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Official Magazine of the Tennessee Trucking Association

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Published by Matthews Publishing Group, 2017-05-19 09:28:52

Tennessee Trucking News Q1 Spring 2017 -- Nick D'Anrdrea, UPS

Official Magazine of the Tennessee Trucking Association

Keywords: trucking,business,news,politics,social

truckingTENNESSEE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
OF THE TENNESSEE
TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

Q1 SPRING 2017

$4.95 VALUE

NEWS

The Nation’s
Worst Truck
Bottle-Necks
In-Cab Cameras
TTA’s Road

Team

a seat at
the table

with Nick D’Andrea of UPS
MemberSpotlight TOMMY EARL & THE TAG TRUCK CENTER TEAM



Tennessee Trucking News OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

FroTmABwLhEerOe FyoCuOsiNt, TENTSQ1 SPRING 2017
TIME IS COVER
18 Nick D’Andrea, UPS
A Seat at the Table
D’Andrea sees the good in
MONEY.9 what he does and in those
with whom he works.

BY STEVE BRAWNER

FEATURES

ATRI’s Bottle-
Neck Survey

BY REBECCA BREWSTER

“The less I stop, 13 In-Cab Camera
the more I make.” Technology
Is Your Friend
- Scott R., proud PrePass customer Evidence indicates that in-cab
cameras are providing good,
relevant data for all

BY RENEE MILLER

25 TTA’s Road Team

BY CATHERINE STUART

31 Member Spotlight: 
Tommy Earl and the TAG
Truck Center Team

BY TODD TRAUB

The proven solution for DEPARTMENTS
bypassing and to1ls saves
time, fuel and money. 5 From the Chairman:
by Wayland Thompson

7 From the President:
by Dave Huneryager

34 Calendar of Events

34 TTA New Members
83545-9A9d8v-e7r2ti7s7er|RPerseoPuarcsseNInodwe.xcom

ATTENTION TTA MEMBERS! Mention promo code TTA and we’ll pay your first invoice.

IMAGES ON COVER AND THIS PAGE
OF NICK D’ANDREA BY CLAY COOK.

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT AND ITS MEMBERS

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 3

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

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One man’s dream has become a full service
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rienced sales force and state-of-the-art body shop. We may have grown substantially since 1951, but our objective is
still the same…

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

Nashville, TN - (615)244-8900 - (800)367-7712
Decatur, AL - (256)350-1630 - (800)433-6351

www.neelycoble.com

truckingTENNESSEE Chairman’s Message
NEWS
We have a few checks we can mark off so far this
Official Magazine of the Tennessee Trucking Association year: taxes paid, election year over, and we are
almost at half way point of 2017, what’s that old
Tennessee Trucking News is owned by the Tennessee Trucking country song “time marches on”. We have had a busy
Association and is published quarterly by Matthews Publishing year after the election with the Call on Nashville and our Call on Washington. We had a good
delegation attend both thanks to all who attended.
Group. For additional copies, to order reprints of individual
articles or to become a subscriber to Tennessee Trucking I have to say when you paid your dues you got your money’s worth this year on the
News, contact Carol Foster at [email protected] political side of things. We were in front of the legislatures at the state capital on several issues:
Infrastructure and how it can be paid, congestion in Nashville, Memphis, & Chattanooga.
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake We communicated how we think that pay as you go is the best for all and to come up with a
[email protected] fair assessment in the fuel tax and get the congestion, roads, & bridges fixed. We were asked
to Governor Haslam’s unveiling of his tax plan known as the Improve Act. When all the dust
Executive Editor Dave Huneryager settled I think all of the members of the TTA will be satisfied that our states infrastructure is on
[email protected] the mend and will be paid for “as we go”. We are sure lucky to have Dale Allen and his team to
help maneuver us through political minefields.
Art Director C. Waynette Traub
[email protected] Then we headed to Washington DC now that’s different picture all together. We started
off by visiting the ATA office with a briefing of issues in front of our industry. ATA is always
Photographers Larry Kuzniewski informative of the issues. We again made face to face visits with all our congressmen and
Caleb Shane Lollar congresswomen and communicated the desperate need for nation’s infrastructure to be
Tiffany Thrasher Lyles addressed, the California F4A issue, and we don’t like tolls. We also met with both our senators’
John David Pittman staffs. We were not able to meet with the senators due to their busy schedule. I mentioned this
in a newsletter but it’s worth repeating, if our nations congressmen and senators would take
Catherine Stuart a lesson from our state legislators and cross the aisle and work together with each other, they
might get some things done, like our state passing the Improve act. It’s a mess up there in D.C.
Contributing Writers Steve Brawner and most folks are worried about what side of the aisle you’re on and not the folks that elect
Kelly Cargill Crow them. I believe they want to do the right thing and we encouraged them to do the best they
could for the Trucking industry. I agree with and old folk hero Will Roger said “Even if you’re
Sam Eifling on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”.
Eric Francis
Jennifer Barnett Reed I will part with this note, we are part of something special here at TTA. I would ask you all
John Schulz to take a minute to think about where we would all be without this industry? The trucking
Todd Traub industry has feed and clothed my family most of my adult life over 35 years. It seems most of
my job as chairman is to ask for something from its members. I would like to ask you, if you
Illustrator Brent Bennett are as thankful as I am for this industry and association and what it does for us all? If so, I
[email protected] would ask that you give back to an industry and organization like the TTA with your time and
resources. Get involved with the TTA PAC, TTA Foundation, TTA membership drive, pick
Ad Production Doug Benjamin one, or if you want an easy out just write a check to the TTA PAC, TTA Foundation, you can
Deah Chisenhall do that too. My Dad always said, if you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know what
you are doing. Love what you are doing, and believe in what you are doing!
www.TNTrucking.org
Tennessee Trucking Association Staff Wayland Thompson
Chairman FirstFleet and TTA Chairman
President & CEO [email protected]
Dave Huneryager
[email protected] Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 5

Director of Safety
Edmond Sorrell

[email protected]

Membership Coordinator
Donna Tomlinson

[email protected]

Foundation Coordinator
Catherine Stuart

[email protected]

Administrative Coordinator
Carol Foster

[email protected]

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 a airs representative
before legislative, regulatory and executive branches of government on issues
that a ect the trucking industry. The organization also provides public relations
services, operation services and serves as a forum for industry meetings and
membership relations.

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

www.TAGTRUCKCENTER.com

From The President

Tennessee Trucking Association
Executive Committee

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Investment In The Place We Work!

WAYLAND THOMPSON The place where our members work every day got a much needed
increase in infrastructure investment! The Tennessee General Assembly voted
FirstFleet, Inc.
to pass Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, giving the state its largest tax cut in history,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE including a 20 percent tax cut on food and the first gas and diesel tax increase in decades.

President & CEO Secretary The IMPROVE Act (Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads and Opportunities for
DAVE HUNERYAGER JIM MOSBY a Vibrant Economy) went to the governor’s desk after the Senate bill passed 25-6. The
Tennessee Trucking Association House version passed 60-37.
FirstBank
The House voted to adopt the Senate’s version of the bill, which prioritizes 962 projects
ATA State Vice President Treasurer across all of Tennessee’s 95 counties, addressing a $10.5 billion backlog in repairs and
SCOTT GEORGE SCOTT SCHUMPERT updates. The legislation also includes a local option for municipalities to hold their own
TCW, Inc. Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPSs referendums for tax increases to fund local transportation needs and provides property
tax relief to veterans and the elderly.
TruckPAC Co-Chairman East Tenn. Vice Chairman
DAVE MANNING Jeff Reed “The IMPROVE Act is a conservative plan that directly addresses how we fund our
TCW, Inc. roads and bridges for the first time in 30 years. I thank the General Assembly for passing
Skyline Transportation IMPROVE, and especially Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Rep.
Barry Doss, R-Leoma, and Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, for their work carrying the
TruckPAC Co-Chairman Middle Tenn. Vice Chairman legislation,” Governor Haslam explained.
TERRY MINOR MIKE MCFARLIN
The increase in the user fees also means Tennessee residents won’t be the only ones
Cumberland International M & W Transportation Co., Inc. shouldering the burden, as revenue will be captured from visiting tourists and the
Trucks, Inc. Southeast Tenn. Vice commercial motor vehicles that move goods through the state. This continues Tennessee’s
Chairman long standing practice of debt free, pay-as-you-go infrastructure, meaning the people who
TTF President CONNIE VAUGHAN use the roads pay for their upkeep, a position we have favored for many years, and one
TOMMY HODGES which has served us extremely well.
Titan Transfer, Inc. McKee Foods Transportation,
Allied Vice Chairman LLC In my opinion, Governor Haslam, Commissioner Schroer and numerous Senators and
Representatives have spent a great deal of time over the past year and a half educating
TROY DICKENS West Tenn. Vice Chairman Tennesseans and making the case for additional funding, identifying billions in
Rush Truck Center, Nashville JASON HIGGINBOTHAM backlogged projects.
Immediate Past Chairman Ozark Motor Lines, Inc.
This is a comprehensive, user based approach, meaning all users are contributing;
JOHN ROSS Non-Domiciled Vice trucks, cars, as well as alternative powered vehicles that run on LNG, CNG or electric.
Milan Supply Chain Solutions Chairman
This plan will improve our roads and bridges while reducing congested freight and
General Counsel NICK D’ANDREA mobility bottlenecks and improving our economic competiveness.
C. DALE ALLEN UPS
Adams and Reese LLP Dave Huneryager
President, Tennessee Trucking Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS [email protected]

DIRECTORS AT LARGE JIM BRIGGS Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 7
Advanced Ergonomics, Inc.
BRAD ALLEN
Venture Express JOE NACARATO
Nacarato Volvo Trucks, Inc.
BETH FRANKLIN
Multi-Task Solutions EDDIE WAYLAND
King & Ballow
STEVE FRANKLIN
Multi-Task Solutions BILL TIRRILL
Fleetco, Inc.
Jerry Hampton
Pinnacle Bank SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE

LARRY LEFKOVITZ MAX FULLER
McLeod Software U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

JOE SHARP JOE SMITH
Western Express Kenco Transportation Services

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

ROB RHEA TOMMY THAXTON
FedEx Freight Best One Tire & Service

WAYNE WEAVER NATHANIEL GOGGANS
Rapid Ways Leasing Justitia Law Firm PLLC

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

BRUCE CAMPBELL TIM GATLIN
Forward Air Corp. Empire Express, Inc.

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

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

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

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

BRAD RAHRER JOSH GRODIN
Portland Express, inc. Ryder System Inc.

ALLIE SHARP SCHWALB MIKE KELLEY
Sharp Transport, Inc. YRC Worldwide, Inc.

JOHN WALTON HAL DOWLAND
Averitt Express, Inc. HELP, Inc., Provider of PrePass

BILL BOB WEST GREG SHIPMAN
R.E. West, Inc. Vertical Alliance Group



The Nation’s
Worst Truck

Bottlenecks BYREBECCAM.BREWSTER
GUEST WRITER

The American Transportation Research Institute For the second straight year, Atlanta’s “Spaghetti Junction,”
the intersection of Interstates 285 and 85 North is the most
(ATRI) recently released its 2017 Top Truck congested freight bottleneck in the country. The rest of the
Top 10 includes:
Bottleneck List, which assesses the level of truck-
2. I-95 at State Route 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey
oriented congestion at 250 locations on the national 3. I-290 at I-90/94 in Chicago
highway system. The analysis generates from a database 4. I-65 at I-64/71 in Louisville, Kentucky
of truck GPS data from 600,000+ heavy duty trucks and 5. I-71 at I-75 in Cincinnati
uses several customized software applications and analysis 6. SR 60 at SR 57 in Los Angeles
methods, along with terabytes of data from trucking 7. SR 18 at SR 167 in Auburn, Washington
operations to produce a congestion impact ranking for each 8. I-45 at US 59 in Houston
location. The data is associated with the FHWA-sponsored 9. I-75 at I-285 North in Atlanta
Freight Performance Measures initiative. The locations 10. I-5 at I-90 in Seattle
detailed in this latest ATRI list represent the top 100 congested
locations. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 9

Tennessee is home to four of the
nation’s top truck bottlenecks:

Rank Location Average Peak Speed Year-Over-Year Change in Rank
20 I-24 at I-440 North in Nashville 34 MPH Up 10
29 I-65 at I-24 in Nashville 38 MPH Up 5
32 I-40 at I-240 East in Memphis 36 MPH Up 17
48 I-40 at I-65 East in Nashville 34 MPH Up 14

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 severity of congestion at these Tennessee trucks, and the economy, moving.”
chokepoints. Tennessee’s neighbor to the south,
Average trucks speeds at the four
Tennessee locations is just over 35 MPH “Tennessee’s large manufacturing base Georgia, is another hotspot for truck
during peak travel times. And, when and continued job growth make trucks bottlenecks, with seven of the top 100
trucks are traveling that slowly, cars are a lynchpin of the state’s economy,” said bottlenecks in the Atlanta area, including
clearly impacted by congestion at those Tennessee Trucking Association President the number one location at Spaghetti
locations as well. With all four Tennessee Dave Huneryager. “As such, reducing Junction (i-285 at I-85 North). With the
bottlenecks now in the top 50 nationwide, congestion in these freight bottlenecks is recent collapse of I-85 (not far from the
the year-over-year change in ranking from included the Governor’s recently unveiled #1 location) due to a fire, Atlanta’s truck
the last year’s list also demonstrates the IMPROVE Act. ATRI’s analysis allows us bottlenecks are likely to hold onto their top
to target state and federal resources to keep rankings for some time to come.

OUT IN FRONT

DALE ALLEN TONY SWAFFORD ROCKY KING HOLLY McDANIEL CANNON ALLEN MARK NORRIS BEN FOX JEFF BROOKS
Partner Partner Associate Governmental Affairs Advisor Partner Special Counsel Partner Partner
Nashville Nashville Nashville (non-lawyer) Memphis Memphis Memphis Washington, DC
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Nashville [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected]

transportation and logistics

Our Adams and Reese Transportation and Logistics Team advises clients on issues relating to the entire supply chain and
all modes of transportation: highway, water, air, rail, and pipeline. We understand the particular demands and complexities

of the industry, and therefore, maintain real-time knowledge of statutory, regulatory, and legal decisions that impact your
business. Through our governmental relations team and our membership and leadership in several transportation industry

organizations, we stay up-to-date on relevant legal developments on a regional, national and international level.

www.adamsandreese.com
Fifth Third Center | 424 Church Street, Suite 2700 | Nashville, TN 37219 | 615.259.1450

Crescent Center | 6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 700 | Memphis, TN 38119 | 901.525.3234
ALABAMA | FLORIDA | LOUISIANA | MISSISSIPPI | SOUTH CAROLINA | TENNESSEE | TEXAS | WASHINGTON, DC

No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of the legal services performed by other lawyers. Contact: Guilford F. Thornton, Jr.

10 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2017

“With President Trump expected Carriers and drivers are
to press for significant long-term strongly encouraged to utilize
infrastructure spending, this ATRI analysis the time-of-day profiles in
should be a key guide for deciding what route planning and in talking
projects are worthy of funding,” said to customers about schedule
American Trucking Associations President expectations in those locations
Chris Spear. “Ensuring the safe and that traverse through the
efficient movement of goods should be worst bottlenecks.
a national priority and this report draws
attention to the places where our highway showing the best and worst times to travel and slowdowns in the system is important
network needs improvement in order to through that area based on congestion for motor carriers and our professional
meet that goal.” levels. Carriers and drivers are strongly drivers, making this analysis a key tool for
encouraged to utilize the time-of-day identifying where and when to route our
ATRI’s annual bottleneck analysis profiles in route planning and in talking to trucks to avoid congestion,” said Prime Inc.
gets results. In 2012, the State of Illinois customers about schedule expectations in President and CEO Robert Low. TTN
commenced work on the reconstruction those locations that traverse through the
of the Chicago Circle Interchange based worst bottlenecks. Rebecca M. Brewster is president and COO of the
on its ATRI ranking as the nation’s #1 American Transportation Research Institute and
bottleneck. The $500 million project is “Trucks move 70 percent of the nation’s may be reached at [email protected]
expected to be completed by 2019. goods, so knowing where there are kinks

The entire list is available on ATRI’s
website and can be sorted by state. For
each bottleneck location on the list, ATRI
provides a detailed time-of-day profile

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Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 11

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In-Cab Camera
Technology Is
Your Friend

Evidence indicates
that in-cab cameras
are providing good,
relevant data for all

BY RENEE MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s late at night in a truck stop the technology. In some cases, the camera believe the data we receive enables us to
system is integrated with other safety identify unsafe drivers who are resistant
parking lot: A new driver is technologies that are helping to reduce to coaching before they are involved in an
the number of unfit drivers, minimize accident.”
obviously having difficulty accidents and improve safety. David
Manning, President of TCW and ATA Let’s look first through the lens of the
backing up into a parking space. 1st Vice Chairman commented, “The insurance company. Insurance companies
All eyes are on that driver and the CBs are camera data, plus speed gauge data, lane are in the business of protecting drivers,
humming with playful and lighthearted departure warning data and hard stop and they do so, whether the driver is at
insults directed at the inexperienced data has enabled us to feel comfortable fault for the accident or not. According
driver. Not exactly an in-cab ‘camera’ recruiting veterans who may not have two to a 2013 study published by American
moment – more like an in-cab ‘crowd’ years of verifiable driving experience. We Trucking Associations, 80 percent of car-
moment! Although the new driver may truck crashes are caused by car drivers.
feel embarrassed, his or her parking skills And while many statistics seem to point
will improve simply because other drivers to driver error as the main cause of
are watching and commenting. accidents, clearly, not all accidents are

A number of truck fleets, including CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
TCW and Ozark Motor Lines, are
installing in-cab cameras from various
companies that are developing and selling

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 13



the result of human mistakes. Still, the “In-cab cameras provide excellent
costs that insurance companies bear for coaching opportunities which have
protecting their clients can be extensive.
In-cab camera technology has the enabled us to improve the skills
potential to help insurance companies of our Drivers.” – Dave Manning
meet the needs of their clients even more
effectively because the data can provide cams installed in their vehicles in order to skilled a driver is, the more likely it is that
the required evidence to prove that a prove the integrity of their actions during they will remain safe on the highway.
driver was not at fault for the accident for the making of an arrest. The same is true
which victims are making a claim. Without for a driver falsely accused of causing an Some of the greatest education these
such evidence insurance companies end accident. days is provided visually. Most industries
up covering costs for victims that could are taking advantage of the visual,
have been avoided. Additionally, in-cab The trucking companies have their virtual, video form of training. Airplane
camera technology protects drivers from own perspective toward this technology. simulators, for example, help pilot
higher premiums and having their CDL Companies with fleets have an immense trainees experience visually and virtually
license compromised. Confirming the investment to protect. Not merely the what may be encountered on an actual
importance of safety, Jason Higginbotham, steel machines that are moving along the flight. A teacher or speaker learns how to
CFO of Ozark Motor Lines remarked, highway with high dollar freight – but the effectively communicate to an audience
“People need to realize that cameras are human resource capital – the drivers that by watching their own videos while
going to be an incredibly necessary safety make it all possible. The safety of drivers speaking. Through the visual depiction of
enhancement in trucks that everyone does more to increase the profit margins themselves in action, they are able to see
should have sooner rather than later for of a trucking company than safeguarding how many times they push back their hair,
their own protection.” static pieces of machinery. Trucking point their finger or remove their glasses
companies are at risk if drivers are at risk. during a speech. Actors and actresses
Imagine if there was a way to provide In-cab camera technology can mitigate
such protection to drivers not just by some of that risk. The better trained and CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
covering claims in case of accidents but
by protecting them from false accusations
when accidents do happen? Take, for
example an accident that occurred with
one of TCW’s drivers. The driver was cited
for following too close when there was a
rear end collision. “When we showed the
video of the car cutting off our driver and
slamming on the brakes, the officer tore
up the ticket,” Manning reported. “The
insurance carrier for the other vehicle also
paid for the minor damage that was done
to our truck. This video saved our driver
from a costly ticket on his motor vehicle
report and saved TCW from paying for
an accident we did not cause.” In-cab
camera technology can provide the proof
that is necessary to ensure court decisions
that are fair and just to victims, insurance
companies and drivers. Consider how
many sports plays have been overturned
in a game because there is now a tape
that can be reviewed. Or, the number
of police officers that aggressively lobby
to wear body cams and have dashboard

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 15

use video feedback to improve speech, “People need to realize that cameras are going to be an incredibly
character development and physical necessary safety enhancement in trucks that everyone should
movement before ever stepping on the have sooner rather than later for their own protection.”
stage or in front of the movie camera. – Jason Higginbotham, CFO of Ozark Motor Lines
Sports coaches routinely use video of
plays of their own team members as well player sees the move they consistently Similarly, Manning says, “In-cab cameras
as those of the opposing team to improve make that draws a foul, for example, their provide excellent coaching opportunities
player performance. The truth is that it’s awareness is heightened and they have a which have enabled us to improve the
much easier to alter or adapt behavior better chance of changing that move when skills of our drivers.” TCW has been using
when the less optimal behavior can be they are actually on the court in the game. in-cab cameras for the last three years for
visually observed. When a basketball both new and experienced drivers.

But, how ready are drivers to accept the
new technology? As risk management issues
escalate, every industry searches for strategies
that will prevent potential loss of income,
and increase safety. Manning affirmed that
drivers have shown great acceptance for
outward facing camera technology but have
been resistant to inward facing cameras.
“When a demo was done with inward facing
cameras,” he said, “six out of 30 quit. We
have elected to use only outward facing
cameras until more fleets adopt inward
facing and it is better accepted by drivers.”
Higginbotham agrees. “Driver response has
been surprisingly positive,” he said, “but I
think a key to that has been a very honest
and determined education campaign by
Ozark to help allay driver concerns. Drivers
have voiced no concerns over the outward
facing camera, but the inward facing camera
generated some concerns around privacy.”
For drivers, in-cab camera technology can
feel like ‘being watched’ and call up all sorts
of uncomfortable emotions, questions and
theories. It can feel intrusive and like a
violation of personal privacy. There’s a reason
for this: The truck cab is their ‘home’ as well
as their workplace.

As already mentioned, using visual
images for performance feedback has
become a regular part of training and
education in the workplace. If drivers were
sitting in corporate offices or cubicles being
videotaped and critiqued by supervisors
and colleagues, the privacy issue would be
less glaring. That edginess comes precisely
because a truck cab isn’t just a workplace
– it’s also a home away from home. The

16 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2017

lines between workplace performance is that it offers a way to capture truth in CB might hear one colleague say, “Hey,
and personal life are blurred because the action, integrity of purpose and protection turn on your in-cab camera. Back up into
cab is an individual private space as well from false accusation. This gift can help the hole – no matter how long it takes.
as a workspace. Maintaining appropriate the transportation industry continually Then, I’ll come and we’ll look at the video
boundaries between those two distinct improve so that it remains one of the most together. I’ll give you some tips that will
realities is essential if drivers are expected highly esteemed industries in America by have you parkin’ that rig backwards in
to encourage the use of inward facing in- those whose lives are made better by it. a snowstorm in the tightest driveway in
cab cameras. What many drivers may not Boston!” TTN
realize is that the camera only records when Maybe one day in the future, that new
events occur and the driver even has the driver trying to back into a tight parking Renee Miller is CEO of Rescue18Wheeler and
ability to turn on the recording function space in the dead of night in a crowded may be reached at 831-917-8196 or by email at:
if they feel an event needs to be recorded. truck stop amid jeering comments on the [email protected]
Knowing this should give drivers some
confidence that no one is really interested in Natural gas
recording them while they’re brushing their fuel solutions
teeth or reading the latest sci-fi novel.
Pivotal LNG is committed to providing customers
In order for in-cab camera technology to with liquefied natural gas supply 24 hours a day,
be most effective, it’s good to keep the end 365 days a year. Contact us to design a flexible,
goals in mind. In other words, what are the cost-effective solution for your fleet.
desired results? Improving safety on the
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and increase their confidence the safer the
roads will be. This in turn means safety for
the motoring public as well. A second end
result is the vindication of drivers from blame
for accidents they did not cause. Too many
times, drivers have been removed from the
employment pool because they have been
involved in an accident that may or may
not have been caused by them. But without
evidence of their innocence in the cause of
the accident they have suffered sometimes
severe career consequences. In-cab camera
technology can help keep good drivers safe
from losing their jobs, or their CDL licenses.
When these two results are achieved, drivers
are better supported, their performance is
improved, and their safety is ensured.

As we move more and more into visual
technology to track, record and protect
people, we also move away from personal
and private autonomy. We need to exercise
caution so that individual rights remain as
important as the absence of risk, the unfair
payouts of large sums of money and the
solution to problems we don’t want to face
head-on. At the same time, the gift – and
it is a gift – of in-cab camera technology

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 17

a seat BY STEVE BRAWNER
at the
table CONTRIBUTING WRITER

D’Andrea sees the good in PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAY COOK
what he does and in those
D’Andrea is a vice president of
with whom he works. public affairs for UPS. Based in

Louisville, he travels – by car and plane, not brown
truck – to state capitols in Tennessee, Kentucky,
West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

D’Andrea, 34, has been a lobbyist at UPS,
Kentucky’s largest private employer, for four years.
It’s his job to advocate for his company’s interests
on a wide range of issues, including taxes, workers’
compensation, unemployment insurance and health
care. In addition to protecting UPS’s direct interests,
he’s also focused on issues that affect its customers.

“If they’re saving money and they’re shipping
more, that’s more business for us. We want our
customers to succeed. … If they succeed, we succeed,”
he said.

UPS’s interests include making sure its trucks have
good roads to traverse. Like the Tennessee Trucking
Association, he has supported raising motor fuels
taxes during this year’s legislative session in Nashville.

D’Andrea said the needs of Tennessee’s highways
are too big to ignore. Unlike some states, Tennessee
does not allow debt financing of highways, so the only
way to build roads is to pay for them as you go. He
said the state’s needs are obvious each time he travels
from his home state of Kentucky to Tennessee, where
the road instantly narrows to two lanes at the border.

“We know that in order to have good
infrastructure, you’ve got to pay for the roads, and
of course, trucks and our package cars use all the
roads, so we’re willing to pay our fair share of the
infrastructure that we use,” he said.

Governor Bill Haslam has supported a highway
package this session that would increase motor fuels
taxes while reducing taxes on food, earnings on stocks
and bonds, and corporate taxes. At the time of this
writing, the package faced significant opposition.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

18 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2017

“‘LOOK, THIS IS THE WAY
IT IS, AND SOMETIMES
THAT’S A BENEFIT TO

UPS, AND SOMETIMES IT’S
NOT. BUT IT’S THE RIGHT
THING TO DO, AND THAT’S

WHY THEY DO IT.”

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 19

“I like to say it doesn’t matter if the Legislatures are Democrat
or Republican. We always say, ‘We’re the party of UPS brown,’
so we’ll work with anybody.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 going to get from that money in order for raw numbers would provide fewer days off
them to buy in.” work than UPS already provides but would
Regardless of what happens during this require the company to add additional
year’s session, infrastructure funding will Prior to landing at UPS, D’Andrea paid leave – an effort UPS opposes. In the
remain an ongoing challenge requiring worked in government relations for the past few years, Tennessee, West Virginia
policymakers to use the right strategy to get University of Louisville, his alma mater, and Kentucky have flipped from Democrat
anything accomplished. for six years as part of 11 years with the to Republican. Maryland and Delaware are
school. His focus there was on funding and led by Democrats. Virginia is a “purple”
“Here’s the key in Tennessee: You’ve got budget issues. state with a Democratic governor and
to show people what you’re going to use the Republican majorities in both chambers.
money for,” D’Andrea said. “You can’t just say, The move to UPS meant D’Andrea was D’Andrea works with all of them.
‘Hey, we need better roads, and we’re going lobbying six legislatures instead of one.
to ask you to pay X amount more.’ You Like Tennessee, West Virginia is debating “I like to say it doesn’t matter if the
need to show them exactly what they’re a motor fuels tax increase as well as Legislatures are Democrat or Republican,”
increasing tolls on interstates, which UPS he said. “We always say, ‘We’re the party of
opposes. Meanwhile, Maryland is debating UPS brown,’ so we’ll work with anybody
mandatory paid leave for workers that in

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because it’s important that you have to. Just education because there’s no question, of his attention, D’Andrea said increasingly
because they’re Democrat or Republican if it wasn’t for the Tennessee Trucking the hot topic is what “the 21st century of
doesn’t mean you don’t work with them.” Association, that education wouldn’t be package delivery is going to look like.”
taking place.” UPS has already worked with a company
D’Andrea said Tennessee has a business- in Rwanda to deliver life-saving blood
friendly environment with no income Dave Huneryager, TTA president supplies to pregnant women, and now it
taxes and low corporate taxes. It was one of and CEO, said D’Andrea is the latest in is testing deliveries in the United States
the first states where UPS began operating a long line of effective UPS public affairs where a drone would launch from the top
liquefied natural gas trucks because of professionals. of a package car and then return after the
the fuel supply, terrain and routes. Trucks delivery. The technology would be useful
stage from Nashville, Knoxville and “Having been involved with the TTA for rural deliveries, allowing drivers to stay
Memphis. for the last 25 years, the history of UPS’s off winding country roads. UPS is also
engagement in our executive committee studying the use of autonomous vehicles.
Moreover, legislators in the state FedEx and in our association’s events is long and
calls home particularly value logistics and varied,” he said. “From Bob Snyder to “The technology’s changing so quickly
transportation companies. D’Andrea said Gary Langston to Danny Smith and now that regulations and laws can’t keep up
UPS and FedEx work well together at the to Nick, we can always count on them with the technology,” he said.
Capitol and agree on most of the issues. being at the table ready to supply input
and support for the issues important to The popular image of lobbyists is
“The legislators are great to work our industry. That is the kind of support of financial fat cats wining and dining
with,” he said. “I really enjoy being down and engagement from membership that lawmakers while slipping them campaign
there. There are some great people. makes our association as strong as it is. donations in exchange for votes. what’s
They understand complicated issues, Nick simply continues their legacy and I really important is his credibility as an
especially when it comes to trucking, appreciate that very much.”
and that of course is a credit to the CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
trucking association for kind of doing that While traditional issues consume much

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 21

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 of life across the board, and he stands out in the University of Louisville, he said he
that regard,” he said. remains “a Cardinal through and through.”
expert on the issues. Legislators are part- His legislative work means he can catch
time officials who descend on Nashville Public affairs professionals, no matter basketball games mostly on television, but
once every two years to vote on thousands how much education they provide, how he’s had season tickets for football games for
of bills in a short amount of time. They much truth they tell, or how much trust many years.
simply cannot know enough about all of they build, can only accomplish so much.
them to make competent decisions, so they Legislators can always find another His personal life? April 2 was his
rely on lobbyists. According to D’Andrea, lobbyist to listen to, but they cannot ignore and wife Ashley’s one-year wedding
“Ninety percent of the job is information their constituents, particularly not every anniversary. He’s also a twin with a sister
sharing. The rest of it, the other 10 percent, two years. D’Andrea said the key for any named Dena. He’s a 4-handicap golfer
is knowing the political dynamics.” association or movement to be successful who plays whenever he can, though not
is having effective grassroots support. A often with legislators. He likes to try local
That means that trust is vital, and once small number of constituents can have a restaurants – The Row Kitchen and Pub in
lost, it’s hard to regain. Asked what it takes big influence. Nashville is a favorite – and enjoy concerts
to work with legislators, D’Andrea said, at Bridgestone Arena.
“Honesty, integrity. If they don’t trust you, “Legislators want to know what their
you’re dead in the water, so you can never people who live in their district think about In March, D’Andrea traveled to Brazil
lie to a legislator, that’s for sure, or not tell particular issues because they’re the ones as part of the America’s Young Political
them the truth. And to be honest with you, that elect them every two years or every Leaders Foundation. He and three others
that’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t wait four years, so it’s important that they hear were to spend eight days meeting with
to work for UPS is they’re known for being from their constituents,” he said. “So if locals and talking about politics and public
honest, and honest to the point where it’s a you’ve got a handful of constituents that affairs – three days in Rio de Janeiro, three
fault sometimes because they’ll be upfront happen to live in a legislator’s district and days in Sao Paulo, and two days in the
with folks and say, ‘Look, this is the way it can talk to them about a particular issue, capital of Brasilia. Sponsored by the State
is, and sometimes that’s a benefit to UPS, I mean, that’s a no brainer. … That means Department, the visit’s purpose was to
and sometimes it’s not. But it’s the right more than me going to talk to the legislator.” foster relationships and expose participants
thing to do, and that’s why they do it.” on both sides to the other’s culture and
D’Andrea learned the importance of economy. It was to be his first trip to Brazil
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, personal relationships at an early age. He and first trip with the foundation after being
R-Collerville, agreed that lobbyists must was raised in Boone County, Kentucky, not nominated last year.
be honest when dealing with legislators. far from Cincinnati. His father owned a
He told Tennessee Trucking News, “I’ve family style steakhouse where relationships “I always say you can always learn from
had lobbyists shade the truth with me in helped generate repeat business and where other countries how they handle and do
the past, and they’re never welcome back D’Andrea said he “learned the gift of gab.” things and bring it back to the United
through my doors, so he’s welcome any He also developed an interest in politics States, just like I’m sure they’re hoping to
time.” starting when his dad, Bill, ran for county learn from us the same so they can do the
commissioner. same in Brazil,” he said.
But Norris said D’Andrea has earned
his trust not only through his advocacy After serving as a student trainer in Working in politics for much of the
on UPS-related issues but also through high school, he enrolled at the University past two decades has not jaded him to
his other efforts. D’Andrea participated of Louisville planning to study to be a the political process. At 34, D’Andrea still
in seminars Norris held nationwide doctor, but instead he gravitated toward sees the good in what he does and who he
as chairman of the Council of State politics. He earned his degree in political works with.
Governments regarding post-secondary science and economics and his master’s
education, while D’Andrea has gotten UPS degree in business administration. So after returning from Brazil, he was
involved in delivering food packages across Meanwhile, he volunteered for the George going to return to work lobbying legislators
the nation. W. Bush presidential campaign in the in six states, telling them the truth about
2000 election, his first to vote. He worked UPS and the need for highway funding.
“When corporate representatives get in Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004
involved to that extent in more than just and also worked in two congressional After all, the transportation industry
what they’re paid to do, it makes a big campaigns for Rep. Anne Northup, a must speak up for its interests because
difference because it shows they care as Republican from Louisville. others will certainly speak up for theirs. As
much as we do about improving the quality D’Andrea explained, “I always say you’re
Even though he no longer works for either at the table or you’re on the menu.”

TTN

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 23

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2 4 • T E N N E S S E E T RU C K I N G N E W S QI1SSPP RRION GU2D0 1T7 O SUPPORT AND ITS MEMBERS

Tennessee Trucking Association’s

Road Team

Road Team Captain Jeffery Shinholster-Hub Group Road Team Captain Christy McClain-
Trucking-at Clarksville High School Career Day TCW (left) presents Papa Doug book
donated by State Farm to Leila George
Road Team Captain Robert Crabtree-Averitt (right) at Paragon Elementary School
Express-surrounded by students at Capshaw
Elementary as he reads a Papa Doug book that was
donated for the school.

Road Team Captain Scott Lambert-FedEx Freight-assists THP Sgt. Click with the driving simulator at Chuckey Doak High School
Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 25

Sometimes People AAA Cooper Transportation
Must Come Together Ability TriModal Transportation Services
for a Mission
Acklie Charitable Foundation
Thank You Alabama Trucking Association
American Moving and Storage Association
Since 1954, the American Transportation Research Institute and its American Trucking Associations
predecessor have been the trucking industry’s source for scientific data and
analysis on the many high priority issues facing freight transportation today. ArcBest Corporation
The people and companies listed here are our core contributors, annual Arkansas Trucking Association
donors who have come together in this mission to help the industry as a
whole. If you or your company has not contributed in the past, now is the Bill Graves
time to step up and do your part. Boyle Transportation
Step up and leave your footprint for the good of the industry.
Visit www.atri-online.org to explore your giving opportunities. BR Williams
Bulldog Hiway Express
26 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2017 C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Photo: NASA Canadian Trucking Alliance

Cargo Transporters
Colorado Motor Carriers Association

Combined Transport
Con-way Inc.
C.R. England
Cummins Inc.

Dupre Transportation
Elliott Brothers Truck Lines, Inc.

Estes Express
FedEx Corporation
Florida Trucking Association
G&P Trucking Company
Garner Transportation Group
Georgia Motor Trucking Association

Gordon Trucking
Great West Casualty Company

Groendyke Transportation
HELP, Inc.

Idaho Trucking Association
Illinois Trucking Association
Indiana Motor Truck Association
Iowa Motor Truck Association

J & M Tank Lines, Inc.
J.J. Keller & Associates
Kansas Motor Carriers Association
Kentucky Trucking Association

K-Limited Carrier, Ltd.
Longistics

Maine Motor Transport Association
Marcello & Kivisto, LLC

Maryland Motor Truck Association
Maverick Transportation

Minnesota Trucking Association
Mississippi Trucking Association

Missouri Trucking Association
Motor Carrier Service, Inc.

Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
Nevada Trucking Association

New Hampshire Motor Transport Association
New Mexico Trucking Association

New York State Motor Truck Association
Ohio Trucking Association

Oklahoma Trucking Association
Old Dominion Freight Line

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association
Penske Transportation Components
Pitt Ohio
Prime, Inc.
Rhode Island Trucking Association
Schneider National
Shorty and Ro Whittington
South Carolina Trucking Association
Southeastern Freight Lines

Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association
TAEC Region II

Tennessee Trucking Association
Texas Trucking Association
Tommy Hodges
TransAm Trucking
TransSafe Consulting
Trimac Transportation
UPS
Usher Transport
Ventura Transfer Company

Vermont Truck and Bus Association
Volvo Trucks North America
Walmart Transportation
Watkins & Shepard Trucking

West Virginia Trucking Association
Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association

WTAEC
Wyoming Trucking Association

YRC Worldwide

Tennessee Trucking Association’s Road Team

Call on Washington with L-R: Jason Higginbotham-Ozark Motor Lines, Dave Road Team Captain Mike Brewer-Old Dominion Freight Lines-
Huneryager, Connie Vaughan-McKee Foods, Congressman David Kustoff, Bill demonstrates Oculus Rift Goggles for students at Hendersonville
Bennett-Southeastern Freight Lines, Road Team Captain Scooter Fleenor-Walmart High School Career Day
Transportation, Road Team Captain Robert Crabtree-Averitt Express and Greg
Shipman-Vertical Alliance Group.

Road Team Captain
Dale Moore-FirstFleet
at Prescott Elementary
School

Road Team Captain
James Warren-Titan
Transfer (far left) and
Road Team Captain
Cleve McCord-Sharp
Transport (far right)
with drivers ed class at
Wilson Central High
School

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 27

tTrENuNESScEEkingNEWS OOT FRFFUTICCHKIEAI TNL EGMNAANSGESASOSZCEI NEI AET I O N

Q4 WINTER 2017
$4.95 VALUE

Reach More RegOsvUeprtdimatee
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ThFWoirmasytpFlsaloennedt,

MemberSpotlight TERRY MINOR, CUMBERLAND INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS

You’ll be in good company. truckingTENNESSEE
NEWS
Tennessee Trucking News is the ONLY publication in
Tennessee sure to provide you the biggest bang for your
buck. All of our more than 5,000 readers who see your ad
are either your current customers, your hot prospects or
people who may refer you to potential customers. Make sure
they see you in each edition to keep your company ‘top of
mind’ to these folks.

And this is YOUR publication! Tennessee Trucking News tells
your stories to their colleagues, competitors and industry
leaders. Tennessee Trucking News also spreads the good
news about trucking—all of your success stories. It also
communicates with those who make decisions that impact
us—like elected officials and regulatory agents both at the
local and national level—to help educate all on the issues
we face as an industry from our perspective. It’s just an
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Be a part of Tennessee Trucking News and help spread the
word. And, rest-assured that while you’re doing so, you
will be in excellent company alongside the first class TTA
member companies who’ve already made the smart decision
to market themselves via Tennessee Trucking News.

For more information contact our publisher, Jennifer Matthews-Drake, at [email protected].

Tennessee Trucking Association’s Road Team

Road Team Captain Robert Crabtree-Averitt Express and Mark Copas-FedEx Freight with students at Findlay Elementary School

Road Team Captain
Josh Dopp-UPS
Freight with students
at Northeast
Elementary School

Road Team Captain Josh Dopp-UPS Freight Road Team Captain Beth Smith-Old Dominion Freight
with students at Northeast Elementary School Lines and Ron Bolling-Walmart Transportation with students
at Knox County Career Day

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 29

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MemberSpotlight
Tommy Earl

& the TAG Truck Center Team

BY TODD TRAUB

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It would have been hard to blame FROM LEFT: Brandon Earl, Tommy Earl , Brian Earl And Gary Dodson

Tommy Earl if he’d turned around PHOTOS: COURTESY TAG

and fled the truck sales business on almost 23 percent. I thought, ‘What a great locations, including four service center and
move.’ ” dealership locations in Jackson, Tupelo,
Day One. Memphis and Jonesboro, Ark.
For that matter, he would have been But actually it was. Earl went on to help
found TAG, creating his ownership group, “I have been at the same location for 26
excused if he’d bailed on the retail sales the last of three he would deal with, without
business on Day One. ever having to move. The company has 10 CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

But most days have been good days for
Earl, 54, president of Memphis-based TAG
Truck Enterprises, LLC.

“I love working with the talented people at
TAG and the amazing customers that allow
us to do business with them,” Earl said. “I
get to work with my two sons who are also
involved in the business and that is a real
blessing. I also love representing Freightliner;
I am proud of the products and solutions we
provide.”

Not that there weren’t some early bumps in
the road.

Earl followed his father into truck sales
after studying computer engineering in
college but found himself unable to land a job
in the computer field. He quickly began to
wonder if his new chosen field was going to
be any more kind.

“My first day in truck sales was ‘Black
Monday,’ Oct. 19, 1987, as a 25 year old who
knew nothing at all about trucks,” Earl said.
“My first day in the retail sales was the day
the stock market plummeted 508 points, or

Q1 SPRING 2017 TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS • 31

-0300 orTylocehlcTaarareoitseimo—sdnusi,”faBbfeElamerraertrniotlt@tnsaao, uinBwdsan.a.reclsorrsswaihgwoipnrcldgmora.oecnunodptmsn,cosowanmTteAacGt. our 24-hour claims intake center at: includes:

Timeline of TAG’s growth

ord serviEcaeAr,l aMctoteenmntdpaehcdits:hnHigahtaivrsecrhiwsoohoonl anTtoEiwslldilsiavtoelns6iBn1a5Ep-at2ids2ts,1-5900• or2rhe0avr0erinpsuoenerc_steiinnsdt2ai0ln@0cur8es.acsraewinco.com • Purchasing a 20 percent
stake in Lonestar Truck

Academy and college at State Technical • Addition of a medium duty Group in Texas in 2014

Institute in Memphis, where he studied the site in Memphis in 2011 • Buying 113 acres for a
aforementioned computer engineering. His facility at the old Mall of
first stop when that didn’t pan out was selling • Acquiring Duckett Truck Memphis site in 2015.
new Ford heavy duty trucks with his father at Center with four sites
Delta Ford. in Missouri and one in
Kentucky later that year
When Black Monday failed to scare him

off Earl dug in and worked until 1991 when

he again joined his dad, this time at family

owned Barton Freightliner. The Barton four Barloworld dealerships and TAG, an is right. We will do our best. We will treat

brothers sold out to South African company acronym which stands for “Tommy and others the way that we want to be treated.”

Barloworld in 2000, and Earl stayed on, Gary,” was born. It has certainly worked out so far. A quick

working his way from salesman to vice “During a dinner at Gary’s house, we timeline of TAG’s growth includes seeing a

president of sales. had to come up with a name for the new 200 percent increase in revenues in 2008,

But in 2007 the Barloworld ownership company,” Earl said. “Our wives said, ‘What the company’s second year; addition of a

decided to pull out of the United States. about TAG (Tommy and Gary)?’ The name medium duty site in Memphis in 2011;

Facing his first, non-stock market related stuck. We have been TAG Truck Enterprises, acquiring Duckett Truck Center with four

employment crisis, Earl joined with a fellow LLC since July 2007.” sites in Missouri and one in Kentucky later

Barloworld officer Gary Dodson to buy the The company motto is “We will do what that year; purchasing a 20 percent stake in

Lonestar Truck Group in Texas in 2014 and

buying 113 acres for a facility at the old Mall

Getting freight delivered on time is the top of Memphis site in 2015.

The $3.9 million purchase will allow TAG

priority of the transportation industry. to consolidate all four of its Memphis-area
locations and the new center is scheduled to
But when an accident occurs, the roadblocks of getting open sometime this year.
a claim handled can make your careful timeline grind to
a halt. That’s why Crawford®’s Transportation Services Making the Memphis Business
are there for you with the total solution to get your Journal’s list of fastest growing companies
cargo and your schedule back on track. seven of the past nine years, TAG has

grown from 200 employees and the four

original locations to 10 locations with 400

employees.

And that’s not all.

“In the last two years, our Memphis

location was voted “Top Workplace” by the

Crawford & Company® [Memphis] Commercial Appeal,” Earl said.
“This is based 100 percent on employee
has been an industry-leading provider surveys and that is a great reflection on our
of services to the trucking industry managers.”
for almost 75 years.
TAG has also climbed the Memphis

To submit an assignment contact our 24-hour claims intake center Business Journal’s rankings of top private
at 1-877-346-0300 or [email protected] companies, starting at 51 in 2008 and rising
to 17 in 2015.
For more information on any Crawford service, contact:
Harrison Tisdal at 615-221-5900 or [email protected] As president, does Earl take any credit?
No.

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QQ41 WS PI NR TI NE GR 2 0 1 7 T E N N E S S E E T R U C K I N G N E W S • 32 37
16 TenneSSee Trucking newS

Calendar of Events OCTOBER
MAY JULY October 3-4
May 10 July 4 Holiday - TTA Office NATMI - Safety & DO T Tennessee Trucking News
MTN Big Rigs for Little Kids Closed Compliance
Golf Tournament ADVERTISING
July 11-12 October 4 RESOURCE INDEX
May 12 NATMI - Safety & DO T Southeast TN Big Rigs for
Roadside Inspection, Compliance Little Kids Golf Tournament Q1 SPRING 2017
Greeneville Scales I-81
AUGUST October 5 Adams and Reese LLP 10
May 24 August 4 West TN Big Rigs for Little
Roadside Inspection, Roadside Inspection, Kids Golf Tournament American Transportation Research 26
Brownsville Scales I-40 Greeneville Scales I-81 Institute (ATRI)
October 12 Road Team
May 23-24 August 8-9 Selection Clarke Power Services 11
NATMI – Safety & DOT NATMI-Maintenance
Compliance Certification CSME & CDME- October 25 Crawford & Company 32
Music Center, Nashville, TN Roadside Inspection,
May 29 Holiday – Memorial Portland Scales I-65 North Direct ChassisLink 14
Day August 8-12
National Truck Driver October 26-27 2017 Fall Drivers Legal Plan 19
JUNE Championships- Orlando, FL Conference
June 13-14 Fleetco, Inc. 20
NATMI – Driver Trainer SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER
Certification Course September 4 Holiday – November 1 HELP, Inc., Provider of PrePass 25
Labor Day NATMI – Transportation Risk
June 16 Management Great West Casualty Co. 22
Roadside Inspection, September 10-17
Knoxville Scales I-40 National Truck Driver November 3 Navistar/International Inside back cover
Appreciation Week Roadside Inspection,
June 30 2017 Safety Breaks: Knoxville Scales I-40

I-40 West, Mile Marker 425 September 17-19 November 6-10 J. J. Keller & Associates 30
Near Dandridge, TN TTA 87th Annual Convention NATMI - Safety Certification
at Sandestin Beach Hilton, Program (MFSB & MMFSP Lite-Check 23
I-40 East Rest Area at Destin, FL Certification Course)
Jackson, TN MHC Kenworth Inside front cover
September 18-21 November 15-16 Road
I-40 West Rest Area at National Technician Team Training Neely Coble Company, Inc. 4
Dickson, TN Competition- Orlando, FL
November 23-24 Holiday Pivotal LNG/AG Resources 21
I-75 North Rest Area at September 21 - TTA Office Closed -
Athens, TN Roadside Inspection, Thanksgiving
Manchester Scales I-24
DECEMBER Rush Truck Center Back cover
December 22 & 25
September 28 Holiday - TTA Office Closed Sleep Access 33
Roadside Inspection, – Christmas
Brownsville Scales I-40 Southern Tire Mart 13

TA/Petro 8

New TTA Members TAG Truck Center/Freightliner 6

CARRIERS ALLIED • Safety Coach Concepts Tennessee Trucking News 34

• CFC Recycling • AFC Urgent Care • Servis First Bank

• Jamac Logistics • BB & T Insurance Services • Sprint This edition of Tennessee Trucking News
was made possible with the support of these
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34 • TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS Q1 SPRING 2017

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