Tennessee Trucking News Q2 Summer 2022 ~ featuring Jason Fucci, Venture Express

truckingTENNESSEE
Q2 SUMMER 2022
NEWS

Venture Express

Jason Fucci

Safety Director

Impact of Member Spotlight: Truck Parking TDC &
Fuel Prices Wooten Transports’ in Tennessee TSC Award

Mike Latham Winners

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Tennessee Trucking News OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Q2 SUMMER 2022

COVER STORY

P 20 Venture Express

Venture’s safety director, Jason Fucci, and company owners talk about the com-
pany’s origins and what makes this company tick

BY DAN CALABRESE

FEATURES

11 Truck Parking
in Tennessee

Big Problem, Some Solutions

BY STEVE BRAWNER

14 2022 TTA Annual
Convention Sponsors

15 Impact of Fuel Prices

BY STEVE BRAWNER

18 TTA’s Young
Professionals Council

BY SARAH HEFFINGTON

30 Member Spotlight: Going
the Extra Mile

Mike Lathum shares an inside look
at Wooten Transports

BY D DAN CALABRESE

34 TTA’s Road Team

BY CATHERINE STUART 

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

IMAGES OF VENTURE EXPRESS’ JASON FUCCI ON COVER AND THIS PAGE BY LAWRENCE KUZNIEWSKI.

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 5

23 locations in 8 different TAG LOCATIONS
states to serve you!
ARKANSAS

5712 Commerce Suare
Jonesboro, AR 72401
(800) 264-0148

MISSISSIPPI

4600 McCullough Blvd
Tupelo, MS 38804
(800) 844-3262

MISSOURI

5376 MO-266
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 862-7021

3792 Highway 67 North
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
(573) 785-0193

307 Lynual Street
Sikeston, MO 63801
(573) 471-7100

14785 State Hwy 177
Jackson, MO 63755
(573) 339-1890

2880 Hwy 67 South
Farmington, MO 63640
(573) 747-0190

KENTUCKY

215 Campbell Drive
Calvert City, KY 42029
(270) 906-0345

TENNESSEE

112 E. L. Morgan Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
(800) 264-0336

4450 American Way
Memphis, TN 38118
(800) 264-0336

WWW.TNTXTRUCK.COM

Chairman’s Message

Tennessee Trucking Association
Executive Committee

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

JEFF REED
Skyline Transportation

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President & CEO General Counsel WHAT A GREAT YEAR SO FAR
DONNA ENGLAND C. DALE ALLEN
Tennessee Trucking Greetings to my fellow TTA members and thank you for picking up this most recent
Adams and Reese LLP issue of Tennessee Trucking News. The way this summer has been, I recommend you
Association Secretary make sure you read this edition inside in the air conditioning or else the pages could
Foundation at Large JIM MOSBY meld into your hands!
FirstBank
SCOTT GEORGE Treasurer What a fantastic year 2022 has been for TTA so far. In her first year at the helm,
TCW, Inc. Donna and her team have hit the ground running providing the plethora of events,
SCOTT SCHUMPERT training, and outreach that TTA is known for. The regional Safety Maintenance
TruckPAC Co-Chairman Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs Councils are back in full swing, the Road Team has had a full schedule, and we’ve
WAYLAND THOMPSON hosted several training and educational sessions at the TTA headquarters.
Middle Tennesse
FirstFleet Inc. Vice Chairman On top of all that, TTA members have engaged with our political leaders both in
TruckPAC Co-Chairman MIKE MCFARLIN Nashville and Washington D.C., participated in roadside events with law enforcement,
competed in our truck driving and technician championships, raised a lot of money for
TERRY MINOR M & W Transportation Co., Inc. some deserving charities via golf outings and clay shooting, and there have been several
Cumberland International West Tennesse well attended YPC events.
Vice Chairman
Trucks, Inc. The second half of the year has a slate as well and includes our 2022 Annual
TTF President JASON HIGGINBOTHAM Convention in Destin, Fla. and the 2022 Fall Conference. Check out all of the events on
TOMMY HODGES Ozark Motor Lines, Inc. the full TTA calendar for the second half of 2022 and make plans to participate in as
Titan Transfer, Inc. Non-Domiciled many as you can!
Allied Vice Chairman Vice Chairman
TROY DICKENS This issue is filled with some great content that I know you are sure to enjoy. There’s
& ATA State Vice President a cover story on Venture Express out of Murfreesboro and the Member Spotlight
Rush Truck NICK D’ANDREA this month is on Wooten Transports in Memphis. In addition, the winners from the
Center, Nashville UPS Technical Skills Competition and the Truck Driving Championships are highlighted
Immediate Past Chairman & East Tennessee and there’s some great content related to the issues of truck parking, infrastructure and
Southeast Tennessee Vice Chairman fuel prices.
Vice Chairman RUBY MCBRIDE
CONNIE VAUGHAN I look forward to seeing all of you during the second half of 2022 and thank you for
Colonial Freight Systems being a member of TTA.
McKee Foods
JeffReed
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Reed
DIRECTORS AT LARGE BILL BOB WEST President & CEO
R.E. West, Inc. Skyline Transportation
BRAD ALLEN 2020-2021 Chairman, Tennessee Trucking Association
Venture Express CORY LILE
Occusure Workers’ Compensation
BETH FRANKLIN
Multi-Task Solutions EDDIE WAYLAND
King & Ballow
STEVE FRANKLIN
Multi-Task Solutions BILL TIRRILL
Fleetco, Inc.
JERRY HAMPTON
Pinnacle Bank SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE

ROB RHEA TOMMY THAXTON
FedEx Freight Best One Tire & Service

WAYNE WEAVER DAREL DYER
Rapid Ways Leasing Premier Truck Group of Chattanooga

BOB WEST PERRY WILSON
R.E. West, Inc. McKee Foods

BILLY WHITE LINDY HENLEY
Clarke Power Services Tranco Logistics

STEVE HOLDEN WEST TENNESSEE
Best One Tire & Service
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.

JIM PETERS TOMMY EARL
TLD Logistics Services, Inc. TAG Truck Center

MITCH FISHER MIKE LATHUM
Cummins, Inc. Wooten Transports, Inc.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE LESTER LAWSON
JNJ Express, Inc.
WILLIAM KEITH
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

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 7

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truckingTENNESSEE From the President
NEWS & CEO

Official Magazine of the Tennessee Trucking Association ONE UNIFIED VOICE
Tennessee Trucking News is owned by the Tennessee Trucking
Association and is published quarterly by Matthews Publishing  
I heard something the other day that resonated with me. Live each day to its fullest
Group. For additional copies, to order reprints of individual because you will never get to live that day again. 
articles or to become a subscriber to Tennessee Trucking News, With record high inflation, record high diesel prices and labor shortages it is hard to
maneuver in this industry right now. The decisions you make today could impact the
contact Carol Foster at [email protected]. rest of your life.
It was great to see that the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure committee
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake has approved the truck parking bill. Now it goes to the House floor for a vote. The
Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, if approved, would dedicate funding for state
[email protected] transportation agencies to create or expand upon safe parking areas for commercial
trucks. More safe parking is needed to protect our drivers.
Executive Editor Dave Huneryager If you have never attended our Call on Washington, I highly recommend you go next
year. When we did our Call on Washington this year, truck parking was one of our key
[email protected] issues that we discussed with our Tennessee delegation. The ATA Hill office did a super
job briefing us on current issues. Henry O. Hanscom, ATA vice president, legislative affairs
Creative Director Fran Sherman escorted us. He did a fantastic job helping us discuss issues affecting the trucking industry.
[email protected] We set out with 10 visits for the day. We were able to visit everyone on the list.
Tennessee Trucking Foundations President Tommy Hodges, Goggin Warehousing,
Graphic Designer Barbara Negron LLC. led the way for us. Tommy has been instrumental in these visits for many years
and his wealth of Industry knowledge shows when he is speaking on our behalf.
Ad Production Doug Benjamin Likewise, outgoing TTA Chairman Jeff Reed, Skyline Transportation, Inc. was just as
impressive with his knowledge of the topics we were presenting and made everyone
Photographers Clay Cook attending feel welcome. It was great seeing those who have attended before jump in and
John Ballance get to work making sure our voices were heard. It was also encouraging to see members
of our Young Professionals Council join in on the discussions. 
Chris Fain I am excited to say that we have had 50 new members join this year so far. I hope to
Al Ferreira see you at our 2022 annual convention. Our members who attend will tell you that it is
Daniel Gray a wonderful event, one you don’t want to miss. We have a wonderful group of exhibitors
Allyssa Woodford Hughes that you will get to meet. Please take the time to go by their booths and learn about
Larry Kuzniewski their offerings.
Caleb Shane Lollar National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 11-17, 2022. TTA members
John David Pittman know the value of our drivers and we can’t thank them enough for all they do to drive
our economy by delivering the essentials. 
Contributing Writers Steve Brawner Keep in mind: No task is too big when done by all!
Eric J. Francis  

Kevin Jones Donna England
Renee Miller
David Monteith Donna England
Derek Rayment President & CEO
Jennifer Barnett Reed Tennessee Trucking Association
Jack Roberts
John D. Schulz Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 9
Lacey C. Thacker

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
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
membership is a diverse group comprised of motor carriers, both public and private,
and companies providing products and services to the industry.TTA serves these
companies as a governmental affairs representative before legislative, regulatory
and executive branches of government on issues that affect the trucking industry.
The organization also provides public relations services, operation services and
serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.



Truck Parking in Tennessee

Big problem, some solutions

BY STEVE BRAWNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Truck parking is a problem. Pound Institute’s (ATRI) most recent “Critical England also mentioned Jason’s Law
Lamb is part of the solution. But Issues in the Trucking Industry” annual which requires the U.S. Department of
only part. survey. Among drivers, it was tied Transportation to assess the availability
for first. The lack of parking forces of truck parking in each state. It’s named
Lamb is the founding partner of Big drivers reaching their allotted 11 hours for Jason Rivenburg, a truck driver
Rig Parking, a private truck parking of driving time to either violate the who was murdered while parked at an
provider with a 110-space lot in regulation or park in a potentially abandoned gas station in 2009.
Christiana and a 250-space lot opening unsafe place, such as an exit ramp. Or,
soon in Mt. Juliet. they leave the road before their hours Lamb’s Big Rig Parking
of service have been reached, losing (bigrigparkingspaces.com) opened for
Lamb, a real estate developer, came valuable driving time in the process. business in 2019 and opened its first lot
up with the idea when junior partner in Christiana off I-24 in April 2021. The
Thomas Ratchford of Georgia-based Donna England, president and CEO seven-acre lot is lighted and fenced with
Ratchford Trucking told him about of the Tennessee Trucking Association, camera coverage. It’s not manned, but it
issues that trucking companies were said some firms are paying for reserved is cleaned regularly.
facing because of the electronic logging parking at truck stops so their drivers
device mandate. can eat, rest and shower. She would It doesn’t have restroom facilities,
like to see more dollars available for but by design it’s located next to a Love’s
“I’m an ex-banker, and when we first truck parking. It has to be stressful travel stop.
started looking at this, I kept going, am I for drivers having to search for spots.
missing something?” Lamb said. “I don’t When truckstops are full, drivers resort Drivers can go online to see if spaces
understand why people aren’t doing it, to to parking on the shoulder of a ramp, are available and reserve that way or
the point it made me afraid to do it.’” which is not the safest location to park. through a 24-hour video chat call

Truck parking ranked fifth in the CONTINUES 
American Transportation Research

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 11

service. They pay $19 a night during and Georgia. The hardest part is finding I-40 mile maker 426; the welcome center
the weekdays and $15 a night during acreage next to a truck stop or other at I-24 at mile marker 0.5; the welcome
weekends. About a third of the trucks are amenities that works geographically and center at I-65 mile marker 121; and the
monthly renters who pay $250. can be zoned. welcome center at I-40 mile marker 426.

“We do like the monthly parkers While Lamb is addressing the issue It also recommended construction of
because we do know it’s a need, but at the from a private perspective, Dan Pallme, new facilities where rest areas are located
same time, we want to really cater to the Tennessee Department of Transportation in only one interstate direction: I-555
nightly parkers because they’re the ones assistant bureau chief of freight and southbound, mile marker 9; and I-40
that are out on the road trying to find a logistics, is working it from the public eastbound, 1-81 northbound.
place to park,” he said. realm. Pallme said the state will focus
on rest areas that can be approved by The study included a survey completed
Lamb says he’s making a profit. He restriping and other areas that can be by 311 drivers. Almost half said they
estimated it’s costing him about $15,000 brought into service while at the same spent between 30 minutes and an hour
to build each parking space. He’s hoping time working toward bigger building finding parking, and more than half
to drive the cost down to about $10,000. projects. When the state is expanding a reported that they occasionally or often
Larger lots achieve economies of scale section of interstate, he can expand an parked in unsafe locations. Almost 40%
for expenses like software systems, which adjoining rest area. changed their route selection due to
cost the same regardless of the number parking challenges in Tennessee. The
of spaces. Big Rig Parking uses a tar Pallme’s agency is relying in part on survey also found that shippers and
and chip paving method so ruts can be a 2020 University of Memphis study receivers in Tennessee rarely allow on-site
quickly repaired. that used ATRI truck data to identify parking outside of appointment hours.
15 existing rest areas as candidates for
He’s hoping to expand rapidly now capacity upgrades. Pallme said an engineering consulting
that he knows the technology works. The firm will be studying current parking
Mt. Juliet location off I-840, which is also The team recommended expanding spaces and drawing up plans to
next to a Love’s, should open in August. capacity for public rest areas with more potentially restripe them. Some rest
Not only is it bigger, but the company than 70% median utilization in 2035. areas have parallel parking, and he wants
is running conduit in preparation for Three rest areas and three welcome to move to all diagonal, which is safer.
the potential use of electric trucks. He centers were projected to have 100% He said he is planning on starting that
wants to cover middle Tennessee, but utilization by 2035: rest areas at the I-40 project in about six months, followed by
he’s also looking at areas like Clarksville mile marker 73 both eastbound and enlarging rest areas. Examples would be
and also out-of-state locations in Florida westbound; the westbound rest area at I-40 at mile makers 130 and 170. A closed
weigh station at Manchester simply needs
striping and signage. It could be done
within a year, though Pallme isn’t sure
how many spots it would create.

He also hopes to expand the number
of spots each direction at that mile
marker 170 location from about 13 spots
to about 40. Plans have already been
made, but it will require right-of-way
acquisition, and the project will not
be cheap.

“The bottom line is if we look at it as
one project, we’re going to increase a net
change of 53 spots at a total price tag of
$21,800,000,” he said. “If you equate that
math, that is $411,321.74 into making
safe and more truck parking in just that
one location. …

“That’s the dilemma for DOTs. If
you sat there and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got

12 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

$21 million. Would you rather do road available than has been in the past. to replace two bridges and construct
construction, pothole repair payment, The law increased highway funding by 125 truck parking spots at the Caney
widening, or do we need to provide safe 38%. Most of the formula funds can Fork River in Smith County through
and efficient truck parking? And that’s be used for truck parking capacity, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
the big dilemma that states have.” there are a couple of Federal Highway Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant
Administration grant programs where program. The program contains $2.9
Pallme expects some construction on parking is eligible. billion over five years for major projects
enlarging rest areas will be implemented of regional or national significance.
in five years. The six public areas shown “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get the Truck parking projects are eligible. The
to be reaching 100% utilization would dedicated funding because now parking construction project would cost $56.5
receive early attention. has to compete with everything else, million overall.
and there are more needs than money
Another consideration is how to in the highway space, but at least there’s Pallme said a regional approach is
incorporate truck parking management the potential for addressing this problem needed. A trucker traveling the 120 miles
systems into the designs. Pallme said with all the new money that’s out there,” it takes to cross Tennessee going north to
truckers want to know how many spaces he said. south probably won’t need to rest here,
are available in a particular lot through while a trucker traveling east to west
digital signage and other means. The Roth said a number of private across the state’s 430 miles likely will. He
technology is still in its infancy. developers have become interested in said he helped the Appalachia Regional
providing parking services. Commission write a request for proposal
Darren Roth, the American to look at available truck parking.
Trucking Associations’ vice president “I think the private sector certainly sees
of highway policy, said that the $1.2 this as an opportunity, so I think we’ll “If a trucker’s going from Kentucky
trillion Infrastructure Investment see a lot more collaboration, a lot more to Tennessee and he can’t find a spot in
and Jobs Act passed by Congress last public-private partnerships trying to Kentucky, well, we need to get him a spot
year didn’t include money dedicated address this problem,” he said. in Tennessee, and vice versa,” he said. TTP
to truck parking, but more money is
Pallme has applied for $22.6 million

Transportation and Logistics DALE ALLEN CANNON ALLEN ROB BREUNIG
Partner Partner Partner

JEFF BROOKS BEN FOX ROCKY KING
Partner Partner Partner

Our Adams and Reese Transportation and Logistics Team advises clients on issues HOLLY McDANIEL ASHLEY HARBIN
relating to the entire supply chain and all modes of transportation: highway, water, Governmental Affairs Associate
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Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 13

2022 TTA ANNUAL CONVENTION

14 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

Impact of Fuel Prices

As diesel costs rise, truckers pass on
costs with surcharges

BY STEVE BRAWNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fuel prices/fuel quality did not of the Tennessee Trucking Association, Congress need to get serious
rank in the top 10 in the American said that with fuel being motor carriers’ about building that new bridge now,
Transportation Research Institute’s second largest expense, the price spikes not in 10 or 15 years, but now. We need
“Critical Issues in the Trucking are having a major effect on their an all-of-the-above strategy to get us
Industry” survey in 2021. bottom lines. Particularly hurt are there. That means ramping up domestic
smaller, newer companies. production in the near term while
It’s safe to assume it will rank higher investing in alternatives like electric
in 2022. “I’m concerned that these elevated fuel vehicles in the medium- and long-term.”
prices will push several of these newly
The annual survey of motor opened companies out of business,” she In Tennessee, Reps. Bo Mitchell,
carriers, drivers and trucking industry said. “I just don’t see how they can afford D-Nashville, and John Ray Clemmons,
stakeholders was conducted between these prices.” D-Nashville, this year asked Gov. Bill
Sept. 8 and Oct. 15, 2021, when diesel Lee to pause the state’s collection of
prices were averaging somewhere The rising diesel prices have been gas and diesel taxes for 90 days, a
between roughly $3.37 and $3.67 caused by several factors, including the move they said would save families
nationally, according to the Department economy’s rebound from the covid-19 $224 million.
of Energy. That was enough to rank the lockdowns and Russia’s invasion
issue only 12th in ATRI’s survey. of Ukraine. But the effort did not go far. Rep.
Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, chair of the
What a difference a year makes. Government policies have also played House Transportation Committee,
Now, fuel prices are at the top of every a part. England wants short-term said via email that the Legislature did
carrier’s concerns. As of June 13, average solutions and long-term thinking. not consider a fuel tax holiday because
diesel prices had risen to almost $5.72 it primarily would have benefited
per gallon across the United States, “We need to get serious about wholesalers and suppliers, on whom
compared to $2.43 a year ago and $3.61 energy independence,” she said.
at the beginning of the year. “Our country’s blessed with all the oil
and gas we need so we can bridge the
Donna England, president and CEO future to alternatives. The president and

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 15

the tax is levied. They would have no his family-owned company has been the company feels it can go without
obligation to pass savings on adjusting most of its fuel surcharges on compromising safety or its ability to
to consumers. a weekly basis to keep its 142 company- recruit drivers. As for idling time, it
operated power units on the road. So far, doesn’t expect drivers to sit in a hot
Instead, he said, “They can set the per shippers have been agreeable, but the truck in the middle of summer.
gallon price at whatever they feel the surcharges don’t help the carrier make
market will bear.” up for the higher fuel costs for empty “Fuel mileage, there’s no one silver
miles and idle time. bullet,” he said. “It’s the culmination
Also, Howell said the fuel tax of a lot of daily small actions, whether
is a dedicated revenue stream for “The loaded miles, we have been it be coaching drivers, whether it be
the Tennessee Department of pretty successful recouping most of the monitoring idle time, setups of engines
Transportation used for roads added expense on loaded miles with and drivetrains. We pay attention to
and bridges. surcharges,” he said. “The shipping things on a daily basis. We even go as far
public has been pretty good to the as to look at which way fuel is trending
Instead, lawmakers agreed to industry in terms of understanding by the day and communicate, encourage
waive the state’s portion of the auto and going along with the surcharges. drivers to top off fuel tanks today or to
registration fee for a year and to waive … The volatility of it makes it tricky, wait till tomorrow if it’s going down.
the state’s 4 percent tax on food items particularly on the way up. … You Every little action, it’s just gaining
during the month of August as part of recover what you can and absorb the pennies and nickels here and there.”
Lee’s $52.8 billion budget. rest of it.”
Joel Henry, president of Germantown-
In the meantime, Tennessee trucking Meanwhile, M&W is trying to save based IMCG, said staying ahead of
companies are managing the price fuel, which isn’t easy. The company rising fuel costs can be challenging even
spikes by adding surcharges and trying was already governing speeds at 65-68 with surcharges. IMCG is primarily a
to save fuel where they can. mph, which McFarlin said is as low as drayage carrier that uses Class 8 tractors
to move ocean and rail containers,
Mike McFarlin, CEO of Nashville- mostly within a 300-mile radius around
based M&W Logistics Group, said the cities where it operates.

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Auto Liability commitment. The same is true for providing truck insurance. reached, but customers have been
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Occupational Accident Corporate Office Regional Office as things spike, it’s definitely costing
And many more 1309 West 29th Street 10100 Global Way, Suite 200 us more money to operate than we’re
South Sioux City, NE 68776 collecting,” he said.
Knoxville, TN 37932
402.494.4251 865.392.3800 The challenges are especially acute
for the company’s owner-operators,
who compose about 40 percent of the
company’s 540 trucks and most of
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have much money sitting in the bank
to help with cash flow issues between
the time they pay for the fuel and when
they get paid for their work – especially
when the price spikes. To keep those

16 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

owner-operators whole, the company the company changes its surcharge in Pennsylvania, which may be old news
is negotiating better prices for their monthly, but a few have requested by the time this story runs. He believes
fuel and paying them more than their weekly changes. Some of the concrete there’s nothing in the marketplace to
contract terms require. companies for which it hauls dry bulk indicate fuel supply will improve in the
cement try to quote jobs a year near future. Those high fuel prices are
“That’s what we’ve got to do to help in advance. adding to other challenges including
keep them healthy,” he said. “If we didn’t finding drivers and ordering trucks 12-
have them, we wouldn’t have “Basically, what I’ve been having to 15 months in advance.
all the customers and we wouldn’t do recently is just to kind of give them
be healthy.” where our fuel surcharge is at this He noted that motor carriers must
point in life and tell them to rub that maintain a balance when it comes to
Meanwhile, IMCG is saving fuel crystal ball and add some to it to protect raising fuel prices: They must make a
where it can. Trucks are governed at themselves in case the price continues to profit, they want to be fair, and they
68 mph and at 55 in the city, which escalate,” he said. don’t want to lose a customer.
hasn’t changed since before the price
spike began. Onboard telematics tell the The company has been helped by “You’ve just got to pass along
company how much time its trucks are having a couple of on-site fuel tanks that as much of it onto the customer as
sitting idle so drivers can be coached add flexibility, save drivers’ time, and you can but without taking advantage of
and encouraged. provide a fuel discount. On the other the situation,” he said. “You just
hand, the tanks cost $75,000 to $100,000 have to try to be fair, what you think is
“We’re trying to provide them as much to install, and there are maintenance fair with the customers, because
information as we can so they can be as costs. Overall, the arrangement is you definitely don’t want to lose a
efficient as they can with their trucks,” advantageous, Lathum said. customer by jacking your prices up
he said. or increasing the fuel surcharge to the
Lathum said a truck recently had point of being ridiculous.” TTP
Theoretically, electric trucks are a spent more than $6 per gallon for diesel
potential answer to rising diesel prices,
and IMCG has seven of them. But that’s
a very specific solution for a particular
company. In this case, they’re all yard
trucks operating within a customer’s
private facility with on-site charging.
The trucks were much more expensive
– $260,000 to $280,000 versus the
$110,000 to $125,000 that a diesel truck
would cost, with no government tax
incentives offered. But the customer in
this case was willing to pay more.

IMCG is weathering the increased fuel
prices. Henry is more concerned about
the bigger picture.

“My bigger concern is what it’s doing
to our economy and is it going to trigger
a recession?” he said. “We already know
we have some significant inflation going
on. When does the inflation cap? That
to me is my bigger concern is what it’s
going to do to our economy and our
company long-term.”

Mike Lathum, president of Memphis-
based Wooten Transports, said it’s
difficult for his 66-truck primarily
tanker carrier to keep up with the
rising prices. For most of its customers,

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 17

TTA’s Young Professional
Council Report

BY SARAH HEFFINGTON
GUEST WRITER

The Tennessee Trucking Association’s then we dove right into hot industry was the ongoing need to retain and
Young Professionals Council hosted topics with our panel. hire drivers, as well as encouraging
another well attended quarterly meeting young people to enter our industry
at the Reliance Partner’s office in the Our three panelists included: current in all capacities. All agreed that the
Nations on June 8th. The YPC is known TTA Chairman, Jeff Reed, President of driver shortage is a persistent, decades
for putting the fun in fundraising, Skyline Transportation, Mike McFarlin, old challenge, but that we can’t leave
recruiting young folks into our industry, CEO of M&W Transportation and it unresolved. Both Mike and Jeff
and hosting educational panels like this Rocky King, partner at Adams and Reese. mentioned the importance of taking care
one. Chairman Jessie Merritt and the The panel was moderated by YPC Vice of your drivers and making sure they
Reliance Team sponsored a BBQ lunch Chair, Sarah Heffington, M&W. know that they are treated and valued on

One of the main topics discussed

18 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

the same level as office employees. Those schools were just a few. He reiterated Mendenhall, Rush Truck Center and
equivalencies include vacation days, the need for Washington to frequently Caleb Vance, Penske Truck Leasing.
benefits, and calling them by name. hear from the TTA and younger faces
of the YPC. TTA’s executive committee Mike finished up by saying that he
Jeff mentioned that Skyline has voted to award two sponsorships for is extremely optimistic for the future.
switched from dispatching by truck the “Call on Washington” this year “Young people today are smarter and
number to driver name. Jeff stated: and both were sponsored by Jeff Reed, brighter than they ever have been. I
“When a truck has an issue or breaks Skyline Transportation in honor of Bill have no doubt the next generation of
down, it isn’t truck number #123, it Reed Sr. The two recipients were Patrick leaders will be coming out of this
is Bob and Bob has a family to get room today.” TTP
home to. It really comes down to the
golden rule.”

This discussion tied in perfectly with
the work the YPC is doing throughout
the year with McGavock High School
to support their Transportation and
Aviation Academy’s diesel tech program,
teaching classes, and our involvement in
their annual “Spring Wing Fling.” This
year we were even fortunate enough to
have the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s
“Teens & Trucks” trailer out with us,
and the teens were able to use the driver
simulators to get a glimpse of what it is
like on the road! All agreed that not only
encouraging young people to enter the
industry but retaining current talent was
of the utmost importance.

Remote employees was another topic
discussed between the panelists. Rocky
gave some tips on how Adams and Reese
manages remote workers and Mike
and Jeff touched on the challenges that
trucking companies have with dispatch
teams who thrive on the camaraderie
between drivers and office staff. Both
mentioned in the beginning of COVID
when the staff worked from home it was
their top priority to bolster company
morale. Mike started an impromptu
poll of the audience on their views of
remote work and feedback was mixed.
Some were in favor of fully remote, some
hybrid, and some wanted to be in the
office where the action is!

The agenda for the coming up “Call
on Washington” was discussed as Jeff
went over a few topics he considered to
be critical to our industry. Tort reform,
truck parking, and the ability to use Pell
Grant and 529 Funds for Truck Driving

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 19

Venture Express

Venture’s safety director, Jason
Fucci, and company owners talk
about the company’s origins and
what makes this company tick

BY DAN CALABRESE
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAWRENCE KUZNIEWSKI

For all the efforts trucking companies to work for a company that cares about Fucci said. “Our families get together
make to build and burnish their their home lives and families – as well as on weekends or at events sometimes,
capabilities, one thing always rings true: for the company. and we want each other to succeed.
None of it matters if you don’t have That’s true in the safety department
enough drivers to haul the loads. “You can control your maintenance and the company as a whole. I’ve never
and manage your fuel purchases much worked at a company where everybody
And while recruiting and keeping better on a day-to-day basis as opposed to wants everybody else to succeed, and
drivers is consistently a priority – and to long-haul routes,” Jimmy Allen said. they work hard for each other. It’s a
varying degrees, a challenge – within the wonderful place.”
trucking industry, it has rarely been as And the company focuses on serving
pivotal as in the current market. a geographic area that makes the strategy The business payoff for Venture
work exceptionally well. Express is clear. Stability among the driver
Which is one reason Venture Express ranks means Venture Express can be
is thriving. “We are in a very confined territory,” reliably expected to have capacity when
Jimmy Allen said. “We go from Georgia, customers need it. It’s not just a matter
“We sort of saw the driver shortage Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee to of taking on the usual requests. It’s also
coming,” said CEO Brad Allen, who the north, and we haul a lot of freight having flexibility to tackle out-of-the-
explained that the company has put a through those states. We do peddle ordinary demands when others in the
significant emphasis on getting drivers runs from 275 to 300 miles outside our industry cannot.
home from most runs the same night home office. We run those to relay points
they start. While that isn’t always possible, and back home most nights with the “We work daily with our customers
since Venture Express does do long-haul exception of just a few long hauls.” and try to bring more value-added
runs, it’s been successful enough as a services with our customer base that we
priority that driver turnover is down to For Venture Express’s 1,000 drivers have a long-term relationship with – to
20 percent in an industry that’s churning – all of whom are company employees figure out what their issues are,” Brad
drivers at a much higher rate. – it creates a positive and supportive Allen said. “There are supply chain issues
environment that encourages them to everywhere. And while we are more of
Company founder (and Brad’s father) stay where they are. For safety director a dedicated carrier on a dedicated-type
Jimmy Allen says that focusing on peddle Jason Fucci,who came to the company as contract – people don’t look at us as
runs has allowed Venture Express to not a driver in 2002, it’s unlike anything he’s ‘Venture Express hauls the just-in-time
only master a profitable market niche, but seen in the industry.
it has been a boon for drivers who want
“We just really care about each other,”

CONTINUES 

20 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

“We just really care about each other. Our families get together on weekends
or at events sometimes, and we want each other to succeed. That’s true in
the safety department and the company as a whole. I’ve never worked at a

company where everybody wants everybody else to succeed, and they work
hard for each other. It’s a wonderful place.”

­—Jason Fucci, safety director, Venture Express

Venture's Leadership Team: Safety Director Jacon Fucci, VP of Operations Shawn Hicklen, and Operations Manager Todd Burks
Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 21

lane every day’ – if they’ve got parts to haul “I was awarded 5 percent of the business sure Venture Express was successful.”
and we’ve got the capacity, then our driver each year that I made a profit until the The one-truck operation expanded to
stays busy.” 10th year, and then it was 4 percent.”
four within 60 days. Two decades of steady
Venture Express was established in 1981 Allen had accumulated considerable growth followed and by the time Brad
as the result of several events – most of stock in the company by 1981, and he Allen joined the company in 1999, the
which were outside Jimmy Allen’s control, thought it made sense to sell the stock fleet had expanded to 85 trucks.
although he took decisive action in back to the company and go off on his
response to them. own. The only wrinkle was that they didn’t But the growth trajectory hasn’t always
offer cash for the stock. They were only been smooth.
Allen at the time had been working as a willing to offer real estate.
dispatcher for Murfreesboro Freight Lines, “We grew a ton between 1999 and
an LTL carrier based in Murfreesboro. No problem. Allen – a father of four 2008,” Brad Allen said. “And then the
In the 1970s, the industry was highly in his early 40s – took the real estate bottom dropped out of it with the
regulated, and Murfreesboro Freight Lines and borrowed against it to start Venture recession. And one of the things I thought
had near-exclusive rights to serve the Express. And it didn’t take long for him was brilliant and interesting at the
Murfreesboro area. to make an impact, even starting with same time was that I was trying to keep
only one truck. His first big account was everything busy, and you have a tendency
When deregulation came about in General Electric. His second was Ford to cut rates in times like those. And Dad is
1980, larger carriers were able to enter the Motor Glass Company. like, ‘Nope!’”
market and take away much of what had
been exclusive territory. With the market “I was familiar with a lot of the shippers Jimmy Allen was not willing to
so dramatically changed, Jimmy Allen had because I’d done business with them on devalue the company’s services in
to make a choice. the LTL side,” he recalled. “I was surprised response to a short-term market
how many of the traffic managers, as they dynamic. It made his son nervous not
“I was under a 10-year contract with were called at the time, wanted to make to cut the rates, but experience told
Murfreesboro Freight Lines,” he recalled. Jimmy a move like that would bring

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about long-term consequences. goes on, we’ll have a surplus.” we’ve saved through the accident review
“I’m stressing out because we had all For customers who have come to expect board we have,” Brad Allen said. “If
you just look at the police report, or an
our trucks parked out back,” Brad Allen disappointing answers from carriers, the eyewitness report, the driver is out of the
said. “But he was right. We were better response they’re getting from Venture industry. Now we can look at these videos
off parking those trucks than giving in to Express is a welcome surprise. and you realize there was nothing they
industry pressures.” could have done.”
“They can’t believe we have the capacity,”
Brad Allen was reminded of that Brad Allen said. “And we’re falling into Technology also eliminates the need
experience when COVID knocked the new business pretty easily because we have for drivers to call in and report things
industry backward. Of course, another the most precious commodity. We have like deliveries of loads, because it’s
impact of COVID was that it helped the driver.” automatically recorded.
contribute to the driver shortage that is
currently punching the industry in the gut. In addition to emphasizing relay runs “Our phone never rings in our home
and limiting long-haul runs, Venture office,” Brad Allen said.
And while Venture Express wouldn’t Express is also looking to take the stress
have wished a problem like that on out of drivers’ jobs with technology Fucci said the commitment to
the trucking industry, or on society, upgrades. One example is Nauto, an technology has been a staple of the
its commitment to keeping drivers inward- and outward-facing camera company during most of his 20-year
on board and happy is now reaping that helps review activity on the road, tenure, and the response of drivers has
significant rewards. including accidents. been very positive.

“Right now in our industry, he or she While it might be the sort of thing “We had electronic logs years before they
that has the drivers wins,” Brad Allen drivers would see as an intrusion, they’ve were required, along with crash mitigation
said. “Those are your most precious largely embraced it because it delivers one technology and equipment,” Fucci said.
commodity. We have never stopped hiring of the biggest benefits they could want.
and recruiting in hopes that, as this year CONTINUES 
“I can’t tell you how many driver jobs

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 23

He also cited Luma, an internet-based years as a driver in the industry and Venture Express in a position to respond
learning platform that Venture Express acknowledged that he’s never really found effectively when crucial industries have
uses heavily for training purposes. Both “a company I believed in” – either from come to them with opportunities. One
drivers and corporate staff use Luma to the perspective of driver or management – of the most significant has been the
help improve safety measures. before joining Venture Express. automotive industry, especially as it has
expanded in the south over the course of
“We have a commitment from our Initially in a driver position, Fucci the past three decades.
ownership group, Brad and Jimmy, to do moved into operations, then recruiting/
whatever it takes to be that safe company orientation, and by 2005 he settled in as “You’ve got a lot of automotive OEMs
that leads our industry in that area,” safety director. Having been a driver has in Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and
Fucci said. “And we hear all the time that given him credibility with other drivers, South Carolina,” Brad Allen said. “We’ve
safety drives the company. So that makes while his effectiveness in the role has grown our work with the automotive
my job easier.” helped him advocate for new measures to industry through relationships and by
seek further improvement. giving good service.”
Using Tableau software to document
the results, Fucci has found the results One such measure involved bringing That has required Venture Express to
are undeniable: These efforts have in a consulting firm in 2019. The excel at just-in-time delivery, which is a
significantly reduced the company’s consultants showed the company what staple of automotive-industry logistics.
accident rate. they were doing well and where they That just-in-time competence quickly
could improve, and the owners took the earned the company opportunities, as
“Since the implementation of the recommendations to heart. in 1982 Venture Express was the first to
cameras, our accident rate has been cut haul a load for Nissan North America
in half,” Fucci said. “I don’t know if that’s “The ownership looks at this and pays into Tennessee.
directly related to the cameras but it’s attention and says we can do this, let’s put
certainly a huge coincidence if it’s not.” together a plan,” Fucci said. “When it came to just-in-time, just-in-
sequence and other high-intensity type
Fucci joined the company after 11 Keeping drivers on board has put

BIG NEWS AT NACARATO!

Nacarato Truck Centers, a third-generation
family run dealership group since 1976,
completed the required training and facility
updates to become the first Volvo Trucks
Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealership in

Tennessee with its La Vergne, Tenn.
location, servicing the
greater Nashville market.

New electric vehicle at La Vergne, Tenn. location
24 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

moves, we cut our teeth with Nissan,” category, and Electrolux in appliances. “They’re worried about us and we’re
Brad Allen said. “Over the years, we Venture Express’s top 15 customers worried about them,” Brad Allen said.
were the largest domestic supplier (as “We’re waiting for this part shortage and
measured by revenue and by volume) for are all Fortune 50 companies, and they labor shortage to ease a little bit. And by
Nissan – and eventually for Honda, for have a variety of needs apart from over- keeping our workforce engaged now, that
Hyundai and for Kia.” the-road hauling and deliveries. While way we’re not just flipping a switch and
Venture Express knows its strengths, it having to go from 0 to 60. We’re ready to
When Honda, Kia and Hyundai also knows its customers – and finds go at that point.”
started building facilities in Alabama ways to respond to outside-the-box
in 2010, they already knew of Venture requests whenever it can. Along those lines, Venture
Express’s reputation delivering excellent Express is getting involved with
service to Nissan. That’s been especially important during services like collections, logistics and
difficult economic times. LTL consolidation.
“A lot of these OEMs, they speak to one
another when it comes time to assess a “We’ve been able to take other areas of “We’re looking for more value-added
core carrier or supplier,” Brad Allen said. logistics that we might not be as involved logistics services for our customer base,”
“The word-of-mouth when they know we with when things are normal, and step in Brad Allen said. “We’re looking at more
have that niche helps a lot.” because the other carriers might not have warehousing, doing more consolidation
the capacity,” Brad Allen said. “So we’re services, more LTL – trying to branch out
But automotive is not Venture Express’s still getting paid.” and grow other areas to add value to their
only niche. It also does significant business supply chain.”
with the appliance and corrugated The rewards for such efforts are not
paper industries. While Nissan remains only in the present. Keeping its workforce Geographically, Venture Express
the company’s biggest customer in fully engaged during economic down serves its customers in the Deep South
automotive, International Paper is the times keeps Venture Express prepared for
biggest customer in the corrugated the market’s inevitable upturn. Both the CONTINUES 
company and its customers see the benefit.

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by traveling throughout the area east of association presents a real opportunity Allen said. “But my biggest role is that
the Mississippi River from Ontario to for benchmarking. I have such a long relationship with
Alabama (“We’re like ants in that area,” manufacturers of truck equipment.”
Brad Allen says), while it also makes runs “From an idea standpoint it offers a lot
to the western United States – particularly of opportunities,” Brad Allen said. Jimmy Allen also takes an active
to Texas, Arizona and California. role in the company’s insurance
Today Venture Express runs 700 power coverage and its safety efforts. And
Excepting the Northeast and Northwest, units – a 50/50 mixture of company- Brad Allen confirmed that many of
the company has coverage throughout owned units and leased units from Ryder, the company’s financial arrangements
most of the country. which actually has a facility inside the wouldn’t be as advantageous without his
Venture Express headquarters to handle father’s involvement.
As the company has grown, and the leasing.
continues seeking growth, its membership “When we’re going to the table on
in the Tennessee Trucking Association has As part of a joint agreement, Venture financing or negotiating on anything we
been crucial. And Jimmy Allen is a past Express does the maintenance on the need financing for – power units, trailers,
president of TTA. trucks the company owns while Ryder whatever – Dad’s great,” Brad Allen said.
does the maintenance on the lease trucks. “He’s always getting the best deal for
“I realized back in 2001 what we could Venture Express.”
put together in terms of networking for Very much a family company, with
the carriers,” Jimmy Allen said. “Now a Brad firmly entrenched in the position of From 40-plus years with Venture
lot of vendors are also members and we CEO, Jimmy Allen continues to play an Express, not to mention his prior
are able to network both with vendors invaluable role in Venture Express’s success experience in the industry, Jimmy Allen
and truckers.” – even if he is humble in describing his knows it’s not enough for a company
own role. just to stay busy. In tough economic
Brad Allen described competitors who times it’s also a challenge to make that
are fellow TTA members as “friendly “I kindly assist him with any of the activity profitable.
allies,” and said membership in the older people in the industry, if I can,
by visiting them on occasion,” Jimmy

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“A lot of people are doing quite well but Having the contacts surely helped but do their jobs, without detracting from the
not increasing their revenue,” Jimmy Allen even if you can land initial contracts, you human touch that only the drivers can
said. “We just had the biggest (revenue) still have to perform. One botched haul bring on the road.
we’ve ever had last week. And we’re going or late delivery could have established a
to have tremendous growth in total bad reputation that would have kept the Taking good care of the drivers and
revenue this year. The first five months company from growing before it ever had giving them every opportunity to get
show that we have the numbers.” the chance to start. home at night maintains the company’s
capacity even when others in the industry
That’s the case even with the company Instead, Jimmy Allen led the company are grappling with massive turnover.
running only 1,600 loads a day, which is as it grew steadily through the 1980s and
down from the pre-COVID peak of 2,000. 1990s, exploded in the 2000s and then Taking advantage of solid industry
suddenly faced a recession that could have knowledge while mastering just-in-time
“We’re probably utilizing a little less wiped out a lesser company. capabilities makes it possible for the
equipment, but we’re getting better rates company to be the leaders in serving
and doing a better job moving our freight It took experience and a long-term industries such as automotive, appliances
than we ever have,” Jimmy Allen said. vision for Jimmy Allen to insist the and corrugated paper.
company hold firm on its rates while
It’s quite a story when you consider the trucks were parked out back and And a willingness to move into services
everything that could have gone wrong. competitors were undercutting them like warehousing, collections and LTL
on price. consolidation keeps adding new value – at
Faced with declining prospects at a time when customers are looking for all
his employer because of increasing But the constant has always been the value they can get.
competition brought on by deregulation, Venture Express’s commitment to its
Jimmy Allen chose – instead of bailing on drivers – to their safety, to their training It’s been a recipe for ongoing success and
the market or the industry – to go off on and to the technology that would make it’s put Venture Express in the strongest
his own with one truck and go after the it easier and more profitable for them to strategic position to remain prosperous
biggest players in the market. going forward. TTP

ESSENTIAL
(before it was cool)

From kitchen table meals, to classroom computers, to the medicine on the hospital
shelves, trucking has been the essential link to America’s critical deliveries. The trucking
industry is on the front lines working around the clock to make all of your deliveries on
time. Trucking makes that last-mile delivery for everything that is essential to our lives.

This National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, take time to #ThankATrucker.

/TruckingFWD

TruckingMovesAmerica.com

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 27

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Safety Zone

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

Driving a Big Rig across scenic BY MARTY POLLOCK article how business strategists are
Tennessee has to be one of the most TTA DIRECTOR OF SAFETY ratcheting up the odds of an economic
enjoyable things there is. downturn. The American Trucking
and leads to increased profitability. Association recently reported that
Here in Tennessee, trucking equals Timely preventive maintenance costs maintenance costs rose 3.7% in the
jobs. Driving a large truck safely is much less than reactive repairs, and fourth quarter of 2021, and are up
important and I wanted to take a can reduce overhead by thousands of more than 10% from the previous
look at the other side of the safety dollars a year. One of the main reasons year. To help, there are a number of
formula – Maintenance. for proper fleet maintenance is to companies specializing in programs
enhance driver safety. Truckers drive essential to keeping your fleet on
Keeping a Big Rig in good shape on dangerous roads and in inclement the road, maximizing profits, and
can be a daunting task in this post- weather. If the truck has faulty brakes, avoiding unexpected costs. The best
covid era. I recently had an industry smooth tires, or electrical problems combines real-time telematics to
leader tell me he had several power their health and safety is compromised. deliver efficiency, and help make more
units that needed repairs, but the lack Another reason is to protect the cargo informed maintenance decisions based
of available parts had him taking the you are carrying. Customers depend on on real-time data. Maintaining your
route of ‘Robbing Peter to pay Paul’ trucking companies they hire to move fleet in good condition and operating
or borrowing a good part from a unit goods from one location to another safely, is crucial to your bottom line.
waiting on some other back ordered safely and in a timely manner. Having “You can’t afford not to”.
part, just to get a unit back up trucks go out of service for unscheduled
and running. repairs causes missed deliveries and Stay in the Zone! TTN
delays in fulfilling obligations.
The BLT (Brakes, Lights, & Tires) of
a truck is essential to keeping trucks Daily, I see a headline or read an
on the road and the economy moving
forward. In 2021, there were 47,130
truck inspections conducted in the
state, with 31,721 truck violations
noted, and 17,062 of those were placed
Out of Service (OOS). A flat tire or
a tire having an audible leak was
discovered in 3,602 instances which
resulted in 99.60% of those being
placed OOS. A truck with ‘Brakes Out
of Service’ was discovered in 1,674
inspections, and 100% were place
OOS. An inoperative turn signal was
found 1,491 times, with an OOS rate of
61.05 percent.

Proper truck maintenance plays a
major role in reducing operating costs

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 29

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Going the Extra Mile

Mike Lathum shares an inside look at
Wooten Transports

BY DAN CALABRESE
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAWRENCE KUZNIEWSKI

Some companies grow and flourish
because they have a precise master plan
and follow it to the letter. It’s certainly a
way to go.

But some companies grow and flourish
because they’re ready to respond to
market needs and are agile enough to do
so effectively.

Wooten Transports Inc., which
was founded in 1943, is impossible to
categorize because – over the years – the
ongoing needs of the market have dictated
the categories the company embraces.

Dry bulk? Check, because the market
needs it.

Dedicated carriage? Someone is asking
for it.

Flat bed? There’s a demand and
someone has to fill it.

Liquid tankers? When customers are
looking to you for help, you find a way.

In fact, while the company temporarily
exited the liquid tanker market in the
1990s except for a few tar and asphalt
tankers (only to return in response
to customer demand), the company’s
founding saw it focused exclusively on
hauling gasoline, jet fuel and lube oil.

And it should surprise no one that
Wooten Transports has expanded its
offerings over the years in response
to customer demand – because it was
customer demand that brought about
its founding.

Founder W.H. Wooten, who was
working as a jobber for Amoco in the
early 1940s – under the guise of Wooten

30 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

Oil Company – was through more training to get the product “I’m thankful to have
hauling his own products delivered correctly.” my father, who is able to
in his own trucks. provide guidance to me,”
When some of his This is where Wooten’s veteran driver Lathum said. “And now
customers asked him to force is critical. The company today has I have my daughter and
start hauling loads for 63 company trucks and 55 company- my son-in-law, who give
them as well, he saw the employed drivers, in addition to three me hope that it can keep
opportunity to establish owner/operators. going into the future.”
Wooten Transports.
“We’ve got company drivers who have As with many
While the company been with us since the ’70s, and several companies in the
originally hauled who have been with us since the ’80s,” trucking industry,
petroleum products Lathum said. “The top half of our driver Lathum names the
between Memphis board has been here for a long time. That current driver shortage
and points in west helps, especially since having guys who as his biggest challenge.
Tennessee, it soon have been here such a long time cuts down And even though the
expanded to serve on our training.” company’s driver roster
surrounding states has been relatively
– also hauling asphalt, tar products, While the Wooten name remains stable given its high percentage of veteran
residual fuel oil and compressed gases. as the company’s identity, it is now a drivers, that presents a coming challenge
Lathum family business. D.J. Lathum for Wooten Transports.
Current company president Mike started working for W.H. Wooten in the “A lot of our drivers are nearing
Lathum says the company has pushed 1950s and joined with another long-time retirement age and trying to get new
itself into new areas whenever it has employee to purchase the company from drivers to replace them – that’s what I see
seen demand. its founder in the 1980s. A few years later, as the biggest concern right now,” Lathum
D.J. and Genevieve Lathum bought out his said. “How hard it is to get new, younger
“The flatbeds have just kind of partner and became the sole owners. drivers on board in the trucking industry.”
evolved by customer request, through It’s also becoming a challenge to bring
acquaintances with people in different Today, the company is a joint venture in new trucks. Lathum said the company
industries that I’ve met,” Lathum said. between D.J. and Mike Lathum – the latter is purchasing new trucks this year that’s
having joined the company full-time in the exact same model as the ones it
That evolution saw Wooten take on the 1982. He began as a summer employee purchased last year – and is having to pay
hauling of cement, fly ash, clay and lime in during his junior year of high school. $10,000 - $15,000 more this time around.
the 1960s, when it also opened up a new At the same time, manufacturers are
terminal in Nashville. The company also Mike Lathum became the company adding surcharges to existing purchase
added dedicated carriage service in 1997, president 15 years ago but his father D.J., agreements. Trucks ordered for 2023 are
including a power unit with driver service who is now 82 years old, still comes to the up $25,000 - $30,000 over 2021 and are
for the benefit of customers who own office every day. subject to additional surcharges.
specialized trailers. “One truck manufacturer has come
to us two or three times and said there’s
At one point, Wooten looked to going to be an additional surcharge of
exit its original market of hauling $3,000, and then another for $3,000,”
petroleum products, as Transport South Lathum said. “Whether we can recoup
bought Wooten’s petroleum products these costs and pass them along to our
division in the mid-1990s. But again, customers as quickly as we’re getting them
customer demand eventually brought is a concern too.”
the company back into that area, and Of course, the cost of fuel is affecting
today 75 percent of its business involves everyone in the industry right now. And
hazardous materials. Lathum points out that the impact of oil

“That requires additional training CONTINUES 
for drivers and other employees in how
to handle it,” Lathum said. “It’s a little
different from your flat-bed carrier, from
your dry-van carrier and from some of
the tanker carriers. The drivers must go

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 31

7,000 truckingTENNESSEE
truckingTENNESSEE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE truckingTENNESSEE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
OF THE TENNESSEE OF THE TENNESSEE OF THE TENNESSEE
TRUCKING ASSOCIATION TRUCKING ASSOCIATION TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

Q4 WINTER 2019-2020 Q3 FALL 2019 Q2 SUMMER 2019

$4.95 VALUE $4.95 VALUE $4.95 VALUE

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 CFMLCESAA’SRDIRNUGG&HAOLCUOHSOEL
& Major Brandon Douglas, THP
Donna England TTA’s 1st Convention Expo
Tennessee Trucking Association
THE FUTURE IS NOW
AUTOMATED TRUCKS: Tennessee Trucking Association’s
One Set of Rules Needed, Not 50 New Young Professional Council is
paving the way for future leadership.
Trucks: Buying vs Leasing

TTA’s 2020 Road Team

READERS STRONG

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

price hikes extends well beyond the cost at But it returned to TTA five years because trucking is 24 hours a day,
the pump. ago and now enjoys a wide range of seven days a week. Most of them we’ve
advantages as a result – including met in our organization, and most of
“Lube oils have gone up, as have parts information on relevant legislation, new the people we’ve met in the Tennessee
prices,” Lathum said. “One of our suppliers training requirements for drivers and Trucking Association seem like
said they’ve gone up 25 percent over the other essential issues. genuinely good people.”
last year. And freight has gone up because
of fuel prices, so they’ve had to tack those “There is value added to membership,” And while he appreciates the living it’s
prices on top of fuel prices. And tires have Lathum said. “I got to meet (executive provided to multiple generations of his
gone up. It just kind of snowballs.” director) Donna England and she’s been family, Lathum does not think a career in
a remarkable resource any time I have trucking can be characterized as a “job.”
When the cost of business goes up like a question or a need. And if she doesn’t
that – not to mention the cost of retaining know the answer, she can say, ‘Call this “It’s provided me a living over many
the best employees and attracting new person here and they’ll be glad to talk years,” he said. “My mother and my father
ones – trucking companies have little about it.’ It’s great to have the network have made a good living over the years. It’s
choice but to raise their prices. Of course, of the whole Tennessee Trucking a good industry. It’s not an easy industry
there is always concern about alienating Association, in addition to Donna by any means. Long hours. Phone calls in
customers who have been used to certain England and the whole staff up there.” the middle of the night. Working holidays,
rates for many years. stuff like that.”
Lathum is now encouraging his
“Being able to adjust your rates so as daughter and son-in-law, whom he sees as He’s not complaining, though. Perhaps
not to alienate your customer base, but Wooten Transports’s future leaders, to get he’s taking a cue from the 82-year-old
still be able to pay a fair market wage to involved with TTA as well. father who still gets after it every day.
keep those experienced drivers you need Presumably it’s also making an impression
for hazmat is critical,” Lathum said. “It’s And while he acknowledges the on the next generation of the family, which
expensive to repair trucks and trailers industry faces many challenges, appears poised and ready to move into
these days.” Lathum remains fond of trucking and leadership when the time is right.
of the impact it has on society and on
As it takes on all these issues, Wooten his own life. And that experienced group of drivers
Transports has found exceptional value seems to confirm that, for all its challenges,
in rejoining the Tennessee Trucking “Most of the people in the trucking trucking is a great industry to call home.
Association. The company was a business are good, hard-working
member up until the recession of 2009, people who go the extra mile, anywhere “We’ve got a great workforce that helps
when it had to prioritize cutting costs from drivers to staff,” Lathum said. “It keep us thriving,” Lathum said. “And
wherever possible. takes more than just an 8-to-5 person, they go the extra mile to make sure the
customers are happy.” TTN

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 33

Tennessee Trucking Association’s

2022 Truck Driving Championship

PRE TRIP ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Phil Shelton Walmart Transportation Troi Bailey FedEx Freight

GRAND CHAMPION INSPECTOR CHALLENGE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Darrell Gribble Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Trp Alex Carrick Lynne & Shane Deppermann

TEAM TROPHY DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Martin Brower Bobby Mallory Big G Express, Inc.

Averitt Express, Inc. – Judges Lunch Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. – Scoring
– Judges Lunch Pilot Flying J – Judges Gift
Rushing Enterprises, Inc. – Sleeper Class TCW, Inc. – Pre-Trip
Tennessee Steel Haulers, Inc. – Tanker Class
Big G Expess, Inc. TForce Freight – Trophy
Christenson Transportation, Inc. – Course Titan Transfer, Inc. – Challenge Coin
– Banquet Vertical Alliance Group – Premier
Clarke Power Services – Written Test S&E Productions – AV Equipment
The Martin-Brower Company – Lunch
Cummins , Inc. – Insurance Walmart Transportation LLC – Lunch

Danny Herman Trucking, Inc. – Kids Tent

FedEx Freight Corporation – Balloon Artist

MHC Kenworth - Nashville

34 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

Tennessee Trucking Association’s

2022 Truck Driving Championship

STEP VAN 1st Place STEP VAN 2nd Place STEP VAN 3rd Place STRAIGHTTRUCK 1ST PLACE STRAIGHTTRUCK 2ndPlace
Glenn Campbell Kevin Carter | FedEx Freight Roy Daniels Darrell Gribble Old Christopher Sargent
FedEx Ground FedEx Freight
(Pictured Mark Copas) FedEx Ground Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

STRAIGHT TRUCK 3rd Place THREE AXLE VAN 1st Place THREE AXEL VAN 2nd Place THREE AXLE VAN 3rd Place FOUR AXLE VAN 1st Place
Tom Bright Brian Turner Gary Luster Terry Certain Thomas Vandivort
XPO Logistics Martin Brower
FedEx Freight Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. FedEx Freight

FOUR AXLE VAN 2nd Place FOUR AXLE VAN 3rd Place FIVE AXLE VAN 1st Place FIVE AXLE VAN 2nd Place FIVE AXLE VAN 3rd Place
Elliot Davenport Mike Hickson Thomas Seely David Butler John Adnerson
XPO Logistics Martin Brower Averitt Express TCW
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

TANK 1st Place TANK 2nd Place TANK 3rd Place FLATBED 1st Place FLATBED 2nd Place
Ray Shelton Covey Thompson Troi Bailey Don Boone Phil Shelton
FedEx Freight FedEx Freight
Martin Brower FedEx Freight Walmart Transportation

FLATBED 3rd Place TWIN TRAILERS 1st Place TWIN TRAILERS 2nd Place TWIN TRAILERS 3rd Place SLEEPER 1st Place
Chris Gerig Mick Gailbraith Michael Young Ronny Hammil Stephen McCoy
XPO Logistics FedEx Freight FedEx Freight Martin Brower
Martin Brower
SLEEPER 2nd Place SLEEPER 3rd Place TSC SPONSORS Danny Herman Trucking, Inc. – Insurance
Jeff Barton Fontaine Fifth Wheel Co. – Written Exam
Frank Satterfield Vertical Alliance Group – EXPO Center JOST International – ½ Station
Skyline Transportation FedEx Freight Clarke Power Services, Inc. – Cash Award Cummins , Inc. – ½ Station
McKee Foods Transportation, LLC – Lunch Meritor, Inc. – Cash Award
Christenson Transportation, Inc. – Trophy Imperial Supplies LLC – Cash Award

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 35

Tennessee Trucking Association’s

2022 Technician Skills Competition

SERVICE INFORMATION FASTENERS
Andrew Grimm Jeremiah Carter
Averitt Express, Inc.
Clarke Power Services, Inc.

ELECTRICAL GRAND CHAMPION SUSPENSION
Bradford Calfee Shane RedKnap Shane RedKnap
Walmart Transportation Ozark Motor Lines, Inc.
Ozark Motor Lines, Inc.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE 2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE
Dylan Gusler Jeremiah Carter Andrew Grimm
Averitt Express, Inc. Clarke Power Services, Inc.
Averitt Express, Inc.

WRITTEN TEST TRANSMISSION BRAKES ENGINE
Bradford Calfee Shane Redknap Jeremiah Carter Bradford Calfee
Walmart Transportation Ozark Motor Lines, Inc. Averitt Express, Inc. Walmart Transportation

36 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

A Closer Look...

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

75-kW charging station to support the battery-electric trucks. NACARATO TRUCK CENTERS quickly expand their network of EV certified technicians, including four at the
BECOMES FIRST VOLVO TRUCKS dealerships to their other locations.” La Vergne location.
CERTIFIED EV DEALERSHIP
IN TENNESSEE  Nacarato Truck Centers has also To learn more about Volvo Trucks
made investments in its facilities and North America and the Volvo VNR
Nacarato Truck necessary vehicle diagnostics tools to Electric, visit the company website.
Centers, a third- assist customers with their electromobility
generation family journey including installing a 75-kW INTEGRATE PREPASS WEIGH
run dealership charging station to support the battery- STATION BYPASS WITH YOUR
group since 1976, electric trucks. There is currently one TRUCKING TECHNOLOGY
completed the bay on site dedicated to servicing electric
required training trucks as well as a stock of key parts and Motor carriers and truck drivers
and facility updates components to minimize service times perform in an extraordinarily complex
to become the and quickly get customers back on environment. Fortunately, trucking
first Volvo Trucks the road. telematics and navigation providers
Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealership have onboard platforms to ease this
in its La Vergne, Tenn. location. This is “Customer inquiries about electric complexity. Weigh station bypass
the second location to be certified for truck availability have definitely increased also helps, allowing safe, qualified
Nacarato with the first being in Virginia. in the last few months and they are more motor carriers to skip the scales and
Nacarato operates a network of Volvo than just fact-finding conversations,” said inspections, saving significant time, fuel,
Trucks dealerships and service centers Pat Daily, chief operating officer, Nacarato and money.
throughout Tennessee, Virginia, Southern Truck Centers. “They are interested and
Kentucky, Maryland, and Georgia. The ready to begin the transition to integrate However, the more devices and
dealership group plans to complete the battery-electric vehicles into their fleet screens a truck driver must keep an eye
certification at all eight of its dealerships and that is why we made the investments on, the less time those same eyes are
and is already in the process of certifying to become only the second dealer group watching the road ahead. That’s why
its Hagerstown, Md. location. in North America to have multiple PrePass partners with leading telematics
“Nacarato Truck Centers continues locations certified to support the growing and navigation service providers to
to be an excellent dealer partner interest in battery-electric trucks.” integrate the PrePass weigh station
and electromobility leader,” said bypass application into one device.
Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo The rigorous Volvo Trucks Certified EV
Trucks North America. “It is Dealer program was designed to ensure Now trucking companies who choose
fantastic to see the Nacarato team that sales teams are fully trained to consult these solutions from Garmin, Geotab,
apply the experience they gained in with customers who are considering Omnitracs, or Pedigree Technologies
Virginia, where they are supporting deploying Volvo VNR Electrics to ensure can also receive PrePass on-screen
fleet customers who are utilizing they are selecting a model configuration notifications of upcoming weigh
Volvo VNR Electrics to transport that is technically viable based on their stations and bypass decisions. One
inbound parts and components to operating requirements. device, one screen.
the Volvo Trucks New River Valley
Assembly Operations, to be able to The certification also means the Learn more about integrating
dealership is able to provide technicians PrePass with your trucking technology
with the proper technical training by visiting PrePass.com/partners or
required to maintain electric drivetrains call 1-800-773-7277 – Opt. 2. TTN
and components, as well as understand all
safety procedures to follow when working
with high-voltage systems. Nacarato
Truck Centers now has a total of 12

Q2 SUMMER 2022 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 37

Calendar of Events Tennessee Trucking News

AUGUST 25-29 TMC Super Tech Competition— ADVERTISING
10 Knoxville Scales Roadside Cleveland, OH RESOURCE INDEX
28 Giles Co Roadside Inspection
15 West TN Big Rigs for Little Adams and Reese LLP 13
Kids Golf Tournament OCTOBER
5 Southeast TN Big Rigs for Little ATA Comp Fund 25
16-19 NTDC Indianapolis, IN Kids Golf Tournament
5 Manchester Scales Roadside Clarke Power Services 22
26 Greeneville Scales Roadside 13-14 Fall Conference
20-21 NATMI Safety & DCLI 10
30 NATMI Innovative Driver DOT Compliance
Retention Strategies 22-26 MCE—San Diego, CA Drivers Legal Plan 23
26 Brownsville Scales Roadside
SEPTEMBER Great West Casualty Company
1 East TN Sporting Clay NOVEMBER INSIDE FRONT COVER
Shoot—Iron Mountain 3 West TN Sporting Clay Shoot
Navistar International INSIDE BACK COVER
18-20 TTA 92nd Annual Convention
at Sandestin Beach Hilton,
Destin, FL

Joe Morten & Sons 16

McMahon Truck Group 17

New TTA Members MHC Kenworth 8
Nacarato Truck Group 24
Velocity Truck Group
4

ALLIED PrePass Safety Alliance 28
7FLEET Diesel Network
160 Driving Academy Rush Truck Center BACK COVER
Allison Transmission, Inc.
Best One Tire Jackson Southern Tire Mart 3

BeyondTrucks TA Truck Service 10
Clay & Land Insurance
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center TAG Truck Center 6

Elegant E-Learning Tennessee Trucking News 32
Fast Fleet
Truckers Against Trafficking 26
Fountain Equipment Finance
Hyliion Trucking Moves America Forward 27

JB&B Capital This edition of Tennessee Trucking News was
Moran Agency made possible with the support of these corporate
advertisers, all TTA members. They support the
Orange EV trucking industry by enabling Tennessee Trucking
Reasonea Association to provide this publication to its
Simpson & Lillie, PLLC members, prospective members, elected officials
and the business community at large. They deserve
  your consideration and patronage when making
CARRIER your corporate purchasing decisions. Thank you!
Heniff Transportation
Phillips and Jordan Inc.
TForce Freight

38 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q2 SUMMER 2022

JCJiOimmRPPOPRiinAnTddEeeFrrLEET DIRECTOR

CORPORATE FLEET DIRECTOR

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Lebanon TN (615) 994-3115 Knoxville TN (865) 637-4881 Chattanooga TN (423) 622-4161 Union City TN (731) 885-9302

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