Tennessee Trucking News Q1 Spring 2022 ~ featuring Steve Kennedy, Roane Transportation

truckingTENNESSEE
Q1 SPRING 2022
NEWS

Going Flat Out

Steve Kennedy
of Roane

Transportation

Drive-SAFE Act Member Spotlight: Member Benefits Infrastructure
Paige Hinton, & Industry Impacts Funding

Hinton Trucking

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Tennessee Trucking News OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER STORY Q1 SPRING 2022

P 20 Going Flat Out

Steve Kennedy, president & CFO of
Roane Transportation Services, talks
about history and humble beginnings

BY ERIC J. FRANCIS

FEATURES

11 Younger Drivers Needed

Carriers like Skyline prepare to put
younger drivers on the road

BY STEVE BRAWNER

15 Member Spotlight:
Strong, Her Only Choice

Hinton Trucking’s success a
testament to true love and true grit

BY DAVID MONTEITH

18 Member Benefits &
Industry Impacts

Check out what’s happening with
Tennessee Trucking Foundation

BY DAVID MONTEITH

30 Tennessee Trucking
Foundation’s Road Team

A whole lot of things happening
around Tennessee!

BY CATHERINE STUART 

37 Infrastructure Funding

BY AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS

DEPARTMENTS

7 Chairman’s Message:

by Jeff Reed, Skyline

9 From the President:

by Donna England, TTA

29 Safety Zone

by Marty Pollock

34 A Closer Look

38 Calendar of Events

38 TTA New Members

38 Advertiser Resource Index

PHOTOGRAPHY ON COVER AND THIS PAGE OF STEVE KENNEDY BY LAWRENCE KUZNIEWSKI.

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 5

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Chairman’s Message

Tennessee Trucking Association ARKANSAS
Executive Committee

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

JEFF REED
Skyline Transportation

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 5712 Commerce Square

Jonesboro, AR 72401
President & CEO GCe.nDeAraLlECAoLuLnEsNe(l800) 264-0148
DONNA ENGLAND Adams and Reese LLP
Tennessee Trucking
Association
Secretary MISSISSIPPI
FounAdaRtioKnAatNLSarAgeS
JIM MOSBY
CTTWrruuuAmTccYSObkkLTCTPPeFAMETO2M(5JB(rAAiTrFRNTl88rMasoT74CCuCeRtDnPI00TFcnY41YSWlCCdrlkd00GTeee28HMoosS,IHsee)),EnIsO--inItICCOIMCtONdnn28beScIDhhnceOM,.Rr64ooc.GnaacSnGMRP44.miiarCtErrIEoStmm--PSiSOoum30,aanPlN12AlnnaeoI364lRru882cg8e7h2S26M4q0CuJ&Aa1aSrWSrrMC,OMeWRVVTOiNiriidIgaKeccTTdHngeeFTEsrsltsiIerSeCCGMpsT&aCohhteGTCsBHIeraanunItaFNiinaUnrgAnrrtenBmmeMkriRoareOsLaanmPssITnnENesCHCeRB3P2M((oTA85P.74eo,AMI70I94Snplsd30c28lS.ae)) OMHnr78,B84iUcgM54ClRhu-Sw0uf3If1l,2alo93M6yu3StaT82Oh6gre8Pee7hnWI2tiRns66’Nsnne3eolMIosM9cNrswo0taeham1reGraccnVehhdoHt,aoliInscA’dsdebpSbartinshienkSartegthePtmmabeRnareidlseaUlsanttriehNsf-aevsImiGp1ders.wiitdTnqnmhgu’ettiiarmblrarrtoseaetrgr.itsiWiasmebssiuoetsheuetnthotthtafihtaaTetolelycbsnucenhucieencrsrgerseesessdaeanoiITdtdfrwoauwunacerdskciS1tnaEh9ng7CeN9tfhCaeaachwnntadsktm!hfIuapwtliloawynsele5ave
s for Sales, Parts & Servicee Square

72401
Titan Transfer, Inc. Ozark Motor Lines, Inc. years old, so personally I sure enjoyed watching a great team cut the net down…now it’s

gh AlliTeRdMOVYIicSDeSICCOKhEaUNirmSRaIn 67 N&orAtThANNVSIoCitcnaKet-eDDCoVh’AmaiNcieriDcmPiRlareEendAs(3Sid50iek7n7e3t Ls) ty4on7nu1,aM7l 1O00o6n3Mt8o0arM1charicshalMsoadNnaetisosnaaslaW3o-smeeedn.’s History Month which celebrates the often-
826 Cen3Rtu7esr9h, N2TrauHschkivgillheway

ImmediaPteoPpaslat Cr hBaliurmffa,nM&O 63901 UPS overlooked contributions of women in history and society. We are seeing more and
SCouOVtMNhic(S3eNce50KaiIk7CEes7teeh3VTaALsF)eioUtyrn7oomGnn8dnaeHus5n,sAasMN0el e1O9363801ColoERVnaUiicsaBetlYFTCreMehniCganihBertmRsSsIDayesnEeteJ1(m5a47sc73k8)s5o3Sn3,t9aMt1eO8H90gmti6hge3ohins7rwee5mra5afyoetinmo1tn7ah7lbeSsoktbyhleicninoemtrheeecioongfvfniocilzeveeaddnTdaenbrdeeshsauinFcdcaeltlshosenfuwalshinteheleel.awTdhiinnisngemtrhaoiksfeiosnuditrueassntprnyeuciainaltlDolyrtfhiivteteinrneogxfttthhaet
rvice 2880 Hwy 67 SYoeaurthAward for 2021. She has logged over 1 million safe driving miles at Skyline and is
(573) 47B1OA7R1D0O0F DIRECTORS
67 North
O 63901

Farmington, MaOlso6w36o4rk0ing to train numerous new women drivers in our fleet. A big “thank you” to
DIREC1T4O7RS8A5T LSARtaGEte Highway 17B7ILL BOB WEST (573) 0190Teresa for setting the bar high and passing along your many years of knowledge and
BJRaADckALsLoENn, MO 63755 R.E. West, Inc. 747 skill to so many new women members of this great industry!
This issue of Tennessee Trucking News is full of great content that you are sure to
63801 Ve(n5tu7re3E)xp3re3ss9 1890 TEONcNcusEurSe WSCoEOrkReEYrs’LCILoEmpensation enjoy. There’s news about the Road Team, the Safety Zone with Marty Pollack, and a
TENNESSEE member spotlight on Paige Hinton and Hinton Trucking. On top of all that, we dive
BETH FRANKLIN into the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program and the cover story features my good

6g1J(3h8a17w0c250ak5E)yso.41nL27,.37TM-2No5r9g39aMM8JSEnuuT3PRll2F(EttiR0iin5VD--8TTaYnEaa57aH8ssrrFckk3imARl0veSSAM)ooBeNiPHllan7uuKTnttOLgii4kwooINNnnt7ysson06,17M9S0Oo(4Mu846et05h3m006)pS4AO2h0Um6iETs4DHKe,DFB-iEnlrIT0IeALEgieLSc3NW&tTTca3IoABRT,nYaER6Il3LnNIlLoAcWLN8w.NE1DSa1SyE8E

EoNuNthESSEE ROB RHEA TOMMY THAXTON friend and fellow East Tennessean, Steve Kennedy with Roane Transportation Services.
FedEx Freight Best One Tire & Service Your in-box should be seeing registration opportunities for events this spring and

4O506A36m4e0rican WAYNE WEAVER DAREL DYER summer. There are monthly Safety Maintenance Council meetings, Young Professionals
Premier Truck Group of Chattanooga events, golf outings for both East Tennessee and Middle Tennessee, as well as the
WRaapyid Ways Leasing popular Middle Tennessee clay shoot. I’ve heard rumors that East Tennessee is adding a
clay shoot this summer so be on the lookout and sign up early to reserve your spot for
emphis, TN 38118BOB WEST PERRY WILSON that exciting new event.

00) 264-0336 R.E. West, Inc. McKee Foods Thank you, stay safe out there and I look forward to seeing everyone in the
BILLY WHITE LINDY HENLEY near future.

Clarke Power Services Tranco Logistics

STEVE HOLDEN

w.TAGTru c kCe nte r. c o mBest One Tire & Service
WEST TENNESSEE

MARK GEORGE

EAST TENNESSEE Intermodal Cartage Co., Inc.

BILL REED, III TIM GATLIN
Skyline Logistics, Inc. Empire Express, Inc.

CRAIG KENDALL JEFF REEVES
The Peterbilt Store,-Knoxville Reeves Brothers Trucking, Inc.

ter.com JIMPETERS TOMMY EARL
TLD Logistics Services, Inc. TAG Truck Center

MITCH FISHER MIKE LATHUM JeffReed
Cummins, Inc. Wooten Transports, Inc.
Jeff Reed
MIDDLE TENNESSEE LESTER LAWSON President & CEO
JNJ Express, Inc. Skyline Transportation
WILLIAM KEITH 2020-2021 Chairman, Tennessee Trucking Association
FirstExpress, Inc. NON-DOMICILED REGIONAL

PAT MARSH MIKE KELLEY
Big G Express, Inc. YRC Worldwide, Inc.

BRAD RAHRER HAL DOWLAND
Portland Express, inc. HELP, Inc., Provider of PrePass

ALLIE SHARP SCHWALB GREG SHIPMAN
Christenson Transportation, Inc. Vertical Alliance Group

JOHN WALTON STEVE GARRISH
Averitt Express, Inc. OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 7

TRUCK SALES | PARTS | SERVICE | BODY SHOP
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MHC Kenworth
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mhc.com

truckingTENNESSEE From the President
NEWS
LEARNING FROM TTA MEMBERS
Official Magazine of the Tennessee Trucking Association
Tennessee Trucking News is owned by the Tennessee Trucking I have been doing one of my very favorite things
Association and is published quarterly by Matthews Publishing to do: traveling around Tennessee visiting our
Association members. I’ve had the opportunity to
Group. For additional copies, to order reprints of individual visit with several of you over the past few months
articles or to become a subscriber to Tennessee Trucking News, and have really enjoyed getting to know you better.
One thing that has been consistent throughout
contact Carol Foster at [email protected]. all of these great conversations is the fact that our members love our Association and
what is stands for. I’ll be continuing this practice of travelling around the state to meet
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake with you and learn from you. In the meantime, remember that we here at Tennessee
Trucking Association are always here for you.  
[email protected]
I was honored recently to present a trucking update to the Tennessee House and
Executive Editor Dave Huneryager Senate Transportation Committee on your behalf. I bring your stories with me, your
concerns and your ideas, and I’m very proud to represent you.
[email protected]
Your membership has tremendous value. Of course, we value the friendships and
Creative Director Fran Sherman connections we’ve made along the way. It is during our interactions that we learn the
[email protected] many ways of how you and your companies are personally experiencing any number of
the issues we face as an industry today. We learn from each other.
Graphic Designer Barbara Negron
If you get out and drive the highways in our state much, you’ll see what I see:
Ad Production Doug Benjamin Everyone zooming by, transitioning in and out of their lanes. I commend our
professional drivers for the job they do each and every day! They have to endure a lot
Photographers Clay Cook more than they used to, with so many distracted drivers and aggressive behaviors on
John Ballance our roadways. It isn’t always easy and they deserve our gratitude for their tenacity and
dedication.
Chris Fain
Al Ferreira The driver shortage has been the number one industry concern in the American
Daniel Gray Transportation Research Institute’s Critical Issues Survey for five years running. The
Allyssa Woodford Hughes American Trucking Associations has predicted that our industry is short some 80,000
Larry Kuzniewski drivers this year alone. In my travels, I’m hearing from you that this is the worst
Caleb Shane Lollar driver shortage ever seen. Carriers are increasing driver pay while also focusing on
John David Pittman recruitment and retention. The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program is in the
works to bring younger drivers into the pipeline which will help, but will not be the
Contributing Writers Steve Brawner solution. The issues we are facing now from supply chain shortages, gas and diesel price
Eric J. Francis increases, and ongoing regulations surrounding pandemic safety protocols are only
exacerbating the problem.
Kevin Jones
Renee Miller But we have each other. Reach out to your network of TTA members. Ask how
David Monteith folks are dealing with some of these things. Ask what’s working and what isn’t. Keep
Derek Rayment those communication lines open and from your interactions, there is potential for new
Jennifer Barnett Reed concepts to be created.
Jack Roberts
John D. Schulz Any one of us alone may struggle with finding solutions. But together, we
Lacey C. Thacker are stronger. 

Todd Traub

www.TNTrucking.org
Tennessee Trucking Association Staff

President & CEO
Donna England
[email protected]

Foundation Coordinator
Catherine Stuart

[email protected]

Administrative Coordinator
Carol Foster

[email protected]

Communications Coordinator
Ashlee Taylor

[email protected]

Director of Safety
Marty Pollock

[email protected]

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

An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations

Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) has served as the voice for Tennessee’s trucking Donna England
industry since 1930.TTA is a trade association dedicated to the furtherance of the
trucking industry’s goals and interests in Tennessee and the United States. Our Donna England
membership is a diverse group comprised of motor carriers, both public and private, President & CEO
and companies providing products and services to the industry.TTA serves these Tennessee Trucking Association
companies as a governmental affairs representative before legislative, regulatory
and executive branches of government on issues that affect the trucking industry. Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 9
The organization also provides public relations services, operation services and
serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.

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Younger Drivers Needed

Carriers like Skyline prepare
to put younger drivers on the road

BY STEVE BRAWNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“I think that it kind of levels
the playing field if we’re able

to have access and recruit
at the high school level and
show them, hey, here’s what
a great career in the trucking

industry can look like.”

­—­ Jeff Reed, president & CEO,
Skyline Transportation

When a pilot apprenticeship program letting Safety Administration to establish a pilot years of experience driving a commercial motor
drivers ages 18-21 cross state lines gets going, program allowing carriers to train apprentice vehicle in interstate commerce. Carriers would
Jeff Reed hopes his oldest son, Tyler, is one of drivers ages 18-20 to drive across state lines. be required to ensure trucks are equipped
the first to get behind the wheel. Up to 3,000 drivers can participate at any time. with automatic or automated transmissions,
FMCSA assumes a maximum of 1,000 carriers an active braking collision mitigation system,
The president of Knoxville-based Skyline will participate. The pilot program could last up forward-facing video, and a governed speed
Transportation said 19-year-old Tyler has shown to three years. of 65 miles per hour. Apprentices could not
an aptitude for driving and would be a good transport passengers or hazardous materials or
candidate for the program. He doesn’t believe his The program would require drivers to operate double- or triple-trailer combinations
son’s age should be an automatic disqualifier. complete two probationary periods totaling 400 or cargo tank vehicles. FMCSA will review each
hours. During the first probationary period, apprentice driver’s safety performance history
“In our training program, we’ve got 25-, the apprentice would be required to complete before issuing an exemption.
35-, and even 40-year-olds that come into our 120 hours of on-duty time, at least 80 hours
training program and don’t make it through of which would involve driving time. They The pilot program comes at a time when
because they just don’t seem to be able to would have to demonstrate competence in a the American Trucking Associations’ chief
master the skill,” he said. “So that’s where I get variety of skills, including interstate driving economist, Bob Costello, has raised the
my opinion that age is kind of arbitrary. We’ve and city traffic, among others. During the estimated current driver shortage from
got grown men coming, it’s a second career, second 280-hour probationary period, the 60,000 to 80,000. That number is projected
that just aren’t able to do it, but I think there driver would be required to complete at least to increase possibly to more than 160,000 by
are 18-year-olds that can do it just as well as 160 hours of driving time and demonstrate 2030. Trucking will need to recruit nearly one
anybody else.” competence in more skills, including backing million drivers over the next decade to fill the
and maneuvering in close quarters, pre-trip need. New drivers will be needed to replace
Reed is encouraged by the potential of inspections, and trip planning. retiring drivers, drivers who leave voluntarily
the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program, a or involuntarily, and drivers needed for the
provision of the Infrastructure Investment and The young drivers would have to be
Jobs Act passed by Congress and then signed accompanied by an experienced driver who is CONTINUES 
into law by President Biden Nov. 15, 2021. at least 26 years old and has a minimum of five

The law requires the Federal Motor Carrier

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 11

“This isn’t going to be
our fix on the driver

shortage, but it certainly
will help get the 18-20-
year-olds interested in
our industry early on.”

—Donna England, president
& CEO, TTA

industry’s growth. The shortage is worst in the Having drivers like Tyler available to drive Motor carriers who want to participate must
longer-haul, for-hire truckload market. across state lines would help Skyline fill empty apply and submit monthly data to the program
trucks. The over-the-road truckload carrier has regarding the apprentice driver’s activity, vehicle
The driver shortage by far ranked first in the 130 of them, all driven by company drivers, and miles traveled, duty and driving hours, safety
American Transportation Research Institute’s about 8 percent are empty. outcomes and other information. Carriers
2021 «Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry” will be required to notify FMCSA of injury or
survey, with driver retention ranking second. Meanwhile, a potential change in Tennessee fatal crashes, alcohol-related citations in any
The driver shortage ranked number one overall state law would make it much easier for motor vehicle, apprentices who leave the program or
for the fifth year in a row, with 47.4 percent carriers to recruit intrastate drivers. England the carrier, and drug and alcohol test failures
of respondents, including the vast majority said this legislative session, the Tennessee within 24 hours. Carriers must agree to comply
of motor carrier personnel, ranking it in the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s with the program’s requirements, which include
top three and 30.1 percent ranking it first. The Commercial Driver’s License Division is attending information sessions. Only carriers
driver shortage merited twice as many top three expected to introduce an administrative bill that not identified as a high or moderate risk may
responses as second place driver retention and would allow 18-20-year-old drivers to attain a participate. They must not have a conditional
had four times as many first-place selections. Class A CDL without a limit on distance. or unsatisfactory safety rating, any open
In fact, the driver shortage had more first enforcement actions in the previous six years,
place selections than driver retention had total Tennessee has stricter laws than most states a crash rate above the national average, or
selections. Five percent of drivers ranked it in concerning young drivers. Here, an 18-year- driver or vehicle out-of-service rates above the
their top three. old can only attain a Class B license, which national average.
allows drivers to drive single vehicles with
Donna England, the Tennessee Trucking gross vehicle weight ratings over 26,000 pounds Like many carriers, Skyline is struggling to
Association’s president and CEO, said the but doesn’t allow them to drive a combination find experienced drivers, so it’s having to use
pilot program will help the trucking industry vehicle. Nineteen- and 20-year-olds can obtain newer drivers out of driving school. Trainers
attract drivers. The industry currently must a Class A license and 18-20 years can only drive travel with new drivers for four weeks. For
wait for young people to reach age 21 before within 100 miles of a terminal. younger drivers participating in the pilot
they can become fully involved. Many start in program, Skyline would probably provide more
other fields and spend years building a career, One potential roadblock to the program is than the minimum required training. Reed
learning skills and gaining security. Then the the fact that insurers would have to approve said young people would need more time – for
motor carrier industry has to try to lure them the change. Skyline has a high deductible, so it driving and also for adult responsibilities – and
away to make a new start. assumes much of its risk. Its carrier has reduced possibly a series of trainers rather than one
the minimum age for Skyline’s drivers to 21, but to prevent trainer fatigue. Tyler would be his
“This isn’t going to be our fix on the driver it would have to go lower to allow Skyline to “guinea pig.”
shortage, but it certainly will help get the participate in the pilot program.
18-20-year-olds interested in our industry early on,” “We’re the ones taking the risk, and so
she said. “Now we have to wait on those folks.” “The insurance companies could be we’re going to be very, very cautious, prudent,
something that puts the brakes on this if they’re probably exceed whatever the government
Reed agreed, saying, “I think that it kind not going to be able to do it, or it’s only going would recommend so far as training and hours
of levels the playing field if we’re able to have to allow those larger, self-insured to do this,” behind the wheel and all those different aspects
access and recruit at the high school level and Reed said. “So your smaller carriers are going to of it, and safety technology,” he said.
show them, hey, here’s what a great career in the have a problem, because they may have to play
trucking industry can look like.” ‘Mother May I’ with their insurance company.” Reed noted the illogic behind the current
system, where an 18-20-year-old in many areas
across the country can travel across a state but
not a short distance across state lines.

Then there’s the fact that young people drive
military vehicles in combat but can’t drive
a truck across state lines here in the United
States. In the military, young people are put
in charge of such equipment after they’ve
been screened and trained. Likewise, trucking

12 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

companies would take the proper precautions
before putting a young person behind the
wheel of a truck.

Reed said the trucking industry isn’t trying
to fill trucks as quickly as possible. It’s trying to
solve the problem, and that will take time.

“I think it’s the right thing long-term if it’s
done the right way,” he said. “Done the wrong
way, then no, it doesn’t need to happen. But if
it’s done the right way, which it seems to be on
that path, then this is the right way to go.” TTN

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Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 13

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Strong, Her Only Choice

BY DAVID MONTEITH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAWRENCE KUZNIEWSKI

Hinton holding treasured image of her late husband

During the last few months of 2020, Andrea hospitalized with a severe case of the illness. A her to sell the trucks and scrap the business.
Hinton, who goes by Paige, was looking little over two weeks later, Scott passed away, But four drivers had already quit their jobs to
forward to being semi-retired, dusting off leaving Paige in charge of Hinton Trucking. come drive for Hinton Trucking. They had been
her art supplies, and doing more camping in friends and colleagues of Scott’s, handpicked
Montgomery Bell State Park. She had inherited “I literally knew nothing [about the trucking for their reliability and experience. And, in the
enough money to purchase three Kenworth business],” Paige said. “My husband had been case of driver Casey White, also a close friend
trucks, and she and her husband, Scott, planned in trucking for 20 years as a driver, and for to Paige.
to start their own trucking business, which he the last four or five years as a manager at
would do most of the legwork for. MLS Trucking.” The year that began with the death of her
husband did not get easier. One of the first
“When I knew I was getting this money, While he’d been in the trucking industry,
I knew I wanted to put it into something we Paige had raised six kids and operated a daycare CONTINUES 
could grow together,” Paige said. “He knew the out of her house for 13 years. “I used to just
drivers and a great mechanic.” deal with children all day long. And that’s
basically all I’ve done for most of my life. I’ve
Then, on Christmas Day, after months of not had to make phone calls, and deal with
making the arrangements to get the trucks adult issues, and payroll, and filing.” The steep
ready for the road, Scott showed symptoms learning curve was overwhelming.
of COVID-19. On Jan. 3, 2021, he was
Given the circumstances, several people told

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 15

Hinton Trucking's Robin Gann, Michael Cochran, Roberta Cochran and Paige Hinton

bumps in the road was learning to navigate of questions, made phone calls, organized but soon, instead of having all trucks operating
the load board while trying to develop a paperwork, and provided references to people with one to use as a backup, all the trucks went
professional relationship with the Amazon who could help with other paperwork in order down at the same time. To keep the business
operations center in Nashville in the hopes of to prepare for the audit. afloat, Paige hadn’t paid herself during the first
having steady work. Paige, who is in her late five months of operations and now all sources
50s, says she went from being only literate with England, now President of the TTA, reported of income were in the shop. Two of them
the basics of computers to carrying her iPad that most of our member companies started needed knock sensors. Finding a knock sensor
with her at all times. out small with lots of bumps in the road. in the middle of 2021 was harder than finding
“I was on the load board 24/7, rarely getting “You have to be strong to survive in trucking. truck parking.
sleep,” she said. Paige is being very resilient. She has had to be
tough and face challenges head-on. Resilience Fortunately, another of Paige’s miracles is
And then, shortly after launching the is the capacity to face, overcome, and even her mechanic, Richard Griffin, whose shop
business, news of an audit came. Casey, whose be strengthened by difficult experiences. It is in White Bluff. In addition to being a great
been a driver since 1998, said, “Almost as soon involves viewing the challenges you are mechanic, she credits him with saying the
as we got started, we got a letter in the mail that confronted with as valuable ways to learn and right thing at the right time to inspire her to
we were going to be DOT audited.” The letter grow, which I see Paige has done. I am looking keep going. Frustrated over the potential cost
included a significant list of compliance items forward to watching Hinton Trucking grow of a part one day, Paige confessed to him that
and required documentation that needed to be and prosper.” she wanted to break down and cry. She said he
addressed quickly. responded, “Girl, there is no crying in trucking.
The relief provided by stacks of completed It’s time to put your big girl pants on and get on
Another of the Hinton Trucking drivers, forms didn’t last long. Paige had purchased a with it.” She still laughs at that and has lived by
Robin Gann, called the Tennessee Trucking fourth truck, a Freightliner to be used it ever since.
Association and spoke with Donna England, as backup in case one of the others
who was vice president at the time. A meeting needed maintenance. The trucks got repaired. The audit was
was arranged. Paige describes some people and passed. And then another of Paige’s miracles
events over the last year-and-a-half as miracles. Casey explains, “One of the major difficulties
If her drivers were the first of the miracles, with a company that’s small is—to make a
Donna England was a close second. profit all of your trucks have to keep going. It
puts a little bit of a dent when you have even
“Donna was a godsend,” Paige said. “If we one down.”
had wings, we would give them to her,” Casey
adds. Over the course of many hours with Less than half a year after launch, contracts
Paige and Casey, England answered dozens with Amazon had been negotiated, alleviating
the need to constantly monitor the load board,

16 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

Casey White, Hinton Trucking occurred. A close friend’s husband called Her next big hurdle is possibly buying another
telling Paige that God told him to call her. truck. She’s bought trucks before, but another
He wanted to make an introduction to Chris one would make her nervous only because
Sadler, the owner of Sadler Bros. Trucking that would mean hiring a new driver—another
& Leasing. Two of Paige’s drivers, Roberta thing she’s never done. Not only does she want
and Michael Cochran, had worked for Sadler to make sure a new driver would be safe and
before. A meeting was arranged and days reliable, but they’d also have to be a good fit for
later, Hinton Trucking began hauling for Hinton Trucking, which has become as bonded
Sadler Bros. as a family over the last year.

“It’s freed me up,” Paige said. “They do the When asked what has kept her going, she
dispatching. They do the payroll and figure says, “These drivers. You know they quit
out all the fuel.” Insurance costs also dropped their jobs to come and work for us. I just felt
dramatically after leaving Amazon. like I owed to them and to myself to give it
everything I could.” She also keeps a Bob
Paige says there are still difficulties, but Marley quote on her desk. “You never know
a year has made a big difference in how she how strong you are until being strong is your
responds to them. In January, her team drivers only choice.”
got stuck in Nevada for ten days, then caught
COVID. A few weeks later, Casey slipped on It’s been a little over a year since her husband
ice breaking her foot. All her miracles have passed, more than a year of learning how
given Paige a degree of faith that keeps her strong she is. TTN
in good spirits when these challenges come
along. “We will be fine. Just one more bump
in the road we have to navigate through,”
she says.

Paige is still learning the trucking business,
but the learning curves aren’t always as steep.

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Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 17

Member Benefits &
Industry Impacts

Check out what’s happening with
Tennessee Trucking Foundation

BY DAVID MONTEITH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“We talked about it at length and came up
with the idea: Let’s start a foundation and try to raise

money, enough so that we could make sure
our investments would pay for the continuing

road team efforts that we were making.”

—Tommy Hodges, chairman,
Titan Transfer

The Tennessee Trucking Foundation, a got up and told the people in the room, “The her tenure as the Chief Happiness Officer of
501c3, has been the charitable arm of the doors are closing, and we’re here to start a the foundation, coordinated foundation
Tennessee Trucking Association since 1993. Tennessee Trucking Foundation with your funds activities, but still wasn’t a dedicated full-time
Tommy Hodges, chairman of the board of that we’re going to raise tonight.” employee. When Johnson left the foundation
Titan Transfer and president of the foundation, to follow a calling in her church, the board
and J.B. Baker, CEO of Sprint Logistics and Generous gifts from members funded the decided to create a full-time position and tapped
the treasurer and secretary of the foundation, foundation in the early years. Member support Catherine Stuart, coordinator for the Tennessee
were active in the TTA when the idea for the is still a significant source of revenue supporting Trucking Foundation.
organization was born. everything from the raffle to the statewide
safety awareness programs, as well as individual In 2016, Stuart transitioned from being the
In the late 80s, Hodges says there were less donations. Additional funding comes from membership coordinator for the Tennessee
than a handful of Road Team drivers, but the grants awarded by the Tennessee Highway Trucking Association (TTA) to working full-time
value of having ambassadors for the industry Safety Office, Pilot Company, State Farm, the for the foundation. She says championing the
was clear. Hodges and Phil George, the former Preds Foundation, Bridgestone, FedEx, and the foundation’s mission to promote highway safety is
head of TCW, were at an American Trucking Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “the most important thing I’ve done in my career.”
Associations meeting talking about the success
of the Road Team. For the first several years, the foundation With Stuart giving full-time attention to
was a labor of love, run primarily by the board the foundation, programming expanded
“We wanted to come up with a way we could of directors who were also running their own significantly. NO-ZONE presentations by Road
fund that work we were doing for outreach, for organizations. The Big Rigs for Little Kids charity Team captains informing students about the
safety, and all the many programs we’d started,” golf tournaments, which began in 1989, have blind spots around big rigs, were originally a
Hodges says. “We talked about it at length and raised over 2.1 million dollars for children’s response to data from the Tennessee Highway
came up with the idea: Let’s start a foundation charities and scholarships. Safety Office that indicated teen drivers were
and try to raise money, enough so that we the demographic most likely to be involved in
could make sure our investments would pay In 2007, the foundation decided to devote fatal accidents.
for the continuing road team efforts that we more energy to fundraising and contracted
were making.” with Multi-Task Solutions. Beth Franklin, Programs like CarFit and Yellow Dot, aimed at
CEO of Multi-Task, and Mandee Johnson safety issues specific to drivers over 55 years old,
Baker says that brainstorming became reality organized the foundation’s first silent auction, were added when the Tennessee Highway Safety
at the TTA convention in 1993. “One night we which continues to be one of its most successful Office pointed out that aging drivers were the
were at our convention event and Phil George fundraising events. Johnson, known during second-highest risk for fatalities.

18 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

“Pre-pandemic, our 30 Road Team captains its impact. Originally, the scholarships were seen “One night we were at our
were doing three to five events a week as a way to recognize and reward membership convention event and Phil
combining the teen and aging drivers’ programs. in the TTA. George got up and told the
The shutdown of in-person events halted most people in the room, “The
of the Road Team events, especially those aimed Scott George, CEO of TCW, serves on doors are closing, and we’re
at older drivers who are the population most the foundation board and was part of the here to start a Tennessee
vulnerable to the early strains of COVID-19. subcommittee responsible for introducing the Trucking Foundation with
The pandemic inspired the organization to newest scholarship. The new scholarship isn’t your funds that we’re going
expand the variety of formats for getting their limited to family members of TTA members
safety messages across. Stuart says, “It made us and is designed to attract young people to to raise tonight.”
look at it from a different perspective. If we can’t the industry.
go to them, how do we get the message out?” —J.B. Baker, CEO, Spring Logistics
“We made a shift from being a member-
One answer is an upcoming series of benefit to being an industry benefit, so we’re From Papa Doug Hauls Strawberries &
professionally produced videos on blind spots, just looking for someone who is going to go Smiles, a children’s book about the importance
drowsy driving, and driving while impaired to a Tennessee school…who has an interest of trucking, to Road Team presentations at
that will soon be on YouTube as a resource for in trucking, George said. “That could be middle and high schools, to programs that
schools, parents, churches, nursing homes, and accounting; it could be human resources; it help aging drivers understand their vehicles,
anyone else with internet access. Another new could be logistics; it could be IT.” there’s not an age we don’t touch,” says
video centered around the dangers of speeding Catherine Stuart.
is also in the works. The new scholarship also reflects the rising
cost of college tuition. The standard award will Donna England, president and CEO,
Another TTF program that’s getting be $2,500, with an additional $500 for students serves as the executive vice president of the
overhauled is the scholarships for college who are family members of TTA members. It’s foundation. Donna says, “Our foundation is
students. Since 2004, some of the money also open to freshmen through seniors. a reflection of all the wonderful members we
generated by the Big Rigs for Little Kids golf have in our Association. Our members are
tournaments has funded scholarships for As Tennessee and the nation emerge from dedicated to our mission, which is advancing
juniors and seniors in college who have a family what everyone hopes is the worst of the highway safety, educating the public through
member in the TTA. Over the past 17 years, pandemic, the foundation is poised to restart programs designed to make our roads safer,
the foundation has awarded over $200,000 familiar programs and launch new efforts. providing Tennessee children’s charities
to students assisting them in their pursuit with funds to improve the lives of our state’s
of degrees. “We’re going to be sending out a letter children, and providing college scholarships.
to the principals of every high school in We are proud to say that we are accomplishing
With the foundation’s push to be forward- Tennessee, telling them about what we have our mission.” TTN
thinking, the board recently decided to add an added to our safety presentations,” promised
additional scholarship to its offerings to expand Stuart. Churches and senior centers will also
be contacted about the virtual safety training
opportunities.

2022-2023 TENNESSEE ROAD TEAM

“Members are dedicated David Brady Eddie LeSueur Paula Harper John Henderson John Tetreault Matt Neary Eddie Threlkeld Kevin Davis
to our mission, which is ETN Ambassador ETN Ambassador MTN Ambassador MTN Ambassador MTN Ambassador SETN Ambassador WTN Ambassador WTN Ambassador
advancing highway safety, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Skyline Transportation TCW, Inc. Averitt Express, Inc. McKee Foods Transportation HUB Group Trucking Ozark Motor Lines
FedEx Freight
educating the public
through programs designed Rick Bennett Daniel Boone Jeff Coffey TJ Daniel Todd Darnell Tom Frain David Gooch Kraig Hinrichs
FedEx Freight FedEx Freight Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Huff & Puff Trucking Big G Express Highway Transport Christenson Transportation Ascend Transportation
to make our roads safer,
providing Tennessee Cindy Johnson Josh Johnson John Lemmons Eddie Lindsey Pete Lovan Cleve McCord Trinton Nevette Bobby Rue
children’s charities Covenant Transport Titan Transfer, Inc. UPS Big G Express Titan Transfer, Inc. Walmart Private Fleet FedEx Freight Ozark Motor Lines

with funds to improve the
lives of our state’s children,

and providing
college scholarships.”

—Donna England, president
& CEO, TTA

Cyndi Sliger Jamie Sowder Scott Varner
Old Dominion Freight Line FedEx Freight Walmart Transportation

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 19

Roane Transportation's Steve Kennedy and Aubrey Jones
20 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

Going Flat Out

Steve Kennedy, president & CFO of
Roane Transportation Services, talks
about history and humble beginnings

BY ERIC J. FRANCIS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAWRENCE KUZNIEWSKI

In almost 25 years at Roane Transportation, boats, so there for a while we were the cigarette it was formed. Today he is co-owner with the
Steve Kennedy has seen a lot of stuff loaded boat group,” he says. remaining founding partner, Luke Wyatt. They
onto their flatbed trailers. But it’s still pretty hold equal stakes in Roane Transportation and
easy for him to name something that sticks out And how do you tie down an expensive boat its sister company, Roane Metals Group, a scrap
in his mind. that can be 50 feet long onto a flatbed trailer? metal recycler that Wyatt heads up.

“Back in our early days, in 2001 to 2003, “They would take a crane and swing the boat Save for one short detour, Kennedy has spent
I’d stumbled across a guy out of Chicago, and over while it was on its own trailer, and we’d let his entire working life in the trucking industry.
he was moving cigarette boats,” Kennedy says the air out of the tires and tie it down,” After college he started driving for UPS down
from Roane’s headquarters in Rockwood, Tenn. he explains. in Alabama. Kennedy went into Management
“We met this guy because a driver of mine had with UPS and had several different positions
talked to him. So, we moved these million-plus While the company doesn’t tote racing boats including becoming the Center Manager in
dollar boats down to Miami for the winter around anymore, in a lot of ways they’re still Huntsville, Alabama. He was offered a new
and then in the summer we’d take them back emblematic of what Roane does: Take big loads, position with UPS, but he and his wife decided
to Chicago. often extra-long and extra-wide, and get them
where they need going. CONTINUES 
“Then he told his buddies, and they all had
Kennedy, the managing partner of Roane,
bought into the company in 1997, a year after

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 21

“We’re huge steel haulers. ALL-IN ON FLATBEDS grandpa drove coal trucks,” says Jones. “When
Equipment, oversize loads I was little, I’d go with them when we didn’t
– either heavy or wide or Today Roane has 122 power units, 220 have school. I never thought I would end up in
long – we do all that type of flatbeds, and round 175 people – 122 of whom trucking, it was just kind of one of those things.”
stuff. We’ve found our niche are drivers, conveniently enough. The company
in the flatbed business and has been built into a specialist at moving well-
that’s where our primary nigh anything to do with construction.

business is.” “We’re huge steel haulers,” says Kennedy.
“Equipment, oversize loads – either heavy or
—Steve Kennedy, president & CFO, wide or long – we do all that type of stuff. We’ve
Roane Transportation found our niche in the flatbed business and
that’s where our primary business is.”
that, with newborn twins, it was best to go back
to Tennessee to be near family. He subsequently Oh, they do have one van trailer they hire
joined Kindrick Trucking and stayed with them out to a local athletic team of note.
until he bought into Roane. He was offered a
position with the new owners, but he and his “We promote that a little bit,” Kennedy says,
wife decided that, with newborn twins, it was and you can just tell he’s smiling. “We haul
best to go be near family. the football equipment for the University of
Tennessee Volunteers. I really enjoy that – we’re
“And that meant Tennessee,” he says. happy to do it and that’s one of the perks we get
Kennedy hails from the town of Rickman at for being in the industry.”
the junction of 293 and Old Highway 42. Maybe
there’s something in the water up there in north- During his tenure at Roane, Kennedy has
central Tennessee, because he’s not the only built up a team he’s quick to credit for growing
success to come out of Overton County, which the company and making it run smoothly.
also produced legendary guitarist Lester Flatt. Many of them are locals, like his operation
manager Aubrey Jones.

“I’m a third-generation trucker – I don’t
actually drive, but my great-grandpa and

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In this case, the “thing” was getting a job England never really had a chance to get into a “What has always
with the same guy who had hired Kennedy, conversation with Steve Kennedy until last year impressed me about
Gary Kindrick at a meeting at Tennessee College of Applied him is his background.
Technology in Harriman. The school invited He’s a trucker, and we
“I went as a temp while their billing clerk was companies out to discuss starting a Truck need truckers in the
out on maternity leave and I’ve been in trucking Driver Training Program at their location. association, and we need
since that day,” says Jones. folks like him who are
“I was very impressed,” she says. “He just willing to put themselves
Years later, after working as an independent seems like a very sincere person. You can tell he out there. We appreciate
broker and agent, a mutual acquaintance of his loves what he does, he loves his company, and
and Kennedy’s suggested he might be a good fit he is definitely sincere about making sure he’s what he does."
at Roane. got safe drivers on the road. I remember him
telling me how right out of college he started —Dave Huneryager,
“I came up and met with Steve and he took a driving a truck. I think it is a huge feat to go former-president & CEO, TTA
chance with me, and I’ve been here ever since,” from driving a truck to becoming a managing
he says. partner of a very successful company.” During his tenure as head of the TTA, says
Huneryager, Kennedy and Roane were fixtures.
Which means that Jones also remembers Kennedy was known for lobbying on behalf
some interesting hauls, like cell phone towers “He comes to our conventions, he’s involved
and windmill parts and… of his company on his own before joining the a lot, he’s just the kind of member we want,” he
says. “He’s engaged, and he wants to be part of
“You remember that load of helicopter association; but having others around to assist what it is that our association does.”
blades?” he asks Kennedy. “That was really wild
to tie down.” with the lobbying doesn’t mean he’s completely The fact that Kennedy has logged hours
behind the wheel of a truck is also vital.
AN ASSOCIATION STALWART removed himself from being attentive on that
Roane Transportation is an active member CONTINUES 
front, says former TTA president and CEO
of the Tennessee Trucking Association and has
been for many years, says president and CEO Dave Huneryager.
Donna England. The company comes to their “I do remember Sen. Bill Hagerty came to
annual convention and many of its employees
participate in association functions. But Knoxville last year and spoke to our members
and people from Knoxville about the supply
chain crisis,” he says, “And Steve was there.”

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 23

“What has always impressed me about him then our guys can sit down in a nice tractor “If you do a lot of job
is his background,” says Huneryager. “You with leather seats and all the bells and whistles. site deliveries, or rebar
know, he’s a trucker, and we need truckers in They seem to appreciate that.” under a bridge, those are
the association, and we need folks like him sites that don’t even have
who are willing to put themselves out there. We They’ve also gotten creative in its recruiting, addresses. I’m not sure
appreciate what he does.” adds Jones. we’ll see autonomous trucks
ever able to do something
THE DRIVER QUESTION “As with every company, social media is just
It’s the Tennessee Two-Step of trucking: absolutely make or break,” he says. “Used to, along these lines.”
we did very little social media; now we have a
Finding drivers and then keeping drivers. ton that we do to try and create interest in our —Aubrey Jones, operation manager
Obviously, nobody running trucks today company and just getting the views and getting Roane Transportation
hasn’t dealt with this issue, and while there’s our name out there.”
some potential for future relief via the federal list any truck numbers that any of our guys
DOT’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship pilot For instance, if a driver finds Roane on have got.”
program for 18-year-olds (part of last year’s Twitter and sees the kind of trucks they have,
bipartisan infrastructure bill), it doesn’t address that could spur their interest and gives the The company also tries to build interest
immediate needs. company a lead on a prospective hire. among prospects who aren’t yet old enough to
apply for a CDL.
Roane’s approach to the driver situation “Then we have to chase those leads,”
has been to make it as attractive as possible says Jones. “At the local high schools, we let the kids
to get behind the wheel of one of their come in and wash the trucks and work around
trucks. Literally. Once they get somebody on board, they the yard when they can, just to be around the
let the company culture do the heavy lifting industry,” says Kennedy. “Hopefully, like me,
“I personally think one of the things we for retention. they’ll get attached to it and stay in it, whether
do that’s different from our competitors is we that’s in the office, a brokerage, dispatch, or
spend a little more money on our equipment, “One of the things we do here is we know driving a truck for us.”
our tractors, to make them more attractive to our guys on a first-name basis,” he says. “We’re
drivers,” Kennedy says. “They’re almost like an very personable with them when they call in; His brother Jeff has built a strong team in the
owner-operator spec. Flatbedding, our guys they don’t call in and say, ‘this is driver number
have to work hard, do some physical labor, but 5678.’ They know who their dispatcher is, and
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HR and safety office, he says. Their recruiter, more regional for guys who like to be home on “It’s a challenge, it’s
Marilyn Bost, really understands both the the weekend. hard work. We’ve got a
industry and drivers, and the rest of the staff is really good staff here. I like
very creative in how they approach prospects. “We have figured out if we can find what
works for you and find you a niche, then what we do.”
It’s a change from how he handled recruiting we’re 100 percent successful with those guys,”
back in 2000, says Kennedy, when “I would tell he says. “I’ve got guys who are considered —Steve Kennedy, president &
my senior driver Darrell, ‘Hey, I’m buying two OTR but the lanes they run, they’re home four CFO, Roane Transportation
more trucks, get me two more drivers,’ and he to five nights a week. Because of where they live
would get them for me.” and how the lanes run, they’re able to make as tender subject of the future. Well, this case is no
much as if they’re gone two to three weeks at different – after all, when you use “the future”
Twenty-two years later Darrell Wilson, who was a time.” and “trucking” in a sentence, it raises all sorts of
the second driver hired at Roane, is actually still predictions, or specters, or whatever you want
with the company, though he’s transferred over to Kennedy said he’s also drawn from to call them.
the scrap metal side and runs a crane these days. experiences in his UPS days and from other
industries to find ways to make things more Like autonomous vehicles, which have been
“He still comes and tells me what he attractive to drivers. just 10 years away for about 20 years now.
thinks, and his opinions about ‘Hey, you
should buy this truck’ or ‘I don’t like that one,’” “We try to preload, drop trailers in areas “Autonomous trucks, electrified vehicles,”
Kennedy says. around the country, so the guys can spend Kennedy says, “if that comes our way, well, we
more time driving and less time loading and haven’t backed down from a challenge yet. We’ll
Another key to retention, according to both unloading,” he says. “Being a small company, try it.”
Kennedy and Jones, is that Roane lets drivers like Aubrey says, we have to be more creative.”
pick the kind of schedule and route they want. But given the particulars of delivering
LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD loads of construction supplies, Jones isn’t
“We have a warehouse facility in El Paso, When you’re shooting the breeze with convinced theirs is a niche self-driving vehicles
Texas, that we service, and some guys like to will easily fill.
run out West and stay out West,” says Jones. the honchos at a locally owned trucking
“It’s flatter and there’s less traffic, and they get company, it’s almost inevitable that the “If you do a lot of job site deliveries, or rebar
good mileage, so their paychecks are always interviewer will get around to the potentially under a bridge, those are sites that don’t even
good. And I’ve got the stuff that’s shorter and have addresses,” he points out. “I’m not sure

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we’ll see autonomous trucks ever able to do equipment needs we’ll have. We’re blessed “We have figured out if
something along these lines.” to have a really good customer base and our we can find what works for
customers are asking us to grow with them in
If they ran van trailers? Sure, carrying cargo different locations. you and find you a niche,
from warehouse to warehouse might be right then we’re 100 percent
up a self-driving truck’s alley. But flatbeds also “We have a strong presence in Memphis; successful with those guys.
have other requirements that don’t come into I see that growing quickly,” he adds. “Robert I’ve got guys who are
play with enclosed trailers. Rivera manages our El Paso, Texas, facility – considered OTR but the
he’s a fantastic manager. We have a joint venture lanes they run, they’re home
“You need somebody to tighten that load down there with our largest customer and we four to five nights a week.
down and secure it,” Jones says, “and check it handle their material out of Juarez, Mexico, and Because of where they live
after so many hundred miles. I just don’t see it distribute it into the western United States.” and how the lanes run,
being driverless for a flatbed.” they’re able to make as much
Then, of course, there’s the Big Question: So, as if they’re gone two to
And if autonomous trucks are really just 10 Steve, when are you going to retire? three weeks at a time.”
years away, Kennedy says that just means he
sees a decade of demand for drivers who know “I don’t know,” he says with a dry chuckle – —Aubrey Jones, operation manager
how to tie down a load. And with a workforce this clearly isn’t the first time some scalawag has Roane Transportation
that’s aging and already older on average raised the question. “I’m 56. I’ve got a while,
than other industries, that just adds urgency I think.” And Kennedy feels he should, too. After all,
to the above-mentioned recruitment and trucking runs in his blood.
retention efforts. Miles to go before he sleeps in, you might
say. Still, he allows, it’s possible that “somebody “It’s a challenge, it’s hard work. We’ve got a
Meanwhile, Roane is priming the pipeline comes along with a big number” and buys you really good staff here,” he says. “I like what
to ensure there’s plenty of stuff to haul in out. However, his immediate plan is to continue we do.” TTN
the future. to run the company.

“I think we have adjusted over the years, as “I can see him being here when he’s 80,”
every other company has had to,” says quips Jones.
Kennedy. “As we plan to go forward, we have
an aggressive projection for 2022, the “Aubrey is 45,” Kennedy notes, “so he needs
to work awhile.”

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26 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

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NEWS NEWS NEWS

TTA’s 89th
CONVENTION

ELDs
HOURS OF SERVICE

A 12-Year 2019 Grand Champion Award, Trucking Economics
Old’s Dream Matt Holmes, Southern Champion Tray
& Major Brandon Douglas, THP FMCSA’S DRUG & ALCOHOL
Donna England
Tennessee Trucking Association CLEARINGHOUSE

AUTOMATED TRUCKS: TTA’s 1st Convention Expo
One Set of Rules Needed, Not 50
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Trucks: Buying vs Leasing Tennessee Trucking Association’s
New Young Professional Council is
TTA’s 2020 Road Team paving the way for future leadership.

READERS STRONG

TTA’s Tennessee Trucking News reaches more than 7,000 leaders in transportation
throughout Tennessee and beyond. And we continue to grow our readership. That makes

advertising in Tennessee Trucking News an excellent business decision.
If you want to reach this highly targeted and influential group of industry decision-makers and
ask them to consider purchasing your products or services, then you’ll want to place an ad in

every edition of Tennessee Trucking News.
Please contact our publisher, Jennifer Matthews, at [email protected]

or call (501) 690-9393 — if she doesn’t call you first!

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ATRITHE NATION’S TOP TRUCK

This year ATRI celebrates 20 years of leadership in critical data and analysis to improve the

BOTTLENECKS 2021trucking industry’s safety and productivity. From the truck stop to the executive suite, to the
ANALYSsItSate house and Capitol Hill, ATRI’s reputation for providing objective industry analyses means

data-driven decision making on the industry’s biggest issues.ince 2002, the American Transportation Research Institute

S(ATRI) has collected and processed truck GPS data in support
truck GPS dataset, ATRI found average truck speeds at some of the
worst truck bottlenecks improve by 100% or more as car drivers
of numerous U.S. DOT freight mobility initiatives. Using truck GPS sheltered in place and trucks kept moving to deliver essential goods.
data from over 1 million freight trucks, ATRI develops and monitors In a separate analysis in April 2020, ATRI found state-level truck
a series of key performance measures on the nation’s freight activity increased in early February as panic-buying drove consumer
transportation system. Among many GPS analyses, ATRI converts demand, followed by a decrease in truck activity as more businesses
its truck GPS dataset into an ongoing truck bottleneck analysis that were closed. However, by April and into May, ATRI’s Truck Activity
is used to quantify the impact of traffic congestion on truck-borne Index began to improve across the states analyzed, signaling a
freight at over 300 specific locations. While other datasets may return to pre-pandemic freight demand.
identify congested corridors, no dataset available today specifically
identifies granular chokepoints in the nation’s truck freight An additional impact on traffic congestion in 2020 was the number IMPROVING SAFETY
transportation system. of roadway construction projects that were able to commence and/ AND LOWERING RISK
or advance at a faster pace due to fewer vehicles on the road during
ATRI’s annual Top Truck Bottleneck Analysis uses a full year of the pandemic. Once traffic levels increased in the second half of
truck GPS data to calculate the top chokepoints. However, 2020 2020, those construction projects became even more congested.
was by all definitions a different year with pandemic-related impacts As such, this year’s Top Truck Bottleneck list reflects a rise in
intersecting with traffic patterns. In a March 2020 analysis using its ranking in a number of locations impacted by roadway construction.

2021 TOP TRUCK BOTTLENECKS • BY THE NUMBERS On topics as wide-ranging as predicting future crash
involvement to safety technology cost-benefit analyses to

AVERAGE PEAK 33.9%up year-over-year TOP 100 BOTTLENECKS 25% 29NUMBER OF STATES obstructive sleep apnea, ATRI’s research provides a blueprint
WITH AVERAGE TRUCK for managing risk and improving roadway safety.
43.0HOUR TRUCK WITH AT LEAST ONE
mphSPEED: SPEEDS <45 MPH: TOP 100 BOTTLENECK:

WA

9# Rye, NY OPERATIONAL DATA
1-95 at I-287 YOU CAN COUNT ON

NY Whether you’re looking to route your drivers around congestion or
CT benchmark your costs against your peers in the industry, ATRI’s
analyses combine real-world data with a deep understanding of
6# Chicago, IL PA industry operations.
I-290 at I-90/I-94
LEADING WITH DATA,
1# Fort Lee, NJ NOT EMOTION
1-95 at SR 4
ATRI’s research uses data and analyses to dissect the true
CA 2# Cincinnati, OH impacts of policies and regulations across a range of critical
I-71 at I-75 topics including Hours-of-Service, autonomous vehicles, CSA,
8# St. Louis, MO tolling, and nuclear verdicts.
I-64/I-55 at I-44

10# San Bernardino, CA 7 TN
I-10 at I-15 # Chattanooga, TN 3# Atlanta, GA
I-75 at I-24 I-285 at I-85 (North)

GA

STATES WITH THE 4# Atlanta, GA
HIGHEST NUMBER OF I-20 at I-285 (West)
TOP 100 BOTTLENECKS: TX

Texas.................. 12 Georgia ................ 7 5# Houston, TX
California ............. 8 Pennsylvania....... 7 I-45 at I-69/US 59
Washington ......... 8 New York .............. 6
Connecticut......... 7 Tennessee ........... 6

For more information on ATRI’s Top Truck Bottleneck analysis, including a detailed description of the methodology, visit www.TruckingResearch.org.

WHERE THE RUBBER
MEETS THE ROAD

ATRI has a long history of research focused on the issues and
concerns of professional truck drivers. From involvement in over
40 national, state, and regional truck parking studies to quantifying
the impacts of detention, ATRI’s analyses provide a key input to
advancing the safety and productivity of the industry’s workforce.

We rely on YOU to make our research successful. Help secure ATRI’s future for
the next 20 years with a charitable contribution from you or your organization!

Visit us today online at TruckingResearch.org
to learn more about our research and commit to
supporting ATRI through a charitable contribution.

Safety Zone

TTA’s new safety director offers
details on rules, tips and opportunities

BY MARTY POLLOCK
TTA DIRECTOR OF SAFETY

Safety is all our responsibility; we talk
about it often, look for new ways to approach
it, and train continuously. The return on
investment for all the hard work is paying off in
some key areas and deserves to be highlighted.
Looking back over 5 years, Tennessee has
experienced improvements and the statistics
below are an example of the caution, care, and
attention to detail truck drivers demonstrate on
a daily basis.

QUICK FACTS a crash. They just breathe a sigh of relief, and TECHNICIAN SKILLS
Driver condition continues to be “appeared go down the road to the next destination. COMPETITION APRIL 14, 2022

normal” for proportionally more Large Truck I recently had a new Road Team Captain TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP
drivers than Other (non-Truck) drivers in my office telling his story of driving on the APRIL 29 & 30, 2022
involved in Large Truck fatal crashes. road, seeing a law enforcement vehicle with
emergency lights activated on the shoulder Anyone interested in
The initial action of the NON-truck driver ahead. He slowed down and moved over, as a volunteering to help,
continues to be the more often contributing professional driver does. As he got closer, an please contact TTA
factor in fatal crashes involving Large Trucks. individual darted from the shoulder into the
From 01/01/21 to 12/31/21, 68.1% (109 out of lane he had just vacated. By obeying the law, at 615-777-2882
160) of the Large Truck drivers had no initial following training to give plenty of space, and
contributing action versus 40.3% (79 out of allowing safety to ‘drive’ his decisions, a tragic Marty Pollock
196) of the non-truck drivers. situation was surely avoided. NO statistics Director of Safety
or charts ever track these moves, nor a news Tennessee Trucking Association
Restating this in terms of contributing headline announce this type of professional
actions: CY 2021 data shows the initial action behavior. By the way, he’s been driving 25 years
of 56.1% (110 out of 196) of NON-truck drivers and has more than 1.5 million safe miles.
contributed to the fatal crash compared to
27.5% (44 out of 160) of the initial actions of My hat’s off to the many professional truck
the truck drivers. drivers who tirelessly contribute to improve
safety, pay attention and do the right thing.
Gathering information, storing the data,
and sorting through the various pieces of Think Safe, Act Safe, Be Safe!
elements and attributes contained in thousands Stay in the ZONE! TTN
of crash reports that are received annually is
an effort not many are willing to take on; but
we are all interested in the results of our hard
work and want to know that what we are
doing is making a difference. The numbers tell
the story.

The data drawn from crashes is critical in
shaping the story of improvements or helping
us focus on an issue to study. However, what
about the driver who adheres to training, does
the right thing when nobody is looking, makes
the safe move or action and successfully avoids

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 29

Tennessee Trucking Foundation’s

Road Team

Ambassador Kevin Davis (Ozark In red jackets, Ambassador Eddie LeSueur (Skyline Transportation), Captain Rick Bennett (FedEx) and in black
Motor Lines) DJ’s for attendees at our jacket on end R, Ambassador Robert Moxley (Titan Transfer) at Ford Driving event
Annual Fall Conference Karaoke

L-R Road Team Captains Ambassador Matt Neary (McKee Foods L-R Road Captain Josh Dopp (UPS), Ambassadors Ken and Donna Wheeler
Transportation), John Tetreault (Averitt Express) and Josh Johnson (Titan (Old Dominion), Captain Dale Moore (FirstFleet), Ambassador Eddie LeSueur
Transfer) at Collegedale, TN, Police Department National Night Out and wife Sara (Skyline Transportation) at Monroe County Yellow DOT

L-R Road Team Ambassador Matt Neary (McKee Foods), 1st from R Captains L-R Road Team Ambassador Paula Harper-FedEx, Captain
John Tetreault (Averitt) 2nd from R, Josh Johnson (Titan Transfer) with Rick Bennett-FedEx and seated Ambassador Robert Moxley-
Collegedale Police Officers at National Night Out Titan Transfer assist with Yellow Dot Sign Ups in McMinnville.
30 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

L-R Road Team Ambassadors Robert Moxley (Titan Transfer), Paula Harper (FedEx) L-R Road Team Captains Cleve McCord (Walmart Private
and Captain John Tetreault (Averitt) help with Middle TN Big Rigs for Little Kids Fleet) John Henderson (TCW) and David Gooch (Christenson
Transportation) help with Wreaths Across America

L-R Road Team Captains Rick Tetreault (Averitt), Eddie Lindsey (Big G) and John Tetreault Road Team Captain Eddie Lindsey (Big
(Averitt) at Knoxville Scales Roadside Inspection G Express) presents memorial wreath to
Carson Baldwin, 95 year old WW 2 veteran

L-R Road Team Captains John Tetreault (Averitt), David Gooch (Christenson Transportation), Ambassador Paula Harper (FedEx), Captains Rick
Tetreault (Averitt) and Cleve McCord (Walmart Private Fleet)

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 31

L-R in black shirts Road Team Ambassador Eddie LeSueur-Skyline L-R in Navy Shirts Road Team Ambassadors Eddie LeSueur (Skyline
Transportation and Michael Mosier-Old Dominion Freight Line at Transportation) and Donna and Ken Wheeler (Old Dominion Freight
Anderson County Law Enforcement Against Drugs Event Line) at New Market Yellow Dot Event

Road Team Ambassador Kevin Davis (Ozark Motor Line) at Road Team Ambassador Eddie LeSueur (Skyline Transportation) and
Portland Touch a Truck wife, Sara, helping out at the Ford Driving Skills for Life event

TJ Daniel (Huff & Puff) is Auctioneer for TTF Live Auction Road Team Ambassador Eddie LeSueur
32 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022 (Skyline Transportation) at Clay County Law
Enforcement Against Drugs Camp

Road Team Captains Cindy Johnson (Covenant Transport) The Foundation Raffle is one of the largest annual fundraisers
and Steve Bowar (Titan Transfer) at Tennessee School
Resource Officers Conference

Road Team Captain Eddie Threlkeld (HUB Group) with students at
Bradford High School

Road Team Captain John Henderson with Students at McGavock HS Road Team Captain Eddie Threlkeld (Hub Group Trucking) places Yellow
DOT sticker on aging drivers vehicle after Yellow DOT presentation

Road Team Ambassador Kevin Davis (Ozark Motor Lines) delivers flood relief supplies to Waverly Road Team Captain Rick Bennett (FedEx)
in TTA No Zone unit and Road Team Ambassador Matt
Neary (McKee Foods Transportation at
McMinnville PD National Night Out

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 33

A Closer Look...

The latest services, products and noteworthy news
from TTN's advertisers

MCLEOD SOFTWARE web portals that let them enter orders and To hear what our customers have to say,
track their freight visit www.McLeodSoftware.com.
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MHC KENWORTH customers with around-the-clock service and employees have worked hard to give customers
extended service hours, as well as its focus award-winning service, and we are truly honored
MHC Earns 2021 Kenworth Dealer of the on heavy and medium duty truck sales and to receive this award.”
PACCAR engine sales. MHC also had many
Year Award appearances in the 2021 Kenworth “Top Ten” In addition to the Dealer of the Year Award,
Murphy-Hoffman Company’s (MHC) rankings for dealer excellence, led by Kenworth MHC Kenworth – Kansas City received the
PremierCare® Gold attainment, overall facilities Kenworth Gold Award, presented to a select
Colorado region received the prestigious 2021 score, service operations, service velocity and number of dealers that achieve the highest level
Kenworth Dealer of the Year Award for the United extended service hours. of performance in the Kenworth network. The
States and Canada markets at the recent Kenworth MHC Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas regions each
Dealer Meeting in Marana, Ariz.  “It’s gratifying to be recognized for our efforts received Kenworth Silver Awards.
among many outstanding Kenworth dealers,”
The Dealer of the Year Award is presented said Regional Vice President Josh Schwartz. “Our To learn more about MHC’s locations, services
annually to the Kenworth truck dealer achieving and standards, visit mhc.com.
the highest standards for heavy and medium
duty business operations. It also recognizes
exemplary leadership and business growth. The
MHC Kenworth – Colorado region includes
MHC locations in Colorado Springs, Denver,
Grand Junction, Greeley and Pueblo, Colo.; and
Cheyenne, Wyo.

“It is a great honor for MHC Kenworth –
Colorado to receive the Kenworth Dealer of the
Year award for a record eighth time, and fourth
time since 2010,” said Tim Spurgeon, president of
MHC Kenworth, which operates more than 125
locations in 19 states. “This award was achieved
through the dedication of our employees and their
daily commitment to provide excellent support in
every area of our business. We especially thank our
customers for their continued business.”

Kenworth cited MHC’s dedication to

34 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

MCMAHON TRUCK CENTER Martin Weissburg, president, Mack Trucks; Dennis McDaniel, vp, Mack SE Region; Brad McMahon,
dealer principal, McMahon Truck Centers; Mike McMahon, dealer principal, McMahon Truck
Mack Trucks Names McMahon Truck Centers; and Jonathan Randall, senior vp sales & ops, Mack

Centers as its 2021 North American

Dealer of the Year
Charlotte, NC – McMahon Truck Centers,

headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina,
is the Mack Trucks 2021 North American
Dealer of the Year. Mack named McMahon
Truck Centers the winner during an event at
the American Truck Dealers Show in Las
Vegas, Nevada.

Mack annually presents the Dealer of the
Year awards to its dealers that exceed sales,
parts, leasing, and customer satisfaction targets,
while also focusing on business growth.

“Mack congratulates McMahon Truck
Centers for their continued high performance
and their dedication to meeting the
transportation needs of customers big and
small in 2021 and in previous years,” said
Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice
president of sales and commercial operations.
“McMahon also made significant investments
in their facilities, showing their commitment to
Mack customers.”

“Our entire team worked tirelessly this
year to produce one of our best years yet! The
reinvestments in people and facilities really put
us over the top” added Mike McMahon. “With
thanks and gratitude to all the families and
employees of McMahon Truck Centers, to our
great customers, and to Mack Trucks, we are
very pleased and honored to accept
this award!”

McMahon Truck Centers is a family-
owned group of full-service commercial
truck centers and dedicated parts and service
centers with nine locations throughout North
Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee,
Kentucky and Indiana. They offer Heavy-Duty
and Medium-Duty truck sales, service, parts
and leasing so you have one place for all your
trucking needs.

McMahon Truck Centers also manages the
complementary business unit of McMahon
Truck Leasing, a Full-Service affiliate
representing Mack Leasing System, Volvo
Leasing System, and NationaLease.

Q1 SPRING 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 35

JOE MORTEN & SON INSURANCE experience you need. We can help you navigate PREPASS SAFETY ALLIANCE

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the team at Joe Morten & Son, Inc. has the • Experienced agents who are skilled in bypassing and electronic toll payments using
a single transponder, saving fleets time and
building protection plans that fit your money, and improving safety. But did you know
specific operation. that you can solve the challenges of toll invoices
• Customized policies with industry-leading as part of this service?
products and services through Great West
Casualty Company. INFORM™ Tolling is an easy-to-use data
• Tools to help you understand where you are visualization software tool that helps carriers
experiencing losses and solutions that, when quickly identify toll discrepancies and
leveraged, will impact your bottom line. streamline the toll reconciliation process.
Through our affiliation with Great West Unlike the monthly mailed invoices carriers
Casualty Company, Joe Morten & Son can offer receive from multiple toll agencies, PrePass
the Choice Coverage® Plus endorsement, which provides one consolidated statement. INFORM
assists with towing and roadside labor costs due Tolling displays daily toll charges, equipping
to mechanical breakdown. It can also help with fleets to quickly find questionable toll
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emergency expenses incurred because of the INFORM Tolling.
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For more information on how PrePass and
INFORM Tolling can save you time and money,
visit PrePass.com or call 1-800-773-7277 – Opt. 2.

Coverages: Truck Insurance...It’s What We Do A CLOSER LOOK
Physical Damage
Not everyone can drive a truck. It takes skill, experience, and Take control of your corporate
Auto Liability commitment. The same is true for providing truck insurance. message by participating in this
Cargo advertiser-exclusve editorial section.
Serving truckers for over eighty years, the staff at Joe Morten & Son,
General Liability Inc. has the expertise to provide not just insurance, but solutions. We FOR MORE DETAILS,
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36 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

Tennesseans Win Big In
Infrastructure Spending Bill

Infrastructure

Tennessee American Society of Civil Engineers C How Tennessee Benefits
Infrastructure Report Card: from the Infrastructure Bill:

State of Tennessee $6.2 Billion

Tennessee Infrastructure Snapshot: Federal highway formula funding for
highways and bridges
881 bridges in poor condition
29.9% MORE
270+ miles of highway in poor condition
than the State’s Federal-aid highway
7.7% increase in commute times since 2011 formula funding under current law.
(On an average annual basis over 5 years)
$209 spent per year by each driver in costs
$52.8 Million
due to driving on roads in need of repair
Funding to augment commercial motor
vehicle (CMV) safety efforts to reduce
CMV crashes through the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s
Motor Carrier Safety Assistance
Program (MCSAP) formula grant

59% INCREASE

in funding compared to FAST Act
levels

National Infrastructure Grant Programs: Nationwide Total

In addition to the $6.2 billion in guaranteed formula funding, $8 billion
Tennessee is also eligible to apply for these competitive grants: $12.5 billion
Nationally significant freight and highway projects (AKA INFRA)
Bridge investment program $2 billion
Rural surface transportation grant program $2.5 billion
Grants for charging and fueling infrastructure $400 million
Reduction of truck emissions at port facilities $10 billion
National Infrastructure Project Assistance $250 million
Congestion relief program $7.5 billion
Local and Regional Project Assistance (AKA RAISE/BUILD program)

Trucking.org FOR MORE DETAIL: Visit the link below for a U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway
Administration spreadsheet including year-over-year Highway Authorizations by program.
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/docs/highway_authorizations_nov302021.xlsx

Calendar of Events Tennessee Trucking News

APRIL TTA Technician 24-26 NATMI Commercial ADVERTISING
14 Skills Competitions Drivers Training RESOURCE INDEX

27 Safety Breaks
Adams and Reese LLP 17
29-30 TTA Truck
Driving Championships JUNE NATMI Safety & American Transportation Research Institute
8-9 DOT Compliance 28
MAY
5
East TN Big Rigs for Little 13-17 Call on Washington ATA Comp Fund 25
Kids Golf Tournament
15 Knoxville Scales Roadside
Clarke Power Services 22
10-11 NATMI Safety & 21-23 NATMI Certified Director
DOT Compliance of Maintenance Drivers Legal Plan 23

11 Middle TN Big Rigs for Little 23 ETN Sporting Clay Shoot – Great West Casualty Company
Kids Golf Tournament Iron Mountain INSIDE FRONT COVER

17 CMV Crash Investigation & SEPTEMBER Navistar International INSIDE BACK COVER
Response Management 18-20 TTA 92nd Annual Convention
Training Course at Sandestin Beach Hilton, Joe Morten & Sons 36
Destin, FL
20 Greeneville Scales Roadside

McMahon Truck Group 35

MHC Kenworth 8

New TTA Members Nacarato 24

ALLIED Velocity Truck Group 4
American National
PrePass Safety Alliance 13
CareMoat Inc.
Crowe-Mallette & Associates Rush Truck Center BACK COVER

Erlanger ExpressCare Southern Tire Mart 3
Falken Tire Corp
Fuel Mentor TA Truck Service 10

ISAAC Instruments LLC TAG Truck Center 6
Kennedy & Associates, P.C.
Truckers Against Trafficking 26
Locomation
Network Truck Insurance Services, Inc. McLeod Software 14

NoCell Technologies Tennessee Trucking News 27
REPOWR, Inc.
This edition of Tennessee Trucking News was
Salem Nationalease Corp. made possible with the support of these corporate
Simmons Bank advertisers, all TTA members. They support the
trucking industry by enabling Tennessee Trucking
The Vomela Companies Association to provide this publication to its
members, prospective members, elected officials
CARRIER and the business community at large. They deserve
Gypsum Express LTD. your consideration and patronage when making
your corporate purchasing decisions. Thank you!
Orgill, Inc.
Rockwood Sustainable Solutions

38 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2022

JCJiOimmRPPOPRiinAnTddEeeFrrLEET DIRECTOR

CORPORATE FLEET DIRECTOR

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“Our business deals with refrigerated deliveries, so it’s imperative we’re on time – breaking down isn’t
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VIEW THE ERB GROUP OF COMPANIES FULL STORY AND DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF DRIVING AN
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Rush Truck Center – Nashville is part of North America’s largest network of heavy- and
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