Tarheel Wheels Q2 Summer 2020 ~ Keith Barnes, Barnes Transportation + End FET + Crisis to Recovery + More!

Q2 SUMMER 2020

Barnes Transportation's

Keith Barnes

NCTA Chairman

NCTA Efforts to Suspend FET

ATA's Advocacy Crisis to Recovery Plan

NCTA Members Helping Those in Need

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

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Greenville Raleigh Rocky Mount Chairman ATA State Vice President
Keith Barnes, Mike Stevens
Barnes Transportation
1st Vice Chairman Red Classic Transportation
Luke Mangum, Services, LLC
Manvum's Inc.
Vice Chairman Allied Chairman
Jason Smith Ben Greenberg
Southland Transportation Co. Goldberg Segalla
Vice Chairman
Lora Dedmon Secretary
A.V. Dedmon Trucking, Inc. Crystal Collins
North Carolina Trucking Assn.

Treasurer
Mark Patterson
All State Express

2020–2021 NCTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

$15,000 Diamond Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. C.R.T.S., Inc.
$8,000 Silver Mark Berry Andy Marchiano
Best Logistics, Inc.
Contact NCTA to learn how to become an annual sponsor. Eagle Transport Corporation
4 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020 Bree Bryant Mike Martin
NCTA Technology and Maintenance
Chambers Transportation Services, Inc.
Ryan Chambers Council Chairman
Epes Transport System, LLC
Eagle Transport Corporation
Lance Collette Amy Medlin
Walmart Transportation
Thermo King Central Carolinas
Ben Cox Kevin Morgan
McGriff Insurance Services
Best Logistics, Inc.
Roy Cox Scott Murray
Edwards Wood Products Inc.
Ezzell Trucking, Inc.
Alan Darr Transportation
Gerald Myers
NCTA Safety and Human Resources Epes Transport System, LLC
Council Chairman Melissa Nishan
Carolina Tank Lines, Inc.
SE Davis & Associates Jim Norwood
Steve Davis Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Mark Penley
Cargo Transporters, Inc. Trinity Transport, Inc.
Dennis Dellinger
Dave Riley
Eagle Transport Corporation L.J. Rogers Jr. Trucking Co.
Herb Evans
Ronald Rogers
Ezzell Trucking, Inc. Carolina Axle Surgeons, Inc.
Grover Ezzell
Gary Sensing
Ezzell Trucking, Inc. Joe Morten & Son, Inc.
Catherine Ezzell-Joyner
Teague Campbell Dennis Kevin Sherritze
Cargo Transporters, Inc.
& Gorham, LLP
Scott Farwell Jerry Sigmon, Jr.
Fox Rothchild LLP
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Sam Faucette Marc Tucker
Brown Trucking Company
Best Logistics, Inc.
Tricia Foody Kristene Turner
Excel Truck Group
NCTA Women in Trucking
Council Chair Ken Tyree
Triad Freightliner of Greensboro, Inc.
Red Classic Transit, LLC
David Glancy Larry Tysinger
Underwood & Weld Co., Inc.
ADUSA Transportation LLC
Warren Hall Badger Underwood
Mineral City Transport, LLC
Barnes Transportation Services, Inc.
Chris Henry Gordon Underwood
UPS
Best Logistics, Inc.
Richard Hepler Jeff Wafford
Tidewater Transit Co., Inc.
Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc.
Chris Hill John Williams
Swing Transport, Inc.
Relation Insurance Services
Sean Kelly Donnie Wilson
Wilson Brothers Milling & Trucking Co.
Kerns Trucking, Inc.
Clyde Kerns Jeff Wilson
SWTO LLC/Speedway
City Transfer and Storage Company Transport Operations
Scott Lassiter
Archie Wood
McMahon Truck Centers Yarbrough Transfer Company
David Locke, Jr.
David Yarbrough, Jr.
Longistics Transportation, Inc.
Brooks Long

COVER • PAGE 16

A LOAD ON
OUR TRUCK

Keith Barnes and generations of the
Barnes family culminate to

lead the industry in North Carolina

BY DAVID MONTEITH

Q2 SUMMER 2020

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES 25 How Long Will North Carolina’s DEPARTMENTS
Recovery Take
6 International Roadcheck 4 NCTA Annual Sponsors
BY DR. MICHAEL WALDRON 4 NCTA Board of Directors
9 NCTA Joins Push to End FET 7 From the President
BY STEVE BRAWNER 27 NCTA Members Come to the Rescue By Crystal Collins
Food Lion, Chambers Transportation 30 Advertiser Resource Index
13 The Bridge from Crisis to Recovery
American Trucking Associations’ leader answered the call for help from Rice N
Beans and the rest is history
shares advocacy efforts BY TODD TRAUB
BY CHRIS SPEAR

IMAGES OF KEITH BARNES ON COVER AND THIS PAGE BY DANIEL GRAY.

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 5

2020 INTERNATIONAL ROADCHECK:

DRIVER REQUIREMENTS

The emphasis for 2020 International Roadcheck will be on roadside inspection driver requirements. The Commercial
Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) chose to focus on driver requirements this year to highlight the importance of this
vital category of the roadside inspection process.

Violations of the following may render the These are the top 10 driver-related violations Inspectors will check the following during
commercial motor vehicle driver unqualified found during driver roadside inspections: the driver interview of a roadside inspection:
to drive and will preclude further operation
of the vehicle by its driver for a specified 1. Failure to use a seat belt while operating  Driver’s license or commercial driver’s
amount of time or for some violations, until a commercial motor vehicle license (class, endorsements and
the required condition is met: restrictions)
2. Record of duty status violation
 Driver’s age (general/form and manner)  Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill
Performance Evaluation Certificate, if
 Commercial driver’s license or 3. Operating a property-carrying vehicle applicable
operator’s/chauffeur’s license or permit without a valid medical certificate
 Record of duty status, if applicable and
 Driver medical/physical requirements 4. False report of record of duty status any supporting documents

 Sickness or fatigue 5. Operating a commercial motor vehicle  Illegal presence of alcohol, drugs,
without a CDL weapons or other contraband
 Intoxicating beverages and drugs and
other substances 6. ELD – No record of duty status (ELD is  Illness, fatigue or other signs of
required) impairment
 Driver’s record of duty status – U.S.,
Canada or Mexico 7. No medical certificate in driver’s  Seat belt usage and condition
possession
 Evidence of periodic inspection
8. Driver’s record of duty status not current
 Driver’s daily vehicle inspection report, if
9. Driver failed to maintain supply of blank applicable
records of duty status graph grids
 Carrier identification and status
10. Driver failed to maintain ELD instruction (USDOT/NSC Number, or jurisdictional
sheet equivalent)

Total number of driver inspections:  Operating authority, if applicable

3,352,822  Vehicle registration(s)

Total number of driver violations:  Proof of insurance

952,938  Fuel tax permits, if applicable

Total number of out-of-service  Shipping papers/bills of lading
driver conditions:
 Special permits, if applicable
199,722
 Certificate for Mexico-domiciled motor
Source: U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety carriers, if applicable
Administration’s Motor Carrier Management
Information System, 2019 (June 26, 2020)

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR September 9-11, 2020

For more information on International Roadcheck, visit www.roadcheck.org.

From the President

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE Suspending Federal Excise Tax Will Benefit
NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
North Carolinians
Tarheel Wheels is owned by the North Carolina Trucking Association
and is published three times a year by Matthews Publishing Group. COVID-19 has disrupted our country in ways that would have been
unimaginable just a year ago. Now that we’re coming up on the four-month
For additional copies, to order reprints of individual articles or to anniversary of Governor Cooper’s initial stay-at-home order, most of us have
become a subscriber to Tarheel Wheels, and for information gotten somewhat used to our “new normal.”
about advertising please contact Jennifer Matthews-Drake
at [email protected]. I’ve been more proud than ever to be a part of the trucking industry. While most industries shut
down or moved inside, we ramped up because we were needed more than ever. Medical equipment,
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake food, cleaning supplies – we got them where they needed to be. We delivered.

[email protected] We haven’t asked for much in return. The heartfelt thanks we’ve received along the way has
meant the world to us. After all, most of us got into trucking to serve. We know how crucial our
Executive Editor Crystal Collins industry is to our economy. And while we’re hopeful there will soon be a vaccine for COVID-19,
our economy’s health needs a different kind of treatment.
[email protected]
Now that Congress and the administration are considering another round of relief, one of the
Creative Director Fran Sherman quickest, most effective ways to get the economy moving is a temporary suspension of the Federal
Excise Tax, or FET, on trucks and trailers.
[email protected]
The 12 percent FET that Class 8 trucks and trailers are subjected to was put in place to help pay for
Graphic Designer Barbara Negron World War I, not because it was good policy. It adds an average of $22,000 to the cost of a new piece of
equipment. That’s a pretty clear deterrent to upgrading your rig.
Ad Production Doug Benjamin
Suspending this tax until 2021 will encourage industry leaders to invest in new equipment, which
Photographers Clay Cook manufacturers will need to produce. There are approximately 1.3 million jobs related to Class 8 truck
Daniel Gray and trailer manufacturing across the nation, including tens of thousands right here in our state. If we
Larry Kuzniewski want them to be here in the years to come, we need to encourage growth.
Caleb Shane Lollar
John David Pittman This April, orders for Class 8 trucks declined 72 percent since the previous April. That’s the
lowest in more than two decades. Considering how many North Carolinians depend on the auto
Contributing Writers Steve Brawner manufacturing and trucking industries, it’s not hard to see how big of a problem that is.
Dan Calabrese
Which brings me back to the FET. Temporarily suspending this 12 percent tax will stimulate both
Renee Miller of these industries. In a recent survey by the American Trucking Associations, nearly 60 percent of
David Monteith respondents said they would likely place orders for new equipment if the FET was suspended.
Derek Rayment
As if that’s not reason enough, FET suspension will benefit everyone by putting safer, cleaner
John Schulz trucks on our highways.
Lacey Thacker
Fatal large truck crashes in the U.S. dropped 71 percent between 1975 and 2015, thanks to
Todd Traub new safety features.

www.NCTrucking.com Before COVID-19, the number of trucks powered by the newest generation of advanced diesel was
North Carolina Trucking Association Staff on the rise. New diesel truck engines produce 98 percent fewer particulate matter and nitrogen oxide
emissions than a similar engine made before 1990. Additionally, sulfur emissions from diesel engines
President Crystal Collins have been reduced by 97 percent since 1999.

[email protected] More than half of the Class 8 trucks currently on the road are more than 10 years old. But we
can change that. We’re encouraging North Carolina Congressional delegates to call for a temporary
Instructor & Regulatory Specialist Steve Massey suspension of FET so companies may upgrade their equipment.

[email protected] As the old saying goes, you get less of what you tax. Let’s suspend the FET and get new trucks
on the road.
Office Manager & Bookkeeper Lindsey Harris

[email protected]

An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations

Since 1929, the North Carolina Trucking Association (NCTA)
has represented the interests of the trucking industry. NCTA
works to protect the interests of North Carolina’s trucking industry
by working with state and federal regulatory and enforcement
agencies. We are also dedicated to providing excellence in
Education, Training, and Information. And promoting a safe,
dependable and cost-effective motor transportation infrastructure
to the betterment of the trucking industry in North Carolina.

For more information, contact NCTA at: Sincerely,
North Carolina Trucking Association Crystal Collins, President, North Carolina Trucking Association
4000 Westchase Blvd, Suite 210
Raleigh, NC 27607
Telephone: 919-834-0387
Facsimile: 919-834-3926
Website: www.nctrucking.com

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 7



NCTA Joins
Push to
End FET

BY STEVE BRAWNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If the trucking industry of the federal excise tax, or FET, but Mike Last year, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.,
is essential during the Joyce, a spokesperson for the coalition, and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.,
COVID-19 pandemic, then said it had not given up. introduced the Modern, Clean and Safe
trucks must be, too. And one Trucks Act, which would have repealed
way to get more, newer, safer, “We haven’t been told by anybody ‘No’ the FET. They noted in a press release
cleaner trucks on the road is to or ‘Hell, no,’ at this point, and until I get April 30, 2019, that it’s the highest
remove the 12 percent federal some prominent member that tells me percentage-based tax imposed by
excise tax. ‘Hell, no,’ we’re going to keep educating Congress on any product.
members of Congress about this,” he said.
The North Carolina Trucking The FET was created in 1917 to pay for
Association is part of the Modernize the Progress has been made in suspending World War I expenses but exists today
Truck Fleet Coalition, which is pressing the 103-year-old tax. On July 25, Rep. as a trucker-targeted tax that supports
Congress to suspend the tax on the Chris Pappas (D-NH) sent a letter calling the Highway Trust Fund. It’s grown from
purchase of heavy-duty trucks and trailers for suspending the tax to Speaker Nancy 3 percent when it was introduced to 12
until the end of 2021. The suspension Pelosi and House Democratic leaders. It percent today.
would be included in a stimulus package was signed by 54 other House Democrats.
Congress passes in response to the The Modernize the Truck Fleet
covid-19 pandemic. Joyce said the focus is on congressional Coalition is composed of industry
committees with the most influence stakeholders whose founders include the
At press time, leaders of both parties over the issue: the House Ways and American Truck Dealers, a division of the
along with the Trump administration Means Committee; the Senate Finance National Automobile Dealers Association.
were attempting to bridge differences Committee; the Senate Commerce, The coalition announced its formation
between Democratic-led House and Science, the Transportation Committee; in early 2019 but gained steam this
Republican-led Senate packages. and the Senate Environment and Public March when manufacturers and dealers
Works Committee. He said he has also
Neither version included a suspension had some positive phone calls with CONTINUED 
agencies in the Trump administration.

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 9

saw their orders of July 28 on a letter to congressional sales in May were
plummeting during leaders that included the American down 71 percent
the pandemic. Trucking Associations and almost all year over year.
the state trucking associations. The The overall Class
Joyce said the letter requested that Congress suspend 8 market was
coalition originally the FET in the next coronavirus down 50 percent
had proposed stimulus package. The North Carolina in April and 61
suspending the tax Automobile Dealers Association and percent in May.
until the end of this the North Carolina Chamber also
calendar year, but signed the letter. The United Auto The numbers
carriers and truck Workers sent its own letter. were better in
manufacturers June but were still
needed more time. The coalition’s letter argued that truck down. Transport
If the coalition can sales had fallen significantly compared Topics reported
get relief through to the previous year, with manufacturers that WardsAuto.
2021 and the suspending or reducing production com said U.S. Class
economy still hasn’t because of government actions. It said 8 retail sales fell
bounced back, it the FET increases the cost of new trucks 43.58 percent from
can return to Congress and ask for the and trailers by $10,000-$22,000 and June 2019. Year to date sales had fallen
suspension to be extended. suspending it would lead to more truck 38.7 percent from the year before –
and trailer purchases. from 134,832 to 82,648 units.
Suspending the excise tax would lead The pandemic struck as sales were
to more truck sales. A survey of trucking “In turn, this would help save or bring already softening cyclically. Even
fleets by the American Trucking back the livelihoods of the 7.8 million without the outbreak, ACT Research was
Associations found that 23.4 percent Americans employed in jobs related to projecting the heavy-duty market would
of respondents said they were “very trucking,” the letter said. drop 33 percent this year.
likely” to purchase additional equipment The coalition is sensitive to how a
if Congress created incentives such Joyce said about 1.3 million jobs suspension would affect the Highway
as eliminating the FET. Another 35.8 are associated with the manufacture Trust Fund. The FET raised about $4
percent said they were “somewhat likely,” of heavy-duty trucks and trailers, and billion each of the past two years, but
while 28.2 percent said they were “not some of those jobs have been imperiled those were robust truck purchasing
likely” to purchase additional equipment by the economic fallout from the years. The Joint Committee on Taxation
and 12.6 percent said they “wouldn’t covid-19 pandemic. scored the proposal as costing the trust
change” their plans. fund $5.45 billion through the end of
Kenny Vieth, president and senior calendar year 2021, but that estimate did
NCTA has done its part. In July, analyst of ACT Research, said in an not account for the effects of covid-19.
NCTA President Crystal Collins interview that Class 8 tractor retail Joyce pointed out that if carriers aren’t
along with Jim Bland, co-president buying trucks, there’s no money going
of TranSource Truck and Trailer into the trust fund, anyway.
Centers, had a virtual meeting with Putting newer trucks on the road
John McDonald, senior legislative would offer many other benefits. The
assistant for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R- average age of today’s trucks is almost
NC). Burr is a member of the Senate 10 years. Modernize the Truck Fleet
Finance Committee. Collins and Bland says today’s trucks emit 97 percent
told McDonald about the taxes motor less nitrogen oxide and 98 percent less
carriers pay for a new piece of equipment particulate matter than trucks of three
and reminded him that there are truck decades ago. The new technologies have
manufacturing jobs in North Carolina. enabled today’s trucks to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions by 43 million tons,
Meanwhile, Collins has published an nitrogen oxide emissions by 21 million
opinion piece in the Winston-Salem tons, and particulate matter emissions
Journal and was seeking to publish it in
other newspapers.

NCTA was one of 199 signatories as

10 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

by 1.2 million tons since 2010. Sixty new PARTS • SERVICE • SALES
trucks would generate the same amount
of emissions as one truck built in 1989. Charlotte, NC Statesville, NC
4633 Equipment Drive 2221 International Drive
Those gains were made in response to (704) 597-1110 (704) 252-5400
the regulatory mandates that have added
nearly $40,000 to the price of a new Lexington, SC
truck. Suspending the tax would make it
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(803) 359-0950
Today’s trucks also are more fuel
efficient. Modernize the Truck Fleet says
they have saved 101 million barrels of
crude oil and 4.2 billion gallons of diesel
fuel since 2010. And new government
mandates will require future models to
be even cleaner and more fuel efficient
through 2027. Newer trucks also are
more likely to be outfitted with safety
technologies that make roads safer.

Joyce pointed out that excise taxes
are often used to discourage what the
government considers to be harmful
behavior. In this case, however, “The
industry’s being penalized for making good
decisions.” New trucks are safer, better for
the environment, and better for drivers.

Even if the FET suspension isn’t
included in this stimulus package, Joyce
said the coalition will continue to make
its case for inclusion in future packages
or other legislation. The FET has been
in place for so long that many members
of Congress don’t know much about it
or how the economy would benefit from
suspending it.

“We continue to educate members
of Congress,” he said. “We continue to
dialogue with both Democratic and
Republican members of Congress.
We don’t view this as a Democrat or a
Republican issue. We believe this is a
jobs issue.”

Collins said NCTA has taken a
long-term approach to the issue and
will continue to advocate for it no
matter what happens with the current
pandemic legislation.

“We’re not going to let up,” she said.
“We need some relief to provide our
industry to be able to afford to upgrade
their equipment.”

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 11

Sometimes People
Must Come Together
for a Mission

THANK YOU

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

12 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020
Photo: NASA

fromThCreisiBs troiRdecgoevery
American Trucking Associations’ advocacy plans for 2020

Since it first BY CHRIS SPEAR solutions. Rather than
entered GUEST WRITER pointing to obstacles,
the U.S., they work to clear the
the coronavirus trucks will be just as pivotal now as we way forward.”
has upended life turn toward recovery. Trucks have kept
across America. rolling while the rest of the country This has been on full
But through stays locked down, and they’ll remain at display throughout this
all the turmoil the forefront when called to power our crisis, as ATA fleets and
and uncertainty, economy back up. their millions of drivers
truckers have have engaged decision-
forged ahead. I’ve been honored to be named by makers at all levels of
While everything President Trump to his administration’s government to receive
around us seems Great American Revival council, along immediate regulatory
turned upside with four National ATA member- relief and remove barriers
down, American company CEOs. This initiative is erected by ill-conceived
trucking remains drawing on executives and experts policies that impede
one absolute, from across the private sector to best our ability to deliver for
steady constant. inform decision-makers on the country’s our customers and the
transition from crisis to recovery. This is American people.
We hear the term ‘essential’ more exactly the right approach. That same spirit, grit and fortitude
frequently as of late, as truckers receive will propel our country forward, safely
high praise and widespread recognition “Truckers by nature are problem and swiftly, as we bridge from crisis to
for their heroism during the crisis. solvers. They don’t complain about recovery. It’s why the President has called
Americans are opening their eyes to the problems – they propose concrete on us to lead the way. Truckers hold the
gravity of what essential really means. The keys to restarting America’s economic
President of the United States perhaps engine, and on the backs of trucks is how
said it best recently, when he proclaimed we’ll get from here to there.
from the south lawn of the White House: But it’s up to policymakers in both
“Thank God for truckers.” Congress and the federal agencies to
provide a stable foundation of support.
Amen. Truckers are the difference The task before us is paramount, and the
between store shelves getting restocked stakes could not be higher. The livelihoods
and remaining empty. They’re why doctors of tens of millions of Americans hang in
and nurses have PPE to protect themselves the balance. The center of gravity of our
while treating the sick. They’re how test entire economy rests on this bridge and its
kits get to the high-impact areas so local underlying supports.
officials can mitigate the virus’ spread.
CONTINUED 
As crucial as they’ve been in responding
to the outbreak and curbing its impact,

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 13

Here are three pillars we urge higher-risk areas. As Congress considers Truckers live by the value of hard work.
federal officials in Congress and the COVID-19 assistance legislation, it They don’t seek handouts. Bailouts to our
administration to consider: should work with agencies to ensure the industry do little to ensure the survival of
resources and authorities are sufficient to motor carriers if there are no customers
First: Prioritize PPE and access support these efforts. left for us to serve.
to testing for truckers and supply-
chain workers. Outside government action, we at That’s why ATA has focused our
ATA have taken the initiative. To date, advocacy efforts on ensuring there’s ample
As we’ve said from Day One of this we have provided 4,000 face coverings at liquidity throughout the market so that
crisis: Protecting the supply-chain no cost to small and mid-size member small and medium-sized businesses –
is critical. If our workforce were carriers that, due to their size, are unable our customers – can weather this storm
compromised, our ability to move goods, to purchase these supplies in bulk. and come through the other side still
both regionally and nationally, would We have now acquired an additional standing. It’s critical that Congress keep
be jeopardized – with the potential to 100,000 face coverings, which are being funds flowing for the Paycheck Protection
trigger major disruptions to essential distributed through our federation of Program and other small business loan
supply lines. state associations and directly to member programs, which millions of employers
carriers at no cost. Furthermore, we have are relying on to keep their businesses
We are coordinating closely with partnered with Protective Insurance to afloat and employees paid.
FMCSA as more widespread testing distribute 10 55-gallon drums of hand
comes online. As more data informs sanitizer along major freight corridors Third: Invest in infrastructure.
where cases are trending by regions, states across the U.S. Underfunded roads and bridges are
and localities, we can best channel federal choking the nation’s supply lines, making
and industry resources accordingly, Second: Keep liquidity flowing in it costlier and more time consuming
and facilitate distribution of PPE to the market. to get goods to market. They’re costing
those carriers and drivers operating in

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America’s trucking typical motorist wastes 42 hours of their provide immediate and long-term
industry was crucial lives every year sitting in traffic, and the stimulus without adding a dime to the
in responding to the trucking industry loses 1.2 billion hours federal deficit.
coronavirus outbreak of productivity to congestion.
and curbing its impact, The debt tonnage we’re dropping at the
but now, as the nation Absent urgent action, this will be feet of our children and grandchildren
turns to recovery, our next big crisis – one that’s been is unconscionable, and we risk this
truckers will remain decades in the making – because of becoming COVID-19’s lasting impact
at the forefront when lapsing investments, degrading roads for decades to come. We can deny it that
called to power our and bridges and exploding national legacy, and jumpstart our economy, by
economy back up. debt. America’s truckers, farmers, starting with infrastructure.
business and labor communities stand
motorists $1,600 annually in wasted together in calling on Congress and The transition from crisis to recovery
gas, lost wages and vehicle damage. The the President to fund a comprehensive will not happen overnight. It’ll happen
infrastructure bill this year. in stages, staggered by region and driven
by data. But just as we’ve been through
With gas prices now at extreme lows, every phase of this national crisis, ATA
Congress is presented with a historic and our members are now in a position
opportunity to pass a major economic to shape this outcome. As Congress
recovery package that is fully paid considers its next move, it’d be wise to
for. Whereas the previous phases of follow trucking’s lead.
COVID-19 relief legislation have sent
our national debt soaring to dangerous Chris Spear is President and CEO of the
levels, infrastructure investment can American Trucking Associations. Visit his
organization at www.truckline.org.

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Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 15

A Load on Our Truck Is

Generations of the Barnes family
his two brothers leading the

BARNES BROTHERS: PATRICK, KEITH AND SCOTT
16 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

s a Load Off Your Mind

culminate to Keith Barnes and
industry in North Carolina

BY DAVID MONTEITH / CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL GRAY

Keith Barnes, 58 years old, is a husband, a father, a
grandfather, and president and co-owner of Barnes
Transportation Services, Inc. He’s also the Chairman of the
North Carolina Trucking Association. When asked if running
a company is more like being a parent, or a grandparent, he
initially says father, but after pondering it for a moment he adds,
“It’s also like being a brother. I’d probably say it’s more like being a
brother than being a father.”
CONTINUED 

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 17

That’s understandable considering cold Sunday mornings. Dressed in the industry. Patrick, the youngest, was
the history of Barnes Transportation. church clothes, they would hop from always more mechanically inclined.
Back in 1939, three brothers with three truck to truck spraying cans of ether Scott, the middle brother, helped out
used tractors founded Barnes Truck to start cold engines. A job well-done with dispatch, sales, and operations.
Line. The company motto, “A load on often earned them doughnuts, but
our truck is a load off your mind,” was the fun had before church sometimes “Dad kind of led us in different
born during that time. Henry, Keith’s resulted in a tongue-lashing from directions,” Keith says. But, he points
grandfather, along with Eddie and Roy their mom after church when the out, they all started at the bottom of the
Barnes grew the company for over boys’ clothes were covered in dirt company and worked their way up. Keith
three decades before selling it to Old and grease. mowed lawns and collected trash before
Dominion Freight Lines. Henry’s son, stints with the mechanics in the shop
Louis ran Barnes Truck Line during Keith’s dad says, back in those days, and in dispatch, neither of which ended
and after the merger, then started his adding to his fleet was a treat for the up being his calling in the industry.
own company. Also during that time, three brothers.
Louis had three sons: Keith, the oldest, Keith is a storyteller with an easy
followed by Scott, and Patrick. “When I was buying new trucks, I humor that he’s willing to point at
always carried one home and left it at my himself. His stories about his younger
Keith says he and his brothers were house for about two days and they slept days working in his dad’s company
born and raised to be in the trucking in it for about two days. They thought include one about his short time
business, including going to what he that was the greatest thing in the world,” in maintenance.
jokingly calls “the church of trucking.” says Louis.
As boys, Keith and his brothers would “My dad put me in the shop. He said,
sometimes stop by the truck yard on According to Keith, those early ‘Just do whatever this mechanic here
experiences helped their father let each tells you to do.’ I said, ‘Yessir. I’ll do
of the brothers find their expertise in whatever.’”

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18 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

THREE GENERATIONS OF BARNES: PATRICK, SCOTT, KEITH, LOUIS, PATRICK JR AND PAXTON

CONTINUED 

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Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 19

“So this guy’s on a creeper that’s is this guy talking about something became safety director for a while and
underneath the truck,” Keith says. overseas? We don’t go overseas, so I experienced a little bit of everything,
“All I see is a hand is come out hung up the phone.” except driving, choosing not to get a
pointing. He says, ‘Give me a Phillips CDL. “I knew if I got it, I was going to
screwdriver. And I see his hand is When his dad asked who’d called end up being gone a lot more than I
pointing toward a toolbox and another and Keith told him about hanging wanted to,” Keith says. His home and
guy standing over there by the toolbox. up on a guy claiming to be from family in Wilson, North Carolina are
So I walk over there to [the guy] and Bethlehem, he learned for the important to him. And, he adds, even
say, ‘Hey Phillip, he wants to use your first time that Bethlehem Steel in though he never drove, he did his
screwdriver.’ That’s how naïve I was.” Pennsylvania was one of the company’s share of traveling in the passenger seat
biggest customers. and unloading trailers.
After his experience in the shop,
Keith spent enough time in the Fortunately, Patrick, Keith’s youngest Starting Something New
dispatch office to know that wouldn’t brother was mechanically inclined, and
be his area of expertise either. He tells Scott found his niche in dispatch and In 1991, once again three Barnes
the story of picking up the phone one operations. Scott says his older brother brothers with three trucks decided
day and hearing a man with a strange was a natural fit for management. to start their own business. Patrick,
accent talking about Bethlehem. At “Even when we were kids, he led us. Scott, and Keith co-own Barnes
that time, he and his brothers had He’s just a good person.” Transportation Services, Inc. Their
never been out of North Carolina, and father Louis still works there, has
the only Bethlehem he knew of was Keith went to college, becoming the a vote in the decisions, and offers
from stories told in church. “I’m like, first person from his family to graduate guidance to his sons. In keeping
this is a prank call,” Keith says. “Why from college, then he went into various with the way they were raised, each
managerial positions, learning how to
hire, and occasionally fire people. He

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brother has a clear and distinct role in the recipe for the “secret sauce” that instead of saying to you ‘We can’t help
the company. Keith says if someone keeps people at Barnes Transportation, you here.’”
starts talking to him about engines, he listening to him and his brother and
steers them towards Patrick. Sales and father, it’s clear three of the ingredients If that first impression attracts a
operations questions and decisions are flexibility, a focus on getting along prospective driver and they apply,
go to Scott, and Keith handles the with one another, and an open Keith says the company does the
financial and banking aspects. door policy. typical background checks and looks
The shared ownership works well, for any history of problems. He also
according to Keith who says sibling Before even meeting potential looks for less obvious things, not easily
rivalry isn’t a concern. “I think we employers, one of the first things a found in the answers on an application
fought so much when we were growing driver will see about a company is or on a driving record.
up, we grew out of it.” its website. Echoes of Louis Barnes’
approach to raising his sons to find “People have to know how to talk to
Since starting in 1991, together their niche in trucking can be found in people and get along,” Keith says. “In
they’ve taken three trucks and turned the company’s description of itself. interviews and things like that when
it into a fleet with over 250 tractors we talk with potential people, a lot of
and 750 trailers. Keith is proud of a “Not one person is alike and that is time you can tell when somebody’s
less than 20% turnover among his why we have tried to diversify and give able to get along with others. That’s one
drivers. According to research from you as many options to provide for thing we look for.”
the American Trucking Research yourself, family and your careers. This
Institute’s (ATRI) 2019 report “Critical also gives you flexibility if you would Trust is important in a family
Issues in the Trucking Industry,” driver like to one day try flatbed, van, dump and in a family business like Barnes
retention has remained one of the truck, drayage or heavy haul. We have Transportation. Research backs this
leading concerns for fleets, despite equipment and freight for whatever up. On the topic of driver retention,
improvements since 2018. career path you choose. If you decide the ATRI report says, “Beyond
to change paths while at Barnes, we driver pay, recent research from Stay
While Keith says he’s not sure about have many others we can put you in
CONTINUED 

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 21

Metrics has identified other retention everybody when they come to work so problems can be solved before they
mechanisms including improving for us, everybody,” Keith emphasizes. get out of control.
trust between drivers and carriers and “In orientation I go in and meet every
scheduling more home time.” employee, every driver that we have, He may be too humble to admit it,
and I say, ‘Look, when you’ve got but Keith’s leadership style is likely
In addition to focusing on hiring 300 people working together, you’re another factor in what keeps drivers
people who work and play well with going to have personality conflicts.’” at Barnes Transportation. It’s obvious
others, the website, Scott, and Keith, all Employees at every level are encouraged he likes to tell stories and make others
emphasize the company’s open-door to speak up when inevitable issues arise, laugh, but when it comes to leadership,
policy as a way to foster trust. “I tell his father describes him as “level-
headed,” and “easy to get along with.”

His brother Scott uses the words
“quiet,” and “compassionate,” as he
talks about the tough times his brother
has helped him through personally,
as well as how he’s dealt with some
drivers. Scott shares the story of the
night they got unfortunate news from
the highway patrol that one of their
drivers had died of a heart attack.
Keith didn’t let the patrolmen contact
the family of the deceased driver.

“[Keith] came over and picked me
up,” Scott says, “and it was a couple
hours drive away, but we knocked on
the door, told them and sat with them
all night.”

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Gary Sensing P.O. Box 235 He started dating the woman (Susan)
Scott Sensing Thomasville, NC 27361 who would eventually become his wife
Steve Sensing when he was in the 8th grade. They’ve
Greg Marvin FAX (336) 475-4868 been married 33 years. You might
[email protected] think someone who values that sort of
stability would be resistant to change,
but Keith Barnes seems to roll with
whatever comes his way.

He lists electronic logs as one of the
most notable changes to trucking in
his lifetime. When the new technology
was introduced, he admits to being
worried about the number of drivers
Barnes Transportation would lose by
requiring the new tracking equipment.
Initially there was resistance, of course,
and a handful of drivers moved on, but
now he says they’d lose more drivers
by taking it away than they did when
mandating it. Drivers no longer have

22 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

to spend their time doing the math of Transportation, the long-haul aspect of has been adopted over the past
trips. And, he says, it has leveled the trucking had been on a steady decline, few years.
playing field because those drivers and so the company opted to diversify into
companies who don’t cheat on their shorter routes and expand into new Recently, flatbeds were added to the
logs are no longer at a disadvantage areas. With the exception of a brokerage fleet, and a heavy haul and specialized
to those who do. More recently, division added in 1996, the company division was created, which includes
Barnes has added both forward- had focused more on growing the size drayage services and a fleet of 15
facing, and inward-facing cameras to of the fleet and increasing the types of dump trucks.
protect their drivers and their loads. loads they could handle. A new strategy
Communicating the reasons and CONTINUED 
benefits with drivers has helped the
company overcome the turbulence MGS
anytime a new feature is introduced.
Millberg
Keith credits his son Paxton and
the NCTA with helping him navigate Gordon
the rapid advancements of trucking
technology and the constantly evolving Stewart
needs of the industry. Like drivers
being asked to adjust to regulations Millberg Gordon Stewart PLLC defends client in The firm practices in the fields of transporta-
or safety features, Keith was at first civil litigation throughout North and South Car- tion litigation (rail and trucking), employment
reluctant to participate in the NCTA, olina. Since its establishment in 1994, MGS litigation, product liability, and general
often sending his safety director to the has built a reputation for handling its clients’ commercial litigation.
meetings instead of going himself. legal affairs with skill and vigor. The firm’s attor- MGS has been recognized by a Class
neys are experience trial lawyers who regularly I railroad as its “Go-To” Law Firm for tort
It wasn’t long after attending a defend and try cases for target defendants, defense; has been honored as Product Lia-
meeting that he learned the value of often against the best of the plaintiffs’ trial bar. bility Law Firm of the Year in NC; and has
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Keith says he’s also learned a lot from
his son Paxton. Like his father, Paxton
was introduced at the bottom rung
of the company ladder. He’s now a
director of business development.

After being told that Paxton wanted
to work at Barnes Transportation after
college, Keith says with characteristic
humor, “I preferred that he work with
somebody else, so somebody else
could yell at him a while,” but then he
says more seriously, “I’ve got to give
credit to my son, coming in with a
fresh set of eyes and getting us to do
some things differently.”

From the perspective of Barnes

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 23

“The only thing we don’t deliver every day in trucking, Keith says, even INSIDE SCOOP
are babies,” Keith says, even though when the world isn’t in the middle
both of his children have spent time in of pandemic. He has plenty to look
the industry. His daughter, Kenan, has forward to though. With one grandson
worked in the past for both Raleigh already, and one more on the way
Transit Authority and NCTA's offices, in November, it seems likely that
and now is focused on her job at Barnes Transportation Services will
Metlife and getting her master's degree. someday be home to five generations
of truckers.
There’s a new problem to solve

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24 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

How Long Will

North Carolina’s Recovery Take

BY DR. MIKE WALDEN
GUEST WRITER

Iusually pepper my public overwhelming the health care system. includes restaurants, hotels and tourism
presentations with some humor. Still, if reopening were to proceed – lost half – that’s right – 50 percent – of
After all, even I know economics perfectly, we know the economy will its jobs during February through April.
can be a rather dull and dry subject. likely never be the same. Maybe as high The personal services sector was the
Injecting some jokes and laughter as 20 percent of businesses will have second biggest loser, with over 1 in 5
lightens the mood and makes me – failed, and many kinds of jobs won’t jobs cut, and retail trade and business
a professional economist – seem to come back, or – if they do – they’ll be services also suffered big losses. In North
be just a “regular person,” which I dramatically changed. Carolina, construction, financial services
really am. and government had the smallest losses at
I have two goals in this article. The first under six percent in each.
One of my go-to attempts at humor is to show how North Carolina’s economy
has been a reply to a typical question has already been impacted by the virus, The virus also didn’t affect geographic
about the economic future. When asked, I mainly in terms of jobs. I’ll show what areas of North Carolina equally. Asheville,
would say I have an air-tight, 100 percent industries have most been affected, as well Hickory, Burlington and Wilmington
accurate forecast for the economic as what regions of the state have suffered all lost almost 20 percent of their jobs
outlook.  “The economy will definitely” – more or less damage. from February thru April.   Asheville
here I would pause for effect – “fluctuate.” and Wilmington were slammed by the
My joke would generally receive a round My second goal is to look into the virus because they rely heavily on the
of laughs. economic future. What are economists hospitality and tourism industries, and
predicting about the pace of future people were just not traveling between
I’m not using that joke, or really many growth and job creation? When – if ever – February and April. Hickory and
jokes at all today. People are very serious will we return to the kind of economy we Burlington are major stops on I-40 for
about the current economy; indeed, many had prior to the virus? commercial and interstate traffic, so with
are scared. It’s easy to understand why. this kind of traffic interrupted during the
The coronavirus is still at large, and most So far, the worst part of the economic virus shut-down, their economies were
of us won’t stop worrying about it until damage from the virus occurred from hit hard.
a vaccine is available. And, of course, February to April. Total employment in
to contain the spread of the virus, the the country fell a whopping 14.5 percent In contrast, Durham-Chapel Hill, New
country has endured months of major during that period. North Carolina fared Bern and Rocky Mount had much milder
parts of the economy being shut-down.   a little better with a drop of 13.5 percent job losses, at near 10 percent. But the prize
in jobs. for the smallest job losses during the peak
Furthermore, even as we gradually
re-open the economy, we have to worry However, the job losses weren’t equally CONTINUED 
about the virus returning and possibly distributed across sectors of the economy.
The leisure/hospitality sector – which

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 25

of the virus goes to rural North Carolina. how fast will the state economy get better? has already bottomed out and is on
Here jobs dropped “only” five percent Although economists are not known the way up. That’s the good news. The
during February to April.   bad news is that the forecasts suggest it
for agreeing with each other, in the will not be until 2023 before the size of
Several reasons accounted for this case of the economic recovery from the North Carolina economy returns
relatively good news. Rural North the coronavirus they appear to be quite to its pre-virus levels. Also, the state’s
Carolina depends more on agriculture, agreeable. I’ve looked at numerous unemployment rate in 2023 will still be
and agriculture was designated an economic forecasts from both public 1.5 percentage points higher than it was
“essential” business and therefore was and private sources, and they show a this past January.
not curtailed. Industries that suffered big remarkable amount of consistency.  
losses, like leisure/hospitality and personal Should you frown and cry or smile and
services, are less important in many The forecasts suggest we’ve already yell “yippie” at these forecasts? I really don’t
rural areas. Also, since the virus typically been through the worst of the economic know, but – as always – you decide.
spreads at a slower rate in less dense areas, damage. The economic recovery will begin
local governments in rural regions were in July – actually some say it’s already Walden is a Reynolds Distinguished
more likely to impose less restrictive shut- begun – and it will be relatively strong Professor and Extension Economist in
down rules. through the remainder of 2020. Economic the Department of Agricultural and
growth will continue in 2021 and 2022, Resource Economics at North Carolina
The bottom line of this discussion is although at a much slower pace. State University who teaches and writes
clearly the virus has been bad for the on personal finance, economic outlook
North Carolina economy. Everyone In terms of North Carolina, these and public policy. Article reprinted
knows this – I’ve just put numbers on it. forecasts suggest the state’s aggregate with permission.
Now, the next questions are, when and production (the sum of all economic
activity, including products and services)

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26 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

NCTA Members Come to the Rescue

Food Lion, Chambers Transportation answered the call for help from
Rice N Beans and the rest is history

Want to hear some good news for BY TODD TRAUB drive it down there and was willing
a change? CONTRIBUTING WRITER to pay for it and all that kind of
During the coronavirus pandemic great stuff.”
the headlines have been rife with Transportation, was in the midst of a
controversy, dire warnings and grim project unprecedented in size and was Chambers said NCTA members
statistics. But in late May and early unable to respond, but Chambers was stepped up — he and his family helped
June, North Carolina Transportation confident in the generous spirit of the with the meal packaging and loading
Association member Food Lion loaded NCTA members. the trucks — but Food Lion was the
up the trucks and helped deliver good only company that refused any fees
news to a hard-hit part of the world. “I said ‘I will reach out to the or payment. 
association and I am quite sure that
And food. It also brought food.  we’ll find somebody who will help,’ “ “I had told the charity about how
On behalf of the Charlotte-based he said. much it would be just from me
ministry Rebuilding Paradise/Rice knowing pricing,” Chambers said.
N Beans, Food Lion voluntarily The meals were packed in North “And they were okay with it. And then
and at no charge delivered 107,000 Carolina from May 28-30, with I told Food Lion that they were willing
prepared meals to Miami for shipment transportation and delivery taking to pay for it and they said ‘We’ll work it
to Roatan, an island located about place into early June. out and do it for free.’ “
35 miles off the coast of Honduras
in the Western Caribbean. COVID Daryl Sutherland, founder and CEO Chambers said he was pleasantly
restrictions and related problems had of Rebuilding Paradise/Rice N Beans surprised by Food Lion’s generosity,
left Roatan’s communities without had asked for help shipping the food and only after the fact did he learn
reliable food sources. in an announcement on Facebook. of the company’s own hunger-
“The island had been shut off and Chambers learned of the need through fighting history.
they were cut off from food,” said his wife, a long-time Sutherland friend
Ryan Chambers, who learned of the and fellow church member, who had Based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957,
need while serving his last weeks seen the post. Food Lion has more than 1,000 stores
as chairman of the North Carolina in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The
Trucking Association. Ordinarily Rice N Beans would have company has made fighting hunger the
Chambers’ own company, Chambers purchased the food in Roatan, but centerpiece of its philanthropic efforts,
thanks to COVID, that wasn’t possible.  partnering with a number of local

“So they decided they were going to CONTINUED 
pack up these pre-packed meals and
get them taken down to the port down
in Miami,” Chambers said. “And he
was looking for someone who could

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 27

RYAN CHAMBERS (R), CHAMBERS TRANSPORTATION WITH FELLOW and national organizations, including
VOLUNTEER, OWNER OF FURNITURE LIQUIDATORS Feeding America, the largest hunger
relief organization in the U.S. Through
its network of 200 food banks and
60,000 pantries and meal programs,
Feeding America provides meals to
more than 40 million people each year.

Other Food Lion hunger-fighting
partners include the American
Red Cross, FoodFinder, Operation
Homefront and No Kid Hungry, as well
as local food banks. 

Through its charitable foundation
Food Lion Feeds, the company is
committed to providing one billion
meals to people in need by 2025 and
has been fighting pandemic-related
food insecurity with drives and cash
donations since early spring. 

The Roatan effort was right in line with
Food Lion’s other efforts.

“They did a fantastic job,” Chambers
said. “They’re really good people.”

For more information on Rice N Beans,
please visit ricenbeans.org

LISA CHAMBERS, CHAMBERS TRANSPORTATION, WITH DAUGHTERS, CLARA AND ELLA
28 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

FOOD LION

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Hotel reservation deadline: Friday, Sept. 18

The first NCTA Leadership Conference brings together industry
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to enhance company performance. Join business decision-makers to
prepare to face the new set of challenges we are experiencing this year.

For more information about registering for the conference and/or becoming a sponsor,
please call Crystal Collins at email at [email protected] or (919) 561-4679.

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 29

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This edition of Tarheel Wheels was made this publication to its members, prospective Southern Truck Insurance Brokers
possible with the support of these corporate members, elected officials and the business sttruckins.com 22
advertisers, all NCTA members. They support community at large. They deserve your
the trucking industry by enabling North consideration and patronage when making Tarheel Wheels 30
Carolina Trucking Association to provide your corporate purchasing decisions. Thank you!
Thermo King
tkcentralcarolinas.com 15

30 •TARHEEL WHEELS Q2 SUMMER 2020

800.228.8602 Values Drive Performance

gwccnet.com Shared Values Can Lead to Organizational Excellence

We understand you are in business to make a profit. Our Value-Driven®
Company modules can help you reduce losses and increase profits by focusing on
influencing employee behavior, changing culture, improving communication, and
managing risk successfully.

We believe it is everyone’s job to do what they can to prevent losses. We have
developed a variety of training tools to help get all employees involved in safety. From
seminars and webinars to Self-Service e-Tools and FAQs, we have solutions to fit your
operations.

We see “Critical Crashes” as a risk to your company. Our Value-Driven® Driving
program focuses on helping drivers do what they can to prevent these types of accidents:
rear-end, loss of control, lane change, and run under. All of our driver training programs are
FREE to our insureds and can be accessed 24/7 on Great West’s Online Learning Library.

GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY – No matter where the road takes you, you
will discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service®.

Q2 SUMMER 2020 TARHEEL WHEELS • 31

Kirk’s Sineath Towing

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

336-272-3456

www.kstowing.com

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