Pony Express
Carrigan & Sons Trucking, Inc. Transport Tacticians LLC
Custom Ecology, Inc. XPO Logistics, Inc.
Day & Ross
Duke Energy Business Services LLC

ALLIED

7-Eleven, 7 FLEET Diesel Network M&P Specialty Insurance

Admark Graphics McCarthy Tire Service

Alliance Interstate Risk Service Mobile DOT Physicals

Allison Transmission Nelson Brokerage LLC

Andrews Insurance Agency North East Risk Management LLC

Barnhill Contracting Company Opkalla

Connixt Palomar Hart Group

Crossroads Equipment Finance Piedmont Natural Gas

Custard Insurance Adjusters, Inc. Pilot Risk Management Consulting

First Med Alert Platinum Specialty Underwriters

Geological Resources, Inc. Roadmaster Driver School

Geotab SAF-Holland Inc.

Goods Insurance Agency Setliff Law PC

Griffin Insurance/Leavitt Group Targit

HDVI The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co,

John Hackney Agency, LLC NCTATransharp Solutions, LLC
KeepTruckin Transport Clearing East, Inc.

Linxup WELCOMES
NEW
MEMBERS

34 TARHEEL WHEELS

AN INSIDE LOOK

PREPASS

Integrate PrePass Weigh Station Bypass with Your THERMO KING OF THE CAROLINAS
Trucking Technology
As a BlueTrack by Thermo King dealer, we’re dedicated to
Motor carriers and truck drivers perform in an extraordinarily delivering extraordinary service to keep you on the road. We’ve
complex environment. Fortunately, trucking telematics and made the commitment and investment to make sure better, faster,
navigation providers have onboard platforms to ease this and more proactive service drives uptime for you – our customers.
complexity. Weigh station bypass also helps, allowing safe, Service that excels will keep your fleets up and running and your
qualified motor carriers to skip the scales and inspections, saving drivers on the road.
significant time, fuel, and money.
What BlueTrack by Thermo King means for you: As a world-class
However, the more devices and screens a truck driver must keep dealer, we’ve taken extra measures to ensure we’re here for you
an eye on, the less time those same eyes are watching the road when you need us. Whether its extended hours, transparent
ahead. That’s why PrePass partners with leading telematics and communications, express service, or customer experience, we
navigation service providers to integrate the PrePass weigh station have you covered. As a BlueTrack by Thermo King dealer, we’re
bypass application into one device. committed to exceptional service 100% of the time.

Now trucking companies who choose these solutions from
Garmin, Geotab, Omnitracs, or Pedigree Technologies can also
receive PrePass on-screen notifications of upcoming weigh
stations and bypass decisions. One device, one screen.

Learn more about integrating PrePass with your trucking
technology by visiting PrePass.com/partners.

AN INSIDE LOOK DIGITAL MAGAZINE
NOW AVAILABLE
Take control of your
corporate message and
participate in this advertiser-
exclusive editorial section
where you get to write your

own earned media.

Just send us 200 words of text You may view Tarheel Wheels — complete with sound
on the topic of your choice, plus effects — online with a week of distribution.
an image (or your logo) and we'll
design it for you. Another awesome feature of this great new technology
is that websites in the digital magazine are "live". So,
For more details, contact Jennifer at viewers may click on a site featuring an ad and be
[email protected] transported directly to an advertiser's website.

Check it out:
www.nctrucking.com
This is just one more service that we're happy to offer
on behalf of our fabulous advertisers!

ISSUE 2 2022 35

CALENDAR ADVERTISING
RESOURCE INDEX
NCTA WOMEN IN
TRUCKING SUMMIT American Trucking Associations 19

Resiliency Barnes Transportation 23

ACCELERATING Battleground Towing BACK COVER
SUCCESS
NOVEMBER 3-4, 2022 Carolina Axel Surgeons 26
RALEIGH, NC
CRTS/Utility Trailer 27
For more information on how to register,
reserve an expo booth and/or become Dozier Tank & Welding 10
a sponsor, please call (919) 834-0387 or
visit www.nctrucking.com Excel Truck Group 4

NCTA 2022 Fred’s Towing 12
ANNUAL COUNCILS
CONFERENCE & EXPO G & S Road Service 22

“NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL” Great West Casualty Corp. INSIDE BACK
COVER
OCTOBER 13-15, 2022
Innovative Driver Services 26
HARRAH'S CHEROKEE
RESORT & CASINO Kirk’s Sineath Towing BACK COVER
CHEROKEE, NC
Mangum’s Inc. 27
For more information on how to register, reserve
an expo booth and/or become a sponsor, please MHC Kenworth INSIDE FRONT COVER
call (919) 834-0387 or visit www.nctrucking.com
People’s United Equipment Finance 11
36 TARHEEL WHEELS
PrePass Safety Alliance 25

Southern Tire Mart 3

Tarheel Wheels 35

Thermo King of the Carolinas 13

Trimble Transportation 9

This publication was made possible
with the support of these corporate
advertisers. They support the trucking
industry by enabling NCTA to provide
this publication to its members,
prospective members, elected officials
and the business community at large.
They deserve your consideration and
patronage when making your corporate
purchasing decisions. Please visit www.
nctrucking.com to see the digital version
of Tarheel Wheels with live links to
advertisers’ websites.

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OUTTAKES

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES, SOME DRIVE TRUCKS

BY MARILYN SURBER
GUEST WRITER

America’s truck drivers keep For those of us who know drivers, we know they don’t do it for
our nation moving. Nearly the thank yous; they do it because it is their job and they take
every necessity and comfort we pride in that job. As we reflect on all professional drivers do for
enjoy in life is brought to us by each of us and for our country, I am humbled to do my small part
truck drivers. to support and honor these amazing men and women.

National Truck Driver These men and women are our modern-day heroes – facing
Appreciation Week is Sept. their fears and leaving their family at home to help us take care
11–17 this year, and I cannot of ours. These men and women are transporting and delivering
think of a more deserving critical medical supplies for our hospitals, food for us to feed our
group of people to honor families, and daily household products that keep our homes and
and recognize. businesses running.

This weekis animportant Often, truck drivers are underappreciated in this country, and it
timeforus topayrespect is important to celebrate what they do not just during National
and thank these professional Truck Driver Appreciation Week, but every week.
drivers fortheirhard work and
commitment tokeeping our If you are a truck driver, we appreciate you. We know your
countryrunning, no matter the job is difficult and we know our country would not survive
circumstances. Wehavelearnedoverthelast several years just how without you.
essentialthese 3.6millionprofessional drivers aretoour economy.
If you are not a truck driver, make sure you take time to thank a
This is always an exciting week in our industry as many carriers, truck driver!
shippers, truck stops, and more think of fun ways to engage and
celebrate drivers. Carriers and shippers provide lunches, snacks, If you want to learn more about how to get involved with
and giveaways. You will see truck stops and restaurants giving National Truck Driver Appreciation Week please visit https://
truck drivers free coffee and meals. These acts of recognition are www.trucking.org/national-truck-driver-appreciation-week.
ways for the rest of us in this industry to say, “Thank you!”
Marilyn Surber is transportation advisor with Tenstreet, an
NCTA member company.

Views expressed on this page are the author’s and may or may not reflect the official policies or opinions of the North Carolina Trucking Association.
38 TARHEEL WHEELS

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
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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®.

ISSUE 2 2022 39

Kirk’s Sineath Towing

The man standing beside the wrecker with hat on is Serving the
J.I. Sineath, the founder of the company. Picture was taken in Trucking Industry
downtown Greensboro around 1928.
Since 1925
Kirk’s Sineath Towing
700 Patton Avenue Truck and Trailer Repair
Complete Shop Facilities
Greensboro NC 27406 24Hour Mobile Truck Repair
24Hour Mobile Tire Service
Computer Diagnostics
Towing

336-272-3456

www.kstowing.com

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