ATR 1 2022 digital

Award-Winning Magazine of the Arkansas Trucking Association Vol. 27 | Issue 1 2022 | $4.95

















































NIKKI RAY



Not Far from the Tree

































Settlements Vs. Verdicts | STANDARDIZED TRAINING | PODCASTS

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IN THIS ISSUE




VOLUME 27 | ISSUE 1 2022





















FEATURES


COVER STORY
NOT FAR FROM THE TREE 24
Nikki Ray on the trucking family tree
at Paul Ray Trucking in Nashville, Ark.
By Bethany May


CAPITOL WATCH
TRAINING ON THE SAME PAGE 16
FMCSA rules will standardize training
for new drivers earning a CDL
By Todd Traub

WHEN SETTLEMENTS ARE LARGER THAN VERDICTS 20
DEPARTMENTS ATRI study reports beyond the nuclear verdict;
settlements and below $1 million verdicts
Up Front: by Shannon Newton 7 still leave a big impact on industry
They Said It 9 By Steve Brawner
News in Brief 10
New Members 12 TRADE SECRETS
Advertiser Resource Index 13
Calendar of Events 14 OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND INTO A TRUCK 32
Council Quarterly 41 A program to train bus drivers could provide
Insider Trucking 42 a piece of the truck driver shortage puzzle
Stat View 44 By Eric Francis
The Last Word: by Roby Brock 46
NOW WE’RE TALKING 36
Listening audiences inside and outside the industry
are tuning into podcasts about trucking
By Bethany May






PHOTOGRAPHY ON THIS PAGE AND COVER BY JOHN DAVID PITTMAN

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 5

WHAT MAKES








US TICK?















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To find out more, call your local dealer or visit www.utilitytrailer.com.

UP FRONT



Award-Winning Magazine of the Arkansas Trucking Association
Arkansas Trucking Report is owned by the Arkansas Trucking Association,
Inc. and is published bimonthly. For additional copies, to order reprints
of individual articles or to become a subscriber to ATR, contact us at
[email protected] or at 501.372.3462.
executive editor
SHANNON SAMPLES NEWTON
managing editor
BETHANY MAY
contributing writers IN THE QUEUE
STEVE BRAWNER DEANA NALL
[email protected] [email protected]
ERIC FRANCIS TODD TRAUB Whether you’re eager for your first set of keys and real freedom or seeking a
[email protected] [email protected]
DAVID MONTEITH DINA GRUEY professional license to earn a living, getting a driving license is a process. Some take
[email protected] [email protected]
ROBERT O’CONNER drivers’ education courses to prepare, and others flip through the little study guides
[email protected]
art director provided by the state police. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a highlighted
JON D. KENNEDY
The Freelance Co. LLC, [email protected] version to expedite my studies. After filling in the bubbles and answering dozens of
production editors questions to prove we could decode traffic signs and understood right-of-way at various
KELLY CARGILL CROW, SARAH NEWMAN, KELCIE SONNIER, KATIE THOMASON
illustrator stops, we were only halfway to our license.
BRENT BENNETT
[email protected]
photographers The last step is getting behind the wheel with a test examiner. It’s the same for
JON D. KENNEDY, JOHN DAVID PITTMAN
commercial drivers; before someone can earn their CDL, they have to pass a skills test.
Unlike the multiple-choice knowledge test which can be conducted with one proctor
and several testers at a time, a skills test is one-on-one and therefore takes more human
www.arkansastrucking.com resources and time. While there are more exam locations than counties for individuals
president
SHANNON SAMPLES NEWTON looking to get their Arkansas driver’s license, for a CDL skills test, there are only six
[email protected]
vice president places in the state to go: Little Rock, Newport, Russellville, Hope, Harrison or Lowell.
KELLY CARGILL CROW
[email protected] In December, I serendipitously learned that some individuals were in a weeks-long
director of operations
SARAH NEWMAN
[email protected] queue to take the CDL skills test.
director of corporate services
KATIE THOMASON
[email protected] As an industry, we are constantly feeling the pressure of demand exceeding the number
communications director of available drivers. In my position as industry advocate, it is my job to enhance and
BETHANY MAY
[email protected]
director of safety and loss prevention expedite the workforce pipeline that we rely on to provide the flow of qualified workers.
MIKE BRUST
[email protected] The dearth of CDL examiners presented a blocked pipe.
administrative assistant
KELCIE SONNIER
[email protected] When I learned that the wait for a potential driver scheduling a test could be six weeks,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS I started asking around and found that the problem wasn’t isolated to just one location.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD The clogged pipe could be affecting drivers and carriers who want to hire them all over
MARK MORRIS
Morris Transportation Services, LLC the state.
President
MICHAEL BARR MIKE MCNUTT
JM Bozeman Enterprises Distribution Solutions, Inc. I knew this was unacceptable. The economy needs people to go to work. The supply
CEO CEO, Owner
ROCHELLE BARTHOLOMEW LANCE MOLL
CalArk International, Inc. FedEx Freight chain is reeling with consumer demand and capacity constraints. We immediately
President President & CEO
GREG CARMAN JAMES REED raised concerns to the state police and alerted the governor’s office of the importance
Carman, Inc. USA Truck
President CEO of well-staffed testing centers.
JOHN CULP G.E. “BUTCH” RICE III
Maverick USA Stallion Transportation Group
President President
JUSTIN FINK ALAN RIELS Within six weeks of taking these complaints up the chain, the CDL examiner vacancies
Allegiance Trucks Dedicated Logistics
Managing Director President & CEO were filled and the sites started moving through the backlog of waiting testers. Needs
JEFF HAMMONDS SETH RUNSER
Walmart Transportation LLC ABF Freight remain for more positions, facilities, urgency, but this time, we were able to get loud on
Vice President of Logistics President
CRAIG HARPER PATRICK SIMMONS your behalf.
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. Tyson Foods
Chief Sustainability Officer, EVP Vice President Transportation
AL HERINGER IV GABE STEPHENS
Star Transportation, LLC C.C. Jones, Inc. We talk a lot about the workforce pipeline and how there are never enough drivers
Vice President Vice President
ROB KIBBE JOE VITIRITTO coming down the pipe. The first way we address this problem is just making sure that the
Aon PAM Transport
Executive Director Client Services President & CEO plumbing is in working order. When we know about what’s in your way, we can work to
JEFF LOGGINS DOUG VOSS
Loggins Logistics, Inc. University of Central Arkansas
President & CEO Professor of Logistics & Supply move it. Sometimes it requires policy change or funding or educating the public.
Chain Management
An affiliate of the American Trucking We should be celebrating the drivers acing their skills tests and stepping into their first
Associations trucking jobs, not hoping that they don’t drop out of line because the queue is too long.
Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is an Arkansas corporation of trucking
companies, private carrier fleets and businesses which serve or supply the
trucking industry. ATA serves these companies as a governmental affairs
representative before legislative, regulatory and executive branches of
government on issues that affect the trucking industry. The organization also
provides public relations services, workers’ compensation insurance, operational
services and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.
For information, contact ATA at:
1401 West Capitol, Suite 185
Post Office Box 3476 (72203)
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Drivers Legal Plan Shannon Newton
Phone 501.372.3462 Fax 501.376.1810
www.arkansastrucking.com President, Arkansas Trucking Association

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 Drivers Legal Plan 7

TRUCK SALES | PARTS | SERVICE | BODY SHOP
LEASING & RENTAL | FINANCE | CARRIER





Online Parts Store: Truck Parts Delivered to Your Door
parts.mhc.com







Jonesboro Fort Smith
MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing
(855) 483-6994 (866) 804-7860

Little Rock Springdale
MHC Kenworth MHC Kenworth/Volvo
(866) 419-5718 (866) 271-0785
MHC Truck Leasing
(866) 862-5283 Van Buren
MHC Carrier Transicold MHC Kenworth
(866) 243-9660 (866) 811-1358
Dealership
Leasing & Rental
Truck Source RoadReady
Carrier TRP


OVER 125 LOCATIONS IN 19 STATES

TRUCK SALES | PARTS | SERVICE | BODY SHOP THEY SAID IT
LEASING & RENTAL | FINANCE | CARRIER





Online Parts Store: Truck Parts Delivered to Your Door
parts.mhc.com


“I do think money faucets “Ms. Chase would you consider
are going to flow. As soon as manning military vehicles an easy job?

Jonesboro Fort Smith that money is appropriated,
MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing you’re going to see historic . . . If 18 is old enough to die for your
(855) 483-6994 (866) 804-7860 levels of funding become country, is it not old enough to choose to
available for roads, transit
Little Rock Springdale make an honest living as a truck driver?”
MHC Kenworth MHC Kenworth/Volvo and a lot of other modes of
(866) 419-5718 (866) 271-0785 transportation.” —Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) questioning Cathy Chase,
president of the Advocates for Highway and Auto
MHC Truck Leasing —Shannon Newton, Arkansas Trucking Association president, Safety, during a House Transportation & Infrastructure
(866) 862-5283 Van Buren on federal infrastructure spending Committee hearing, on her stance that driving military
MHC Carrier Transicold MHC Kenworth vehicles at 18 years old and driving commercial trucks at
(866) 243-9660 (866) 811-1358 18 years old are not comparable tasks
Dealership
Leasing & Rental
Truck Source RoadReady
Carrier TRP “I got to the line, that is all that matters. I am now an Olympian.”


OVER 125 LOCATIONS IN 19 STATES —Casey Dawson, American speed skater, who arrived in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics just eight hours before his
event. He tested positive for COVID-19 and was not able to fly to China with his teammates and had to test negative before he
was allowed to travel. After his luggage was lost, a Latvian skater lent Dawson blades to compete in the men’s 1500m.



“We successfully challenged this misguided “There is one
mandate all the way to the U.S. Supreme
Court, because it was a clear overstep of thing that we

OSHA’s authority, and because it would do not have a
have had disastrous consequences for an shortage of, and
already-overstressed supply chain. The that is shortages,

Supreme Court bounced it, and we are
pleased to see the agency has now formally because reportedly,

withdrawn it, sending this ETS to the dustbin America is
where it belongs.” running out of

—American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said in a Jan. 25 EVERYTHING.”
statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to stay OSHA’s rules that would have
required companies with 100 or more employees to see that their employees —Stephen Colbert in a monologue,
get vaccinated, or wear face coverings and test weekly. The agency has since poking fun at the ongoing global
withdrawn the emergency temporary standard to pursue the normal rulemaking supply chain interruptions on his CBS
process. program, The Late Show

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 9

NEWS IN BRIEF WE CAN FIX THIS.



















JEFF HOLMES SUCCEEDS JAY “We look forward to working with mitted drivers to deliver every day,”
THOMPSON AS ARKANSAS Chief Holmes and continuing our work said Arkansas Trucking Association
HIGHWAY POLICE CHIEF to make highways safe for everyone in President Shannon Newton. “There has
Jeff Holmes the state,” Newton said. never in history been a greater need to
has been named invest in a skilled workforce in order
chief of Arkansas TRUCKING LEGACY’S FAMILY to meet the growing freight demands
Highway Police INVESTS IN FUTURE WORKFORCE of the American economy. Identifying
after the retirement The family of one of the oldest and removing barriers for people to
of former chief Jay trucking companies in the state is access this career path is so important.
Thompson. investing in the workforce of the Scholarships like this one remove a
Holmes has industry. On Jan. 19, NorthWest financial barrier and provide that access
worked with Arkansas Community College in
the Arkansas Bentonville announced the creation
Department of of the Willis Shaw Family
Transportation Endowed Scholarship
since 1993 when for the college’s
he was a highway patrol officer in West commercial
Memphis. In 1998, He has held roles of driver’s license
patrol officer first class, AHP sergeant, training program.
first lieutenant in special services, cap- “We are
tain and district commander. honored to support
Jay Thompson officially retired CDL students who will
from the department in November after impact our nation down the
a 30-year career. He served as AHP chief road,” said Damon Shaw, grandson
since 2018 and was the president of the of Willis Shaw. “Truckers are the back-
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in bone of America, and we look forward to a
2016 and 2019. to seeing this program grow. Through future generation. Call us first for personal attention
Arkansas Highway Police Chief this gift, we seek to honor Mr. Willis “ATA applauds this invest-
Jay Thompson has been a friend and Shaw’s hard work and dedication.” ment and welcomes all of the and quicker turn-around service!
partner to the trucking industry, The Shaw family endowed the young people who will find
always willing to answer enforcement scholarship in memory of trucking successful careers and provide
questions, celebrate the safest and pioneer, Willis Shaw, who founded for their families through
most skilled drivers and law enforce- Will Shaw Express Inc. in 1940. His trucking.”
ment officers at the annual Arkansas legacy includes being an early innovator NWACC’s CDL training
Trucking Championship, and promote in refrigerated trucking and develop- program is the result of a $288,700
safer roads for every driver in the state. ing long-haul transit for live poultry. Regional Workforce Grant from the
“The industry is grateful for Jay’s He was inducted into the Arkansas Arkansas Department of Higher We Know What
contributions to safety on Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2009 and died Education. In February 2022, the Trucking Needs!
roads,” Arkansas Trucking Association in 2014 at the age of 95. program began enrolling students for
President Shannon Newton said. “We “The trucking industry and com- 160 hours of classroom instruction and FREE ESTIMATES
wish him health and happiness in his munities all over the state and nation in-cab training. INSURANCE CLAIMS 501.354.8406 OWNERS
retirement. rely on well-trained, professional, com-  CONVENIENT I-40, 61 WST Circle OPERATORS

10 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT EXIT 107 LOCATION Morrilton, Arkansas FLEET MANAGERS

WE CAN FIX THIS.





























































Call us first for personal attention


and quicker turn-around service!











We Know What
Trucking Needs!


FREE ESTIMATES 501.354.8406
INSURANCE CLAIMS OWNERS
CONVENIENT I-40, 61 WST Circle OPERATORS
EXIT 107 LOCATION Morrilton, Arkansas FLEET MANAGERS

Transportation that found over 60% of
WELCOME, truckers reported spending an hour or
more per day looking for parking.
NEW ATA MEMBERS! high costs of owning or leasing land for
Tax incentives would focus on the

parking.
House Bill 1706 would require
Together, We Are the Power of Association “retail establishments” to allow drivers
to use their restrooms. Currently, no
We welcome the following new members. Each new member federal or state regulations address the
adds to the Arkansas trucking industry’s collective strength to lack of restroom access for commercial
promote, protect and serve with a unified voice. drivers.
Rep. Mike Sells, who introduced the
CARRIER MEMBERS RBFT, INC. bill, said, “The basic goal of this legisla-
BLUE RIBBON TRUCKING Russellville, Ark. tion is to bring truckers relief, literally,
Rogers, Ark. 479-967-2181 by requiring retail establishments and
https://br.industries Number of trucks: 5 ports to allow them to use restroom
479-636-1717 RIDDLE & ASSOCIATES, INC. facilities.
Number of trucks: 21 Greenbrier, Ark WTA, OOIDA and the American
501-730-5445 Trucking Associations support these
Number of trucks: 3 pieces of legislation as good first steps
for giving drivers access to safe and nec-
essary facilities while on the job.
NEWS IN BRIEF, Association and the Owner-Operator “Carriers and drivers need more
Continued from page 10 Independent Drivers Association are places to park and use the restroom,”
supporting the pending legislation that said Sheri Call, WTA president and
would provide a tax incentive to the pri- CEO. “It’s really that simple. These are
WASHINGTON STATE PROPOSES vate sector to construct new truck park- critical pieces to the supply chain puzzle
TRUCK PARKING AND RESTROOM ing spaces (HB 1657) and give truck that need to be addressed.”
ACCESS LEGISLATION drivers more access to restrooms at
Two bills in the Washington State retail establishments and port facilities UCR FEES TO DECLINE BY 27%
Legislature could address the availability throughout the state (HB 1706).
of parking and restroom facilities for House Bill 1657 cites a 2016 study
truck drivers. Washington Trucking by the Washington State Department of



















The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration announced that fees for
Unified Carrier Registration Plan will be
reduced 27% next year.
The 2023 UCR fees will be reduced
for companies with up to two power
units from the current $59 to $43. For
companies with 1,001 or more units,

12 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

ADVERTISER
fees will drop from the current $56,977 labor professions across the state. In
to $41,627. the years since, one trailer has trav-
The UCR requires people and com- eled across the state reaching more RESOURCE INDEX
panies that operate commercial motor than 116,000 students across 396 cities
vehicles in interstate or international and 679 tour stops. Students receive Aon ..................................Inside Front Cover
commerce to register businesses with a a hands-on experience of the types of
participating state and pay an annual skilled professions they can join after
fee based on the size of your fleet. It high school. The workshop now has Arkansas Department of Transportation ..35
was created in 2005, and 41 states, more stations, represents 16 career
including Arkansas, participate in the paths, has accumulated a two-year wait-
UCR agreement. The participating states ing list and inspired similar campaigns Arkansas Trucking
Association .......................23, 30, 34, 40, 47
receive a portion of the $100 million in other states.
collected annually for safety enforce- This grant, provided by the Office
ment programs. of Skills Development, bolsters Be Pro Be Custard Insurance Adjusters .....................19
Proud’s efforts to lead in the workforce
BE PRO AWARDED $1.4 MILLION development space. Be Pro Be Proud
FOR SECOND MOBILE WORKSHOP revolutionized workforce development Drivers Legal Plan .....................................28
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson when the Be Pro Mobile Workshop was
approved a $1.45 million grant for a conceptualized as a unit that utilizes
second “Be Pro Be Proud” mobile work- virtual reality simulations to place high Great West Casualty Company .................39
shop to share with high school students school and middle school students into
the opportunities available through the life of a skilled professional.
technical careers in the state. At the event unveiling the grant McGriff .....................................................45
When the Arkansas State Chamber approval, Randy Zook, chief executive
of Commerce joined with industry officer and president of the Arkansas
partners like the Arkansas Trucking State Chamber of Commerce/Associated MHC ............................................................8
Association in 2015, the Be Pro initia- Industries of Arkansas, said private sec-
tive began taking shape to address the tor officials greatly underestimated the
ongoing workforce shortages in skilled potential for this initiative. Rush Truck Centers .....................................4


Southern Tire Mart .....................................3



Stallion Transportation ...............Back Cover


Triangle Transportation.............................26



Utility Tri-State, Inc.....................................6



Wayne Smith Trucking .............................11



This edition of Arkansas Trucking Report
was made possible with the support of these
corporate advertisers. They support the
trucking industry by enabling ATA to provide
this publication to its members, prospective
members, elected officials and the national
trucking and business community at large.
They deserve your consideration and patronage
when making your corporate purchasing
decisions. Thank you!


ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 13

In 2021, there were 2,140
CALENDAR OF EVENTS crashes reported in Arkansas work
zones — resulting in 16 fatalities and 54
serious injuries.
“We are urging Arkansans to do
MARCH APRIL 27 – 29 their part: slow down in work zones,
AMERICAN TRUCKING stay off the phone, and pay attention,”
MARCH 13–APRIL 4 ASSOCIATIONS SMC AND TSC said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “It’s
ATA PLAY FOR THE PAC BRACKET SAFETY, SECURITY & HUMAN
CHALLENGE RESOURCES NATIONAL going to take all of us working together
Virtual to reverse this concerning trend.”
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
MARCH 31 Orlando, Fla. Motorists using their phones, fol-
MAINTENANCE & TECHNOLOGY MAY lowing too closely or speeding in work
COUNCIL MEETING zones will be issued citations.
Virtual MAY 11 – 13 “As crews go about their jobs
APRIL ARKANSAS TRUCKING improving Arkansas highways, they
ASSOCIATION ANNUAL BUSINESS
APRIL 4-6 CONFERENCE & VENDOR deserve our best attempts to make their
CALL ON WASHINGTON SHOWCASE work environment as safe as possible,”
Washington, D.C. Hot Springs, Ark. said ASP Director Colonel Bill Bryant.
APRIL 14 JUNE “It’s our duty to protect work zones,
NATMI INNOVATIVE DRIVER the men and women working within
RETENTION STRATEGIES JUNE 23 – 25 them and the citizens driving through
Virtual ARKANSAS TRUCKING
CHAMPIONSHIPS them,” said AHP Chief Jeff Holmes.
Rogers, Ark. “We have zero tolerance for distracted

For calendar information, and reckless driving. We hope this cam-
visit arkansastrucking.com paign makes it clear that we need peo-
ple to slow down and put their phone
down when entering a work zone.”

NEWS IN BRIEF, fall, AHC and ARDOT began planning COULD EVEN WAREHOUSE

Continued from page 13 a campaign to educate passenger vehicle WORK GO REMOTE?
drivers and commercial motor vehicle Since the pandemic began, many
drivers how to share the road safely in employees stopped commuting to an
Teachers, colleges and employers work zones. office and began logging on from home
have shared positive experiences of how The Slow Down, Phone Down to earn their paycheck. Some analysts
the campaign has changed attitudes and campaign will deploy increased ASP and predict that 25% of professional jobs in
enrollment for technical education. AHP patrols in work zones to watch for North America will be remote by the
U.S. Rep. French Hill said, “Hats off dangerous driving. The goal is to elimi- end of the year. But less expected is that
to Randy Zook and his team for putting nate preventable accidents. non-office jobs have remote-potential.
this on the road and making it a reality.
It’s a game changer.”

SLOW DOWN, PHONE DOWN FOR
WORK ZONE SAFETY
The Arkansas Highway Commission
and the Arkansas Department of
Transportation are launching a safety
campaign to crack down on reckless
and distracted driving in work zones
across the state.
With the passage of infrastructure
funding at both the federal and state
level, Arkansas drivers can expect to
encounter work zones maintaining and
building roads around the state. Last

14 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

NHTSA projects that an estimated
31,720 people died in motor vehicle
traffic crashes from January through
September 2021, up from the 28,325
fatalities projected for the first nine
months of 2020. The projection is the
highest number of fatalities during the
first nine months of any year since
2006.
The vehicle miles traveled from
January to September 2021 increased by
about 244 billion miles from the previ-
ous year when many states experienced
stay-at-home measures at some point in
2020.
Most states experienced increases
in the fatality rate per 100 million VMT
over the period. Given the significant
changes in fatalities in 2020 and 2021,
there was interest in the traffic safety
community in estimated changes at the
state level to assess emerging trends.
Thirty-eight states, including Arkansas,
are projected to have experienced
increases in fatalities during the first
nine months of 2021 compared to the
same period in 2020.
“This is a national crisis. We can-
not and must not accept these deaths as
Two companies are exploring The goal isn’t to replace workers, an inevitable part of everyday life,” said
technology that allows workers to NFI Chief Executive Sid Brown told Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
operate forklifts remotely, a challenge the Wall Street Journal that this kind “The good news is we now have a strate-
that could address labor shortages in of remote work could help with gy, as well as the resources and programs
warehouses. recruitment and attract people who to deliver it, thanks to the President’s
Fort Smith, Ark. based logistics like to play videogames because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The
company, ArcBest Corp. and logistics necessary skillset. National Roadway Safety Strategy is
provider NFI Industries Inc. in Camden, ArcBest is working with Phantom America’s first-ever national, compre-
N.J. have invested in Phantom Auto to integrate the remote possibilities hensive plan to significantly reduce
Inc.’s remote vehicle operation software. with autonomous technology. They deaths and injuries on our roads.”
The California startup plans to deploy are partnering to deliver remote- The number of U.S. traffic deaths
thousands of remote-enabled forklifts autonomous forklift technology to third surged in the first nine months of 2021
over the next several years. parties later this year. to 31,720, the government reported Feb.
Off-site drivers will use video and 1, keeping up a record pace of increased
audio streams to operate equipment TRAFFIC FATALITIES INCREASE dangerous driving during the coronavi-
anywhere. A single operator could THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC, rus pandemic.
control multiple forklifts in different USDOT RESPONDS WITH SAFETY Before 2019, the number of fatali-
locations throughout his or her shift. STRATEGY ties had fallen for three straight years.
Just like tech companies have According to the U.S. Department of The National Roadway Safety
found a greater talent pool when they Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Strategy is intended to reverse the trend
aren’t restricted to a geographical Safety Administration, early estimates through focus on driver behaviors,
area, warehouses could add capacity of motor vehicle traffic crashes for the infrastructure design, safer vehicles and
to meet growing ecommerce demand first nine months of 2021, fatalities have technology, speed reduction and post-
by overcoming the current staffing increased 12%, the highest in the Fatality crash care. ATR
challenges. Analysis Reporting System’s history.

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 15

Training on the Same Page




FMCSA rules will standardize training for new drivers earning a CDL










PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM








































By Todd Traub tions and input on crafting the training The ELDT final rule was based par-
Contributing Writer from trucking and transportation asso- tially on consensus recommendations
ciations. from the agency’s Entry-Level Driver
Before getting on the road, new “It wasn’t anything the industry Training Advisory Committee, the nego-
drivers will be getting on the same page. was clamoring for,” said Mike Brust, tiated rulemaking committee which
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Arkansas Trucking Association direc- held a series of meetings in 2015.
Administration’s new Entry-Level tor of safety and loss prevention. “But The curriculum doesn’t have
Driver Training regulations are aimed at when the FMCSA started to implement to drastically change the process of
creating standardized, across-the-board this, that’s when the associations got getting a CDL. There are no minimum
requirements for first-time applicants involved and helped navigate the final training hours under the ELDT, and
seeking a Commercial Driver’s License. outcome that we have.” the rules don’t require a certain
Sometimes federal regulations cre- The new ELDT and a Training number of hours for behind-the-wheel
ate undue burdens and unintended Provider Registry were mandated by training. Trainees need to score at least
consequences for motor carriers. While Congress in the 2012 Moving Ahead for an 80% on knowledge assessments
the industry wasn’t necessarily going Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP- and demonstrate proficiency behind
out of its way to demand new training 21), but the rulemaking process and the wheel with an instructor, but the
regulations, the standardized ELDT is internet technology issues at the state training is not a mandated community
getting a soft landing thanks to exemp- and federal levels caused years of delay. college course.

16 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

WHO WILL BE AFFECTED
BY THE NEW RULES
The standardized ELDT regula-
tions provide a baseline of requirements “LONG-TERM, THE IDEA IS WE’RE STANDARDIZING
and apply to first-time applicants for THE EDUCATION THAT EVERYBODY RECEIVES
Class A or Class B CDLs, those looking
to upgrade existing Class B CDLs to BEFORE THEY BECOME A NEW TRUCK DRIVER.
Class A and those obtaining a first-time EVERYBODY WILL BE TRAINED THE SAME WAY, OR
school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazard- SHOULD BE TRAINED ROUGHLY THE SAME WAY,
ous materials (H) endorsement.
Drivers issued a CDL or an S, P ON THE SAME TOPICS, SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL
or H endorsement before Feb. 7 are REDUCE ACCIDENTS AND IMPROVE SAFETY ON THE
not required to complete the training. HIGHWAYS.”
Also exempt are those who obtained a
Commercial Learner’s Permit prior to —MIKE BRUST, DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND LOSS PREVENTION,
Feb. 7 and obtained a CDL before the
CLP or renewed CLP expired. ARKANSAS TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
Additionally, anyone who meets
one of the FMCSA’s exceptions for tak-
ing a skills test—under 49 CFR Part employees to conduct in-house CDL basic pillars of hours of service, driver
383—is also exempt from the standard- training, but, with the new FMCSA wellness, whistleblower protection and
ized ELDT requirements. training regulations, the company travel qualification requirements, with
“Long-term, the idea is we’re stan- recently contracted with Northwest the details of the training varying from
dardizing the education that everybody Arkansas Community College and state to state, though there was a mini-
receives before they become a new truck Northwest Technical Institute. mum training hours requirement.
driver,” Brust said. “Everybody will be “We’re going to continue to “[In the new ELDT] there is no
trained on the same topics, so hopefully do that. It’s going to cost us a little required minimum hours, but you do
that will reduce accidents and improve money,” said Hansen, who explained have to cover 30 items and behind the
safety on the highways.” that APAC-Central drivers are expected wheel training, which is additional
In many corners, as it turns out, to spend at least a year with the com- training,” Brust said.
CDL training has already been provid- pany after having their CDL training Brust pointed out that the FMCSA’s
ing much of what the new requirements paid for. primary motivation is safety and that
cover. But the new regulations are more the standardized training is seen as a
thorough, and the FMCSA is making NEW CURRICULUM way of reducing accidents by providing
operational a Training Provider Registry For companies and organizations consistent instruction for all incoming
which will keep records of which CDL that already have a structured train- drivers across the U.S.
applicants have completed the training ing program, not much will change. “It has to cover certain topics: pre-
and certification process. Drivers will have to pass a theory and trip, post-trip inspection, basic control
Trucking companies will be knowledge test and a road skills test, shifting, extreme driving conditions,
affected, of course, but Brust said that and the FMCSA has estimated that 85% weather-type issues,” Brust said.
those who drive buses and other pas- of entry-level drivers are already getting
senger vehicles will also need to comply training that meets the ELDT require- ACCESSING REGISTERED
and make sure the CDL training going ments. TRAINING
forward comes from someone on the Brust said the new ELDT simply Doing away with minimum train-
national register. means everyone will be using the same ing hours and the absence of associated,
“There may be some that would do curriculum nationwide, though the cur- excessive costs aren’t the only bright
it for free, but for others on the registry, riculum will be a bit more intensive. spots in the new ELDT regulations.
their business is training drivers.” “We’ve always had an entry-level Driver hopefuls won’t necessarily have
Casey Hansen, safety manager with driver training program. It’s always to go to a driver training school and
Fayetteville-based asphalt and concrete been in place,” he said. “However, it is can still get training from places like
construction materials provider APAC- very, very basic, and it only included educational institutions, motor carriers,
Central, said his company was taking four items you had to cover.” rural cooperatives, school districts, joint
a wait-and-see approach before regis- Previously, Brust said, the non-driv-
tering. APAC previously had certified ing portion of the training covered the 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 17

labor-management programs, CMV
schools and others.
In essence, if a motor carrier con-
ducts its training in-house now, it will
still be able to do so under the new
ELDT regulations as long as they’re on “AFTER TOMORROW, I CAN’T TRAIN A DRIVER.”
the registry and meet certain require-
ments, like having two years’ experience —CASEY HANSEN, APAC-CENTRAL, SAFETY MANAGER
and a clean CDL with no issues.
However, if not registered, a com-
pany can no longer conduct training
in-house and must send prospective
drivers to a school or some other train-
ing entity.
“After tomorrow, I can’t train a
driver,” Hansen said on the eve of the
Feb. 7 deadline. elsewhere, then taught the additional training registry,” Brust said. “That may
Hansen expressed concern for other skills when they join the APAC-Central be an issue trying to get new entrants
non-industry drivers who will no longer fleet, but he didn’t rule out joining the because of the location.”
be able to take it upon themselves to registry as a CDL training entity some- Roughly, Brust said, about 55
get CDLs, like farmers and school bus day. Arkansas cities, including all of the
drivers. The Training Provider Registry major metro areas, are covered, which
“I’m kind of curious if the schools ostensibly should make it easier for means if there are not enough train-
were even aware of it,” Hansen said. people to find a qualified trainer. But ing providers in one region, prospective
He noted that many jobs requiring in a rural state like Arkansas, Brust drivers would have to go elsewhere in
a CDL also require job-specific driving said, that might initially prove difficult the state, a situation which might dis-
skills. because there isn’t enough coverage courage applicants from trying.
APAC-Central needs people with throughout the state, which could put a “This is where we are right now,”
heavy haul and ready mix driving skills, demand on existing numbers. Brust said. “Maybe if somebody sees a
for example. For the time being, at least, “Currently, in Arkansas, there are demand they may jump in there and
Hansen said, new drivers will be trained 98 people or entities associated with the become a trainer in those locations.” ATR

18 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

celeb r atin g

When Settlements are



Larger Than Verdicts




ATRI study reports beyond the nuclear verdict; settlements and below $1 million
verdicts still leave a big impact on industry





























































By Steve Brawner in fatality-involved incidents, accord- The findings came in a study,

Contributing Writer ing to a study released in November by “The Impact of Small Verdicts and
the American Transportation Research Settlements on the Trucking Industry.”
Settlements in cases with under $1 Institute. The study was a follow-up to
million payments would be expected Severe injury incidents were 217% ATRI’s previous study, “Understanding
to be $135,805 larger than jury verdict more likely to result in a settlement and the Impact of Nuclear Verdicts on the
awards, while carriers were 393.8% 199% more likely to end in plaintiffs’ Trucking Industry in 2020,” which
more likely to settle than go to trial payments greater than $600,000. analyzed larger verdicts. ATRI decided

20 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

to focus on the more common smaller
verdicts for this study.
This time, ATRI compiled data for
641 cases occurring over 14 years, all
of which involved litigation and ended
with either a settlement or a finding in
the plaintiffs’ favor. It did not include
the much more common occurrence of
incidents ending with insurance claims.
In fact, insurance industry experts
reported that less than 2% of claims
result in litigation.

SETTLEMENTS V. VERDICTS:
DOLLARS AND PERCENTS
The study found that settlement
payments were expected to be $135,805
larger than verdicts, according to a sta- est-paying injuries were neck ($395,487) to settle bad cases where the payment
tistical estimate. The raw numbers were and back ($368,237) injuries. The will be higher. Carriers who settle are
$491,020 for settlements and $357,617 report said plaintiffs often exaggerate buying out the risk of a larger verdict as
for verdicts, a $133,403 difference. those injuries, and juries are not fooled. well as the costs of going to trial.
It found that 50.3% of settle- Having a fatality increased the like- For plaintiffs, the lower verdict
ment cases had payments exceeding lihood of carriers settling by 393.8%. awards also meant lower overall pay-
$500,000, while 31.5% of verdict cases Accidents involving a pelvis injury ments because more money was spent
did. The researchers said 15.5% of increased the likelihood that a carrier on attorneys. Industry experts told ATRI
settlement cases had payments greater would settle by 259.5%, while accidents that the combined plaintiff and defense
than $800,000, compared to 8.2% of involving a severe injury increased the litigation costs for verdict awards can
verdict cases. Meanwhile, 19.9% of the likelihood by 217.4%. amount to between 20% and 50% of
verdict cases resulted in payments of the award. Settlement costs can be
less than $100,000, compared to 7.5% RISK AVERSION AND TWO between 15% and 20%.
of the settlement cases. DIFFERENT MARKETS Marcello said there are almost two
In severe injury accidents, the Alan Riels, owner of Crossett- markets: the trial market and the settle-
mean settlement was $490,291 and the based Dedicated Logistics, and Scott ment market.
mean verdict was $393,833. In accidents Richardson, safety manager, said their “I think that too often, insurance
involving spinal injuries, the mean company has never been to court. But companies and other folks lose sight of
settlement was $479,060, while the Richardson said the industry as a whole the ultimate valuation of the case starts
mean verdict was $355,199. In accidents is afraid of a so-called “nuclear verdict” with what a trial verdict would be under
involving head injuries, the mean settle- and willing to settle for $300,000 rath- the circumstances because if we can’t
ment was $460,117, while the mean er than risk a court appearance where agree on what a value is, then a trial is
verdict was $352,404. the plaintiff asks for $7 million. the ultimate arbiter of that,” he said.
Not surprisingly, death was by far “It’s out of control,” Riels said. Marcello said the study shows
the most likely scenario to result in Riels said the trucking industry is a that trucking companies should not
payments over $600,000, increasing “moving target,” but the two believe it be averse to going to trial because the
the likelihood by 965.9%. The average has taken steps in recent years to over- verdicts often will be smaller than the
payment in a fatality accident, via ver- come its traditional disadvantage with settlement. For a number of years, soft
dict or settlement, was $607,532. That jurors. Trucking has improved its image, tissue cases in Pennsylvania were result-
amount was 41.9% higher than cases and the caliber of drivers has improved. ing in $15,000 verdicts an “uncanny”
without a fatality, which paid an aver- Doug Marcello, a partner at the amount of time, he said. It became a
age of $428,000. Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based trucking good measuring stick for what might
After fatalities, individuals who firm Marcello & Kivisto, said in an happen in a case. Moreover, a carrier
had pre-existing conditions received the interview that settlements are larger that goes to trial can be vindicated,
second largest payments at $561,432. than verdicts for a number of reasons, along with its driver and the industry as
Plaintiffs often said their accidents including risk aversion and the fact that a whole.
exacerbated their conditions. The low- trucking companies might be quicker 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 21

Marcello said he has prepared a
strategic defense for plaintiffs’ cases
that are built on the widely used reptile
theory, which uses emotion to encour-
age jurors to see trucking defendants as
threats to everyone, including the jury.
“I THINK THAT TOO OFTEN, INSURANCE COMPANIES The key is to avoid systemic safety
AND OTHER FOLKS LOSE SIGHT OF THE ULTIMATE deficiencies, he said. Carriers can pro-
VALUATION OF THE CASE STARTS WITH WHAT A TRIAL tect themselves by having aggressive
VERDICT WOULD BE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES discipline and hiring practices. Jurors
can be fair to carriers who have tried to
BECAUSE IF WE CAN’T AGREE ON WHAT A VALUE IS, be safe. They often will have a personal
THEN A TRIAL IS THE ULTIMATE ARBITER OF THAT.” relationship with someone who works
in the supply chain.
—DOUG MARCELLO, PARTNER, MARCELLO & KIVISTO Among states, California ranked
as having the highest average payment
at $588,231, followed by New Jersey at
$569,022 and Missouri at $493,306.
Among Arkansas’ neighbors, Texas was
eighth at $391,660 while Louisiana was
10th at $288,133.
He’s been doing this for 40 years factors, including state laws, negative The report found that cases in state
and will advise his clients to go to trial public attitudes about trucking, and court were more likely to result in a
if various factors – the geography, the coordination among plaintiff attorneys. settlement, which occurred 56.7% of
nature of the industry, and the type Plaintiff firms are structured as “settle- the time in cases studied, while cases
of accident – favor it. Marcello said ment mills” that can have between tried in federal court resulted in a
he’ll also analyze the plaintiff and the 200 and 300 open cases at a time and verdict 64.4% of the time. The report
plaintiff attorney. One summer, he settle more than 600 a year. A single explained that industry professionals
represented clients in three rear-end attorney can have between 10 and 70 consider state courts a riskier venue
accidents where the carriers admit- cases. A majority involve minor vehicle and are more likely to settle there. Dan
ted they were at fault. In one case, the crashes. The goal for plaintiff attorneys Murray, ATRI’s vice president, said state
plaintiff had undergone surgery. But is to move through cases quickly, often courts tend to show more favoritism
in all three cases, the jury awarded no avoiding court cases. Closely related is and sympathy for plaintiffs and can be
money because the plaintiffs’ claims another common practice, “ambulance influenced by personal relationships.
were untruthful and didn’t match the chasing,” where attorneys actively and The report also found that the use
physical evidence. Likewise, Marcello often intrusively solicit clients following of defense experts when there was no
considers the attorney’s likability and a crash. competing plaintiff expert produced a
trial experience. Various infractions increased the 25.5% reduction in the average verdict
The report found that in the cases size of payments. The most consequen- size, from an average of $427,336 to
from 2007 through 2019, the mean tial was a poor driver history, which $366,680. However, the largest awards,
payment was $427,336. The highest led to a payment of $680,333. Phone averaging $450,527, occurred when both
annual payment size reached $557,271 use was second at $629,375, followed sides had an expert. The report noted
in 2008. Likewise, the highest number by hours-of-service violations, which that the presence of both plaintiff and
of cases in ATRI’s data occurred in 2009 resulted in payments of $564,531. defense experts might send a signal to
and 2010, which each had 82 cases, but Falling asleep at the wheel was fourth at the jury of the case’s contentiousness
the decline could be caused by a lack of $543,343, with equipment failure fifth or gravity. Cases where only a plaintiff
data availability or by a shift to awards at $503,641. Inadequate training result- expert testified produced slightly small-
above $1 million. ed in payments of $388,464, and hiring er verdicts. Cases with no expert or only
mispractices resulted in payments of a plaintiff expert more often ended in a
WHY AND WHERE THE $341,205. Some of those infractions can settlement, while cases with experts on
SETTLEMENTS ARE HIGHER be difficult for carriers to control, but both sides or only a defense expert more
The report noted that these smaller others are clearly their responsibility, often resulted in a verdict.
yet still significant settlements over the including poor driver history and equip- Murray said carriers must pick
past 20 years has been caused by several ment failure. their experts carefully. The prior nuclear

22 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

verdict study found that juries were
often turned off by Ph.Ds. talking about
braking distance but much more recep-
tive to local mechanics talking about a
truck’s brakes.
“IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THINGS, HIRE THE RIGHT
THE EFFECT ON INSURANCE PEOPLE, HAVE THE RIGHT PROGRAMS, THEN IT’S
PREMIUMS WELL WORTH IT. IT PAYS FOR ITSELF IN THE END.”
An earlier ATRI study, “An Analysis
of the Operational Cost of Trucking: —ALAN RIELS, OWNER, DEDICATED LOGISTICS
2020 Update,” found that two of the
last seven years have seen more than
11% annual increases in premiums. An
upcoming report by ATRI shows that
premiums have risen across all sectors
and fleet sizes between 2018 and 2020,
despite carriers paying less in out-of- increased to $242,857, which is more because of the impact of nuclear ver-
pocket incident costs, being involved in than 50% of the average payment in the dicts, inflation and the departure of
fewer incidents, and implementing new study. insurance carriers from the industry.
safety technologies. Dedicated Logistics is paying more But Riels said one key is seeing the
Motor carriers have responded by for insurance like everyone else, but safety department as a profit center, not
decreasing their total excess coverage the rate increases haven’t been too an expense.
and raising their deductibles or bad because the company is being “If you do the right things, hire the
retentions. According to the report, rewarded for its safety record, Riels and right people, have the right programs,
motor carriers’ deductibles in fleets Richardson said. then it’s well worth it,” he said. “It pays
with 100 to 1,000 power units have There’s no way to avoid increases for itself in the end.” ATR














































ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 23

“I WANT TO GET DAD TO
RETIREMENT AGE. I WANT TO
BE A SAFE COMPANY. I WANT
EVERYONE HERE TO BE ABLE

TO FEEL LIKE A FAMILY,
MAKE A GOOD LIVING AND
HAVE A GREAT HOME LIFE.
YOU KNOW … THE THINGS
I WANT FOR MYSELF.

—NIKKI RAY, PAUL RAY TRUCKING,
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

























































PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN DAVID PITTMAN

24 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

Nikki Ray on the trucking family tree at
Paul Ray Trucking in Nashville, Ark.












By Bethany May
Managing Editor


Nashville, Ark., home of the Nashville Scrappers, is a huge sports town, Nikki
Ray says. Ray, who runs operations at Paul Ray Trucking, is looking forward to
watching her younger cousins play softball and baseball this season.
“It’s a whole family affair. Me, mom and dad, their grandparents. There’s a
bunch of us, and we’re pretty close,” she says. “We enjoy watching all the sports—
football, baseball, softball, basketball, all of it—together.”
The Nashville school campus is about six miles down the road from the clay-
red corrugated metal building that houses PRT operations.
Ray’s roots are here so it’s no surprise she still enjoys attending the games at
her alma mater.
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ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 25

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TRUCKING IS ROOTED tary school and later the junior high, trucking, and my mother’s dad was a
IN THE FAMILY TREE instilled a love of reading. She intro- truck driver. So I had it on both sides.”
She grew up playing on this very duced Ray to Harry Potter and chauf- Ray said her mother’s two brothers
spot with cousins. They would climb up feured her around town for sports and were both truck drivers also, and one of
in the trucks and trailers and play along extracurriculars. them worked for her family.
the creek while their dads all worked Her parents are her heroes, but she When her grandfather died, her
at her grandfather’s trucking company, says that she didn’t get their gift of gab. dad sold his interest in the business and
Nashville Trucking. From Ray’s desk, “They’re both extroverts. They’re outgo- worked as a bail bondsman for a couple
she’s steps away from where her dad ing, and I’m usually shy. I guess they of years, but trucking roots are strong
worked when he was dispatching for his did all the talking, and I just sat in the and tangled and manage to pull people
own dad decades ago. In every direction, back,” she laughs. back to the soil they know. When Paul
there’s the soil where she keeps growing.
In the late ’80s, Paul Ray, Nikki’s
dad, built a house nearby to be close to
the office. Their neighbor operated an
orchard, growing berries and peaches. A
few years ago, Nikki Ray had the oppor- “WHEN WE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY THIS
tunity to buy the neighbor’s home with BUILDING BACK, IT WAS DEFINITELY A FULL CIRCLE
the peach trees and small pond. For a
while, she even kept the orchard busi- MOMENT FOR DAD.”
ness operational.
Now, she keeps cows across the —NIKKI RAY, PAUL RAY TRUCKING,
street, where she visits them every VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
morning on her way to work. When
she sits down at her desk, the dogs—
Freightliner, Peterbilt and Detroit—make
themselves comfortable on the floor or Ray looks up to the way her dad is Ray was approached with an opportu-
a couch they’ve claimed. laid back and can let things go, roll off nity from a friend to have a truck and
Paul Ray is still involved in the his back, not hold grudges. “He is just a handful of trailers to haul outdoor
day-to-day operations, but he’s slowly such a people person. And he will not equipment for Husqvarna, he returned
been stepping back some. Nikki’s mom, meet a stranger. If we are in an eleva- to a familiar field.
Regina Ray, retired last year after 37 tor with someone we don’t know, he is In the early ’90s, he started exclu-
years of teaching and serving as librari- going to strike up a conversation, turn- sively shuttling chainsaws, weed eaters,
an for the local school system. Paul and ing strangers into friends.” blowers around town until he added
Regina have been married 44 years, and Ray recognizes she’s more shy than more trucks and began delivering fin-
Nikki is their only child. It’s their opin- her personable parents. With tears in ished goods down to the Husqvarna dis-
ion she cares about most in the world. her eyes, she considers her mother’s tribution center in Shreveport, La.
Between the dogs, cows, some kit- faith. Ray is still in her mother’s Sunday When he worked for his dad at
tens and other four-legged friends that school class at First Baptist Church, Nashville Trucking, he was dispatching
show up at her door, Ray has 14 ani- where the family has attended since she for refrigerated foods, so by the time his
mals and considers herself a caretaker. was young. daughter was in college, he had added a
“I’m always trying to care for someone. “I definitely strive to have her faith, reefer division to his business to move
I try to help them whatever it is. They to be like them both,” she says. frozen chicken.
laugh at me downstairs and say, ‘It’s “I hope I can be half of what both Tyson Foods has a facility in
hard raising parents.’” of them are.” Nashville, and just 30 miles away,
Ray’s father had surgery recently Pilgrim’s Pride is in De Queen. Her
and is taking care of some health issues, PRT SEEDS dad’s business had grown from one
but he still likes to call her and ask Ray is already walking in her dad’s truck with five or ten trailers to
about trucks in the shop and parts that shoes at PRT, just like he worked for his between 80 and 100 trucks when Ray
are due. She talks about her parents dad at Nashville Trucking. graduated from college. He started
with admiration for the work they have “I think he started in the shop as arranging logistics for lawn products
done and who they are. foreman and made his way through the across town and found himself with
Regina, who taught second grade hoops to dispatcher later. It’s a family diverse customers coast to coast. He
and was the librarian for the elemen- thing. My granddad, dad’s dad was in 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 27

even had a chance to move back onto “It’s still close enough to where I needed to be in there to help dad.”
the property that belonged to his could come home on the weekends and Ray wanted to learn every aspect of
father’s trucking company. had the small town feel,” she says. PRT to be there for her family.
“When we got the opportunity to She soon abandoned organic chem- “It’s not that he didn’t have great
buy this building back, it was definitely istry courses and the pre-med path to employees then, but he just needed
a full circle moment for dad,” Ray says. pursue a marketing degree and a mas- somebody. And I think he always knew
ter’s in business administration. he wanted me to come back and do it.
STRAIGHT-A STUDENT Her father had attended just one “And so when I did, he was just so
COMES HOME year of college, and he encouraged proud.”
Ray suspected she might eventually Ray to finish her degree. Her graduate
plant herself at PRT long-term. In high school experience included working as a PRUNING SEASON
school, she had worked 10-15 hours graduate assistant in a program to help Ray’s love of numbers and account-
each week for her dad, doing some small businesses. ing complemented her dad’s knack for
paperwork. She had been a good stu- She helped write business plans and dispatching and customer relations.
dent, made good grades and spent her make financial projections for individu- When she would visit from college,
free time like most kids in rural towns: als starting a new business. She may not she was fascinated by the hustle and
cruising Main. have had her parents’ extroversion and bustle of the dispatching office. It was a
“You cruise Main Street. We went ability to make friends of strangers in little bit stressful and exciting, she says.
from Sonic at that time to I think it was the grocery store, but for Ray, the num- The business had sprawled when
Easy Rent All. That’s what you did for bers made sense. Her seeds were busi- Ray finished her graduate degree and
hours and hours and hours,” she says. ness skills, and she was going to plant returned to PRT full time. With almost
When she graduated from them in the same soil she came from. 100 trucks and customers far beyond
Nashville High in 1996, she enrolled in “I don’t know if I have just some the region, she wanted something
college at Henderson State University crazy story or wonderful moment. I smaller, more manageable, healthier,
in Arkadelphia, Ark. with an interest in just knew that, I don’t know how to say and so she suggested some pruning.
pre-med. this —,” she starts. “I just knew that I Nashville’s biggest industries are








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28 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

“FOR OTHERS, PROBABLY THE MORE, THE MERRIER. BUT I THINK FOR US, I THINK
WE NEED TO BE SMALL AND KNOW WHERE WE FIT IN.”

—NIKKI RAY, PAUL RAY TRUCKING,
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS





manufacturing and poultry processing to live the simple life as much as pos- another nearby trucking company to
with Husqvarna and Tyson Foods the sible. And I didn’t want to be just totally make sure every customer was taken
largest employers in town today, but stressed out.” care of and every piece of freight still
once upon a time, Nashville was known Over a few months, the Rays scaled moved smoothly.
as the peach capital of the country. The the business down from 100 trucks to Ray had earned her father’s respect,
crop was introduced in the area after about 30 or 40 that stay mostly in the and he agreed that cutting back felt
the Civil War when refrigerated train region. Drivers are home almost every right.
cars made it possible to distribute the night. If they do stay on the road, it’s “For others, probably the more, the
harvest widely. The Nashville Peach only ever for one night. merrier. But I think for us, I think we
Blossom Festival in the spring celebrates She knows numbers and account- need to be small and know where we fit
the agricultural and industrial signifi- ing, but off the paper, Ray says, bigger in,” she says with confidence.
cance. In 1950, the peak of the area’s doesn’t always equal better.
peak peach production, 425 orchards “I didn’t want to keep growing and EASING STRESS AND
were collecting more than 400,000 growing and growing. I liked where we TAKING CARE
bushels of the stone fruit. It’s not a big are, and it worked perfectly for us.” Even as the right-sized business,
part of the economy anymore. A lot They continue to haul for Tyson with a capable, experienced team,
of the land used to farm peaches now Foods and some other good custom- trucking isn’t easy. There are still
holds cattle. There are still several fam- ers in Louisiana. They still have both a stressors, but Ray chooses to focus her
ily-run orchards like the property that dry van and refrigerated division and attention on safety. A few years ago, Ray
Ray purchased though. keep their customers and small group pushed to add forward-facing cameras
On the same plot that probably of employees happy. There are seven into the cabs of all their trucks.
once grew miles and miles of yellow- people in the office, eight when Paul “We’ve just got a small number of
flesh Elberta peaches, Ray is working Ray comes in, plus drivers. trucks. We have to count every penny
alongside her family to grow something PRT employees have almost all been here, but it was something that we
fruitful, but with intention. When with the company for the long haul. had gone back and forth with. And
peach trees are left to grow as big and Ray says she’s practically the newest, then I was like, ‘we’re doing it,’” she
wild as they can, they are at risk for and she’s been back from college for 20 remembers.
shorter lives, smaller fruit, broken years! “I think every single person is
branches and disease. Pruning gives you “They were here with dad before I thankful that we did it, even the driv-
control over the shape and makes big- came. I’m the new person on the street ers. I would encourage anyone if they’re
ger, juicier fruit within reach when it’s here. We’re just like a big old family.” on the fence. Probably I was the last
harvest time. It’s strategical to know Even many of the drivers have been one.”
and control what is within your grasp. with the company from the beginning, Ray can also attest to the driver
Ray told her dad that she wanted Ray says. Her dad’s very first driver is shortage being worse than it’s ever been.
them to have a good grasp on PRT. still out there moving freight for PRT. They go long periods without needing to
“We needed to have better con- Pruning the business was the big- hire drivers at PRT, because many have
trol of it. It was just too big. Maybe he gest obstacle they’ve faced, according stayed with them for years and make
wouldn’t like me saying that, but it was to Ray. It was an unknown after oper- it home each night to the surround-
more than what I could handle. Well, ating with a larger fleet for so long, ing towns of Ashdown, De Queen and
maybe not more than I can handle, under more stress. It was big decision Hope.
more than I wanted to handle. I just try to become nimbler and partner with 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 29

But in the last few months, they are
finding it harder to fill an empty truck
cab. The pandemic and rising driver “WE’VE JUST GOT A SMALL NUMBER OF TRUCKS.
wages have made it difficult to balance
how to keep the paychecks competitive WE HAVE TO COUNT EVERY PENNY HERE, BUT
and give them time for a full home life. [IMPLEMENTING CAMERAS] WAS SOMETHING THAT
Of course, even getting a truck to WE HAD GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH. AND THEN I
put a driver in is a real challenge right WAS LIKE, ‘WE’RE DOING IT.’ I THINK EVERY SINGLE
now, too. Ray explains that they were
supposed to receive five new trucks to PERSON IS THANKFUL THAT WE DID IT EVEN THE
replace some older models last year, DRIVERS, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE IF
but they are still waiting and will likely THEY’RE ON THE FENCE. PROBABLY I WAS THE LAST
only get three of the five they ordered.
Maintenance is more of a challenge as ONE.”
they try to keep older trucks on the road
longer until supply meets demand again. —NIKKI RAY, PAUL RAY TRUCKING,
“We had the problem with the VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
truck parts. I had a truck down for
almost three months because we
couldn’t get the parts in,” she says.
The company started cleaning up Association’s Self Insurers’ Fund. They and she regularly uses the direct line of
some of their older trucks a year ago. save money on workers compensation, communication to safety and claims
They used to park them on the far side of but Nikki says beyond the cost-effective- expertise whenever she has a question.
the property, but they are hoping to get ness, she appreciates the resources avail- Ever the caretaker, when thinking
use out of parts from the retired tractors. able to small companies. She attends the about the future, she wants her father to
One way they control costs is by annual meeting for education on run- be able to retire with her mom and not
participating in Arkansas Trucking ning a safer, more efficient operation, have to worry about the business.













































30 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

“I want to get Dad to retire-
ment age. I want to be a safe com-
pany. I want everyone here to be
able to feel like a family, make a
good living and have a great home
life. You know … the things I want
for myself.
“I want to deliver on time. I
mean, I want to take care of our
customers, but I want our employ-
ees to be happy. And that’s a big
motivator for me, I want to take
care of them.”
The apple, or peach, doesn’t
fall too far from the tree. She may
not have started in the shop like
her father, but she enjoys walk-
ing around the shop and learning
about what’s going on there.
One piece of advice she
gleaned from her dad is stay aware
and ask questions.
“He said, ‘If you see a truck
on the yard, you’ve got to find out
why. If it’s on the yard, it’s not making
any money.’ So now I do a yard check
every morning and, he’s the one that
started that…
“I need to ask him if that’s what LAST THING SHE BOUGHT: A souvenir from Walt Disney World on a
his dad did too, if that’s something that trip with friends
he picked up. He would be panicky if
there were three or four trucks on the WHAT SHE’S WATCHING: Yellowstone, Ozark and the Olympics
yard; he wanted to know why.”
Like father, like daughter. Ray SPORTS SHE PLAYED: “I played basketball and golf. I had a short little
seems observant as well and aware of stint with softball; I played one year in high school.”
all the tendrils that can wrap around a
trucking company and grind the day to HOW SHE SPENDS HER WEEKENDS: “With the animals. I really have
a halt. She says she’s an over analyzer turned into a home body. When I go out, I do like to go, but I don't
and can get stressed out, but she keeps that often because I hate to leave the dogs. I have 14 [animals] I'm
things in perspective by spending time almost embarrassed to say, but I've just rescued, had some dropped
with animals. off and I get attached before I can find a new owner.”
She ends her work days similar to
how she starts them: by visiting her BEST VACATION: “Sometimes in the summer, we go to the lake with
cows. She has a young calf she’s espe- friends. I try to take a summer trip somewhere. Probably my favorite
cially attached to named, Milkshake. trip that I ever went on was Costa Rica.”
“Trucking in general is just a
super stressful environment typically. I HER COFFEE ORDER: “I am not a coffee drinker.”
mean, just with all the things that can EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL: “Once I became a farmer with cows, I
occur—the detention, the late delivery,
different things—and we were all a little flipped. Now I am an early bird. I'm a morning person. I like to get
stressed sometimes, but when we got on up and get things moving for the day. I check the cows in the
the animals, I’m telling you it really morning and then come here.”
helped my stress level.” ATR


ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 31

Out of High School



and into a Truck




A program to train bus drivers could provide
a piece of the truck driver shortage puzzle






“NEVER GIVE UP,
NEVER LOSE HOPE
AND ALWAYS
BE PASSIONATE
ABOUT WHAT YOU
ARE GOING FOR.
I THOUGHT THIS
PROGRAM WOULD
BE GOOD TO LEARN,
AND I AM LOOKING
FORWARD TO THE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
THAT WILL BE
PROVIDED WITH MY
CDL LICENSE.”

—JAQUIZE GREEN,
FORREST CITY
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

By Eric J. Francis using our pandemic funding,” said
Contributing Writer Owens. One of the attendees was Dr.
Cathie Cline, president of East Arkansas
When the Forrest City School Community College. “Dr. Tiffany THE PROGRAM’S FIRST
District and Eastern Arkansas Hardrick, our superintendent, men- STAR STUDENT
Community College put their heads tioned our need for school bus drivers So the district bought a new truck,
together and came up with a plan to to Dr. Cline, and you could see the light EACC provided a commercial driving
help students qualify for a commercial bulb go off with both of them regarding instructor, and at the beginning of the
driver’s license during their senior year the possibility of a program that could current school year, they announced
in high school, they weren’t actually train 18-year-old students to become the program to the students at Forrest
trying to address one of trucking’s lon- Class-A CDL holders.” City High School. They had their first
gest-running problems. In the long term, the idea was stu- student before the end of the day.
To be honest, said FCSD Public dents who graduated with their CDL “From what the counselors told
Relations Director Kendall Owens, they could attend EACC during the day, and me,” Owens said, “Jaquize Green basi-
were looking a little closer to home. get a paying job with benefits driving a cally ran to the counseling office want-
“We had some community meet- bus for the Forrest City School District ing to sign up.”
ings back in the summer where we in the mornings and afternoons. It was Under the watchful eye of Everette
talked with people about how we were a win-win. Woods, EACC’s commercial driver

32 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

training instructor, Green completed
the requirements and in May will be the
first student in Arkansas to graduate “WE HAVE CREATED A NEW PATHWAY THAT HAD
high school with his CDL in hand. NOT BEEN TRIED BEFORE IN AN EFFORT TO MEET
As if that wasn’t impressive
enough, he accomplished this while JOB DEMAND. WE RECOGNIZED THE SAME OLD
receiving treatment for aplastic ane- STRATEGIES WERE NOT WORKING—WE HAD TO DO
mia, a bone marrow condition, at St. SOMETHING NEW TO HELP OPEN UP A NEW SUPPLY
Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in
Memphis. In EACC’s news release about OF DRIVERS,”
his graduation, Green discussed the
approach he took to both his treatment —DR. CATHY CLINE, EASTERN ARKANSAS
and his education. COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT
“Never give up, never lose hope and
always be passionate about what you are
going for,” he said. “I thought this pro-
gram would be good to learn, and I am to the average age of a worker in the effective, [young drivers] will move on
looking forward to the job opportuni- United States.” and go into construction or something
ties that will be provided with my CDL While he notes he’s not fully else.”
license.” informed about where these high school That results in what Geale called “a
In addition to providing the CDL programs have been put into place, chilling effect” on the ability to get the
instructor, EACC is supporting the Geale noted, but he acknowledged that next generation of truck drivers into the
program by covering costs for fuel and “it’s a thing.” industry, despite the fact that interstate
maintenance, the driving range and the “There is one in San Jose, Calif., trucking careers are “highly compen-
licensure testing. The college estimates along these same lines that has gotten sated in terms of pay and benefits.”
the total value of that contribution a lot of publicity nationally,” he said. ATA has data to back up that state-
is between $250,000 and $300,000. “One of our members recently set up ment. It released a study last March
Students with Class-A CDLs can look a similar program in Maryland, part- that showed driver earnings were
forward to jobs with salaries that run nering with a local community college increasing at five times the traditional
from $30,000 to $70,000, according to and high school to get more folks into rate. Medial salary for interstate truck-
the college. trucking and getting their CDLs in the load drivers working irregular national
“We have created a new pathway process. routes was $53,000. For-hire fleet driv-
that had not been tried before in an “I wouldn’t say it’s been taken up ers had seen a 15% increase in pay
effort to meet job demand. We recog- nationally and is in every state,” he over the six preceding years, and the
nized the same old strategies were not added, “but creative and thoughtful average private fleet driver was earning
working—we had to do something new people are developing such programs in $86,000.
to help open up a new supply of driv- various parts of the country right now.” All of those numbers, Geale noted,
ers,” EACC President Cline said in a were expected to increase once they had
statement. A CHILLING EFFECT AND A the data in for this year’s driver com-
Nick Geale, vice president for work- PROMISING PROVISION pensation study, which was underway
force policy at the American Trucking An influx of 18-year-olds with as of February. He added that, in recent
Associations, is a fan of this idea, which CDLs will initially only benefit in-state months, ATA has found that many
he said has been tried in several places trucking operations, given the federal small- and medium-sized fleets raised
around the country that he knows of. restriction that limits interstate truck- their pay by 10% or more; on top of
“This is a great option,” said Geale. ing to drivers who are at least 21 years that, some are offering signing bonuses
“It is incredibly important to bring of age. of $10,000 and higher.
new blood into the trucking industry. “Until they’re 21, these folks are Not all of those increases are going
Our average driver’s age is somewhere not viable for the major motor car- to be accessible to 18-year-old CDL
around 47 to 49, depending on the type riers and the best possible jobs,” he holders, of course, since the highest-
of equipment and what year you mea- said. “That’s one of the reasons the age paying routes are interstate. However,
sure it in. The average age of new driv- cohorts [in trucking] skew older – if there is a movement in Washington,
ers entering the industry is between 35 they can’t get the good, high-quality D.C., to find new ways to address the
and 37. That leads to higher attrition— jobs or the company has difficulty ongoing driver shortage, and ATA is
our average age is much older compared insuring them and they’re not as cost- 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 33

exactly what will be required of not just
the new drivers, but the companies that
“I WOULDN’T SAY IT’S BEEN TAKEN UP NATIONALLY hire them.
AND IS IN EVERY STATE, BUT CREATIVE AND “These folks will have more train-
THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE ARE DEVELOPING SUCH ing and be required to have the highest
PROGRAMS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY level of safety equipment, mandatorily,
as a condition to drive in interstate
RIGHT NOW.” commerce,” he said. “It’s a lot like the
graduated driver’s license programs
—NICK GEALE, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS VICE which many of the safety entities
PRESIDENT FOR WORKFORCE POLICY opposing this program have advocated
at the state level.”
To start with, the participants in
the Safe Driver Apprenticeship pilot
part of a coalition of more than 100 tially be open to just 3,000 participants. program will receive 400 hours of train-
entities working to make progress on But if it is successful and expanded, ing over a two-step process before they
that front. Geale said it could have both immediate can drive trucks solo. That includes 80
The bipartisan federal infrastructure and long-term impacts on the industry. hours of in-the-cab learning before they
bill passed last year includes one of the However, one of the first hurdles to get to hit the roads at all. After that,
most promising provisions: A reduction overcome is the wave of criticism that they must be accompanied by an experi-
of the minimum age to drive interstate emerged from people and organizations enced driver—at least 26 years old, with
trucks to 18, coupled with intensive who believe there’s no way for an 18-year- at least five years of over-the-road expe-
training and safety requirements. old to safely drive a tractor-trailer. rience, and no points on their license—
The DOT’s Safe Driver Those worries, Geale suspects, are for more than 300 hours.
Apprenticeship pilot program will ini- rooted in a lack of information about Then there’s the trucks, themselves.
















































34 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

They’ll be outfitted with essentially all
of the most modern safety equipment:
event recorders, speed governors, “THESE FOLKS WILL HAVE MORE TRAINING AND BE
automated manual or automatic REQUIRED TO HAVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SAFETY
transmissions. EQUIPMENT, MANDATORILY, AS A CONDITION TO
Furthermore, the apprentice driv- DRIVE IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE. IT’S A LOT LIKE THE
ers cannot carry passengers, hazard-
ous materials or anything over 18,000 GRADUATED DRIVER’S LICENSE PROGRAMS WHICH
pounds such as tank trucks. They also MANY OF THE SAFETY ENTITIES OPPOSING THIS
can’t pull what Geale called “weird con- PROGRAM HAVE ADVOCATED AT THE STATE LEVEL.”
figurations like three trailers” even in
states where such is allowed.
“It’s an amazing level of training —NICK GEALE, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS VICE
we’ve not seen before,” he said of the PRESIDENT FOR WORKFORCE POLICY
program. “The ATA strongly supports
the Safe Driver Apprenticeship program
and expects program data to demon- “We have had some trucking com- school district or for a trucking compa-
strate that restrictions on working in panies reach out to us through messages ny, Owens said the administration will
interstate commerce for such highly on Facebook, basically offering Mr. count that as a victory.
trained drivers who meet the require- Green a position once he graduates, as “As Dr. Hardrick has said several
ments should be lifted permanently.” soon as possible,” Owens noted, “ensur- times, this is probably bigger than we
ing he would receive the three years of all anticipated when the idea first came
A LOCAL VICTORY AND training he needed to go over-the-road about,” he said, “but it’s something we
JOB OFFERS at age 21.” feel like was needed in the area — and,
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) recog- Regardless of whether Green starts again, it was a benefit to our students.”
nized the need for widening the truck- his professional driving career at the ATR
ing workforce pipeline and has been a
vocal champion of the DRIVE Safe Act.
“We have a nationwide trucker TRUCK SAFETY
shortage, which is adding to our supply
chain woes. Not every high school stu- PROGRAM FUNDING
dent needs to go to a four-year liberal
arts college, but instead, they can be
connected to lucrative job opportunities The Arkansas Commercial Truck Safety and Education
through programs like East Arkansas
Community College’s CDL training. Program is beginning its next application cycle.
Expanding this workforce will improve APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
our nation’s supply chain and help us APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1 – APRIL 1, 2022
APRIL 1, 2022
get a handle on inflation. Congrats to AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT:
Jaquize Green on this accomplishment. www.ardot.gov/actsep
I’m hopeful that more will join him,
and we will be able to expand similar — or —
programs through legislation like the Arkansas Commercial Truck Safety
and Education Program
DRIVE Safe Act,” said Rep. Crawford. c/o Arkansas Department of Transportation
Forrest City High School already Program Management Division
has at least five students signed up for P. O. Box 2261
the next session of the CDL program, Little Rock, AR 72203-2261
said Owens. And while the district is — or —
still hoping to hire some of them to Arkansas Department of Transportation
drive school buses, word is already get- 10324 Interstate 30, Room 503
ting out about this potential new pipe- Little Rock, AR 72209
line of CDL holders. For More Information, Call: (501) 569-2481
And that could be very good news Fax: (501) 569-2623 | Email: [email protected]
for Jaquize Green.

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 35

Now We’re Talking




Listening audiences inside and outside the industry
are tuning into podcasts about trucking














By Bethany May

Managing Editor

A couple of years ago, Oakley
Trucking in North Little Rock, Ark.
underwent some renovations and
moved offices. Before the move, the vice
president of recruiting Jeremy Kellett’s
office was right in the heart of where
drivers would come in and out every
day. Though his new office wasn’t far
away, he missed the drivers walking past
his door and getting to talk to them
regularly.
He and his coworker, Corey Huey
had an idea. “It was kind of far-fetched
at first,” he says. The idea was to start
their own podcast to communicate with
Oakley’s owner-operators.
“It was one of those things that I “HARDLY A DAY GOES BY THAT SOMEBODY DOESN’T
kept hearing about them on the radio,”
he says. SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WHETHER IT’S AN
Kellett and Huey started research- EMPLOYEE OR AN OWNER-OPERATOR. IT DOES REACH
ing what it would take to start talking MORE PEOPLE THAN I EVER THOUGHT IT WOULD.”
directly to owner-operators through
their own podcast. They got some
equipment, found a company to edit —JEREMY KELLETT, VICE PRESIDENT OF RECRUITING,
and publish their recordings and booked OAKLEY TRUCKING
the first guest, Oakley Trucking vice
president Justin Oakley. In that pilot
episode, Oakley shared the story of how
his family trucking company was start-
ed. Since then, Kellett has released 97
episodes in a little less than two years. Kellett has discovered that Oakley’s changing. In Episode 2, Kellett shared
owner-operators and other truck drivers that no one in the company’s workforce
PODCASTING TO DRIVERS have been a good audience. had reported any symptoms of a new
Since 2017, the number of monthly Usually, an episode of The Oakley virus that had recently been detected
podcast listeners in the U.S. has more Podcast comes out weekly, but shortly in the country. He said that as many
than doubled from 65 million to 140 after Justin Oakley’s interview aired people as possible would be working
million. on March 18, 2020, the world started from home to make the office safer and

36 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

less crowded for those workers whose
jobs couldn’t be done remotely. The
drivers’ lounge would stay open and
be cleaned often. For 15 minutes, he “MY INTERVIEW WITH JOHN LEX WAS SPECIAL FOR A
shared what he knew and who he had LOT OF REASONS. HE’S A TRUCK DRIVER; HE’S SAFE;
talked to about the changes to business.
Then every few days, he’d share another HE’S PROFESSIONAL AND HE’S GONE. I KNEW HIS
update. At a time, when bad and incom- STORY BUT BEING ABLE TO SHARE IT…”
plete information was plentiful, Kellett
was able to provide a platform for first- —JEREMY REYMER, CEO AND FOUNDER,
hand experiences of their drivers. The DRIVERREACH
new podcast became a critical commu-
nication line during the pandemic.
“It’s a direct link instead of having
to hear rumors, having to ask some-
body. Before, truck drivers at Oakley
wondering about something had to ask and learn from industry experts about A few weeks ago, at 55, Lex died
somebody,” Kellett says. He has found the industry’s greatest challenges: driver after a battle with colon cancer.
a lot of benefit to delivering messages recruiting and retention. “My interview with John Lex was
straight from operations or the safety “Given the topic—recruiting and special for a lot of reasons. He’s a truck
director or recruiters. retention—we are pretty certain our driver; he’s safe; he’s professional and
The result is a great recruiting audience is recruiters, human resources he’s gone. I knew his story but being
tool, and an even better retention tool, and, in some cases, safety and compli- able to share it…” Reymer says of his
according to Kellett. ance… Everything about the driver life favorite episode.
“Hardly a day goes by that some- cycle,” he says. The conversation had included Lex
body doesn’t say something about it, Every month, Reymer says the recounting when he invited President
whether it’s an employee or an owner- podcast is getting tens of thousands of Donald Trump into the cab of his truck
operator. It does reach more people than downloads, live views/listens and clicks. on the White House lawn, why he
I ever thought it would,” he says. One month, there were over 60,000 became a driver in the first place and
Some notable episodes have been downloads. what it was like to be public about his
dispatchers and their drivers coming Not bad for another nascent pod- cancer diagnosis. He wanted to share
together for a discussion, operation cast. Like Kellett, Reymer also aired his industry experiences and also one of
managers giving drivers insight on his first episode during the pandemic. the scariest moments of his life because
what is happening in the office, and On Jan. 14, 2021, Taking the Hire Road he wanted other people to not feel
Al Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame on had its first guest Max Farrell, CEO alone.
having a healthy marriage while being a of WorkHound, to talk about how his That’s precisely why Reymer is
truck driver. company’s driver feedback tools help hosting Taking the Hire Road, to talk
Even drivers who are not hauling carriers retain good workers. Almost 50 about the problems his colleagues face,
for Oakley are finding the podcast, episodes later, Reymer can point to doz- to be relatable.
learning about the culture and wanting ens of enlightening conversations he’s Another one of his favorite guests
to be a part of it. had on the record. was a politician, and while that might
“There’s not a recruit that comes in Having a record of those memories not immediately seem relatable,
here every week that hasn’t listened to has become even more important in the Reymer hopes that hearing from Adam
the podcast,” Kellett says, “A lot of them last few months. Blanchard, a business leader and politi-
say, ‘Man, I’ve gone back ever since I Last spring, he invited America’s cal outsider who decided to run for state
found y’all and listened to all of them.’” Road Team Captain John Lex, a representative of the Texas House, will
professional driver for Walmart help others see themselves as potential
PODCASTING TO RECRUITERS Transportation, onto the podcast to talk change makers.
Founder and CEO of DriverReach about his experiences as a driver and an Reymer’s been intentional about
Jeremy Reymer is having success with ambassador for the industry. After list- booking guests who are experts, but not
a different trucking audience on his ing Lex’s accolades in trucking, Reymer advertisers. “It’s not just a 25-minute
weekly podcast, Taking the Hire Road. introduces him, “You personify the type commercial [for vendors]. I want to
With FreightWaves as his producer, of driver everyone would want to have give people a chance to share what they
Reymer uses the microphone to meet on their team.” 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 37

The series starts at the Mid-
American Trucking show and visits
drivers all over the country, maps truck-
“I THINK THERE ARE JUST A LOT OF JUST GOOD, ing’s history and recent grievances with
CURIOUS, EMPATHETIC PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE technology and regulations.
Everywhere he went, drivers talked
INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO OTHER WAYS OF LIFE.” about electronic logging devices and
the frustration with the 14-hour clock
—PAUL MARHOEFER, TRUCK DRIVER AND HOST, mandated by the hours-of-service regu-
OVER THE ROAD lations. For Marhoefer, he had resigned
himself to ELDs and found a silver lin-
ing in having a device to record music
while away from home. To his produc-
tion team, the ELD discussion was the
are interested in and what they are to people of all backgrounds about the most compelling thing they had heard,
passionate about.” financial turmoil of the 1930s, and so there are many episodes that explore
His podcast evolved out of an ear- those voices became the primary sourc- the relationship different drivers have to
lier project called DriverReach Chats es for his book. technology and how it can change the
which had the same philosophy: “con- Over the Road was designed in that culture of trucking.
versations with people, sitting around spirit of Terkel, to record the voices of Based on feedback and emails he
the table, talking about the industry, people experiencing the trucking world has received, most of his listeners aren’t
talking to subject matter experts. and put listeners behind the wheel of truck drivers. “I think there are just a
I’m not asking somebody what their the truck that delivers the things they lot of just good, curious, empathetic
thoughts on cryptocurrency when they care about. It answers questions about people out there who are interested in
aren’t an expert on it.” who the drivers are who carry America’s listening to other ways of life.”
Since the project has become a more freight, what they’ve lived through, He thinks people want those oppor-
permanent podcast and a production what they care about, what frustrates tunities to relate and empathize. “When
partnership with FreightWaves, he’d like them and what drives them to live the you look at the architecture of social
to have more conversations with drivers. long-haul life. media today, rage and hate get ampli-
Conversations about recruitment and Marhoefer credits Julie Shapiro, fied and magnified, and that’s in the
retention are always about drivers, but executive producer for PRX Radiotopia; very way that Facebook is constructed.
not always with them. OverDrive editor Todd Dills; producer Empathy can make a respectable run,
“I’d like to do more of that espe- and sound designer Ian Coss, and pro- but it’s just not going to do as well as
cially if I can highlight road teams and ducer Lacey Roberts with the success of hate,” he says.
the professionalism of the industry … I the show. “Hate has become an actual indus-
want the world to see these stellar folks, “Being signed to do this with Julie try … So, what we tried to do was create
and this is what we take pride in.” Shapiro and her team, it was like being a lane for empathy.”
chosen to play pickup basketball with That strategy has resonated with
PODCASTING BY A DRIVER the Boston Celtics.” audiences. At one point, Marhoefer
Over the Road with host “Long Haul He left with so much respect for says, the listenership was “well north of
Paul” Marhoefer is a driver talking to the team and still felt like he had agen- a million downloads.”
other drivers. The eight-part series is a cy in the finished product. One piece of During the pandemic, the industry
Radiotopia production, and production the podcast he is really proud of is the enjoyed a spotlight and appreciation
is the only way to describe it. While The music. Marhoefer is a gifted musician for truck drivers. Audiences continue
Oakley Podcast and Taking the Hire Road and storyteller. His songs are inspired to have an appetite for more trucking
are laid-back conversations for industry by working over the road and the people content whether it communicates a
insiders. Over the Road is an immersive he meets there. company culture, wrestles with truck-
sonic experience that introduces truck- When making Over the Road, he ing’s workforce issues or gives outsiders
ing to a lay person. wanted music to be part of the podcast’s a chance to sonically ride along.
Marhoefer says the project was soundscape, not just as background, but Over the Road, Taking the Hire Road
inspired by Studs Terkel’s bestselling as part of the story. and The Oakley Podcast are available on
oral history about the Great Depression, “I had the idea of, ‘hey, why don’t all the major podcast platforms: Apple
Hard Times. Terkel captured interviews we just put a song in every episode?’” Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts,
with a portable tape recorder, talking And they did. Spotify and Stitcher. ATR

38 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

Values Drive Performance




Shared Values Can Lead to Organizational Excellence


We understand you are in business to make a profit. Our Value-Driven
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Company modules can help you reduce losses and increase profits by focusing on
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GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY – No matter where the road takes you, you
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Arkansas Trucking Association is awarding for graduating high school
seniors who will be attending a truck technician medium and heavy duty program at an Arkansas
institution.

Technicians are responsible for ensuring the equipment that moves our economy are safe, efficient
and dependable. Truck technicians inspect, diagnose and perform routine maintenance and repair
of any equipment with a hybrid, electric, LNG, CNG or diesel engine. The industry is facing a short-
age of technicians, and unlike some careers, this is not a job that can be exported overseas.

Learn more about investing in technical careers to maintain the trucks and trailers of the future.
You can be part of funding scholarships for the next generation of technicians.


Visit www.arkansastrucking.com/tech-scholarship for more information.

COUNCIL QUARTERLY







.
.
Networking Professional Development Service








ATA members have the opportunity to be represented in a variety of industry
councils that address issues specific to safety, maintenance and technology,
and accounting and finance. Each council holds quarterly meetings, hosts
speakers and panels on relevant industry topics, serves as a forum for
interchanging ideas and best practices, and discusses new strategies and
implementation practices.

JOINT MEETING OF THE SAFETY
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND
MAINTENANCE & TECHNOLOGY
COUNCIL
November 30
Sponsored by Stoneridge and Netradyne
For the fourth quarter, SMC
and MTC groups met collectively to Half, discussed hiring trends and
receive updates on workforce trends ways employers are best able to retain
in Arkansas and to learn more about employees in a market that is shifting to
mirrorless truck technology. Arkansas more flexible and remote opportunities.
State Chamber of Commerce’s Randy president of fleet products and services, Cottingham & Butler’s Jamie Bishop
Zook, president and CEO, shared ways of Stoneridge presented the latest infor- and Jill Lange presented the results
businesses can work together to address mation on camera mirror systems and of their annual Trucking Benchmark
staff shortages. He highlighted indus- how fleets are utilizing the technology Survey. They shared insight on driver
tries that are seeing recruitment success to enhance safe operations. compensation, bonus structures, non-
and the tools that are helping them The new Be Pro Be Proud trailer driver compensation and benefit pack-
reach their goals. Brad Corrodi, vice was on-site for attendees to tour and ages. Greg Northen, director at Cross,
see how trucking and other technical Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, closed
careers are being showcased across the out the meeting sharing best practices
state. Stoneridge also had an on-site on how businesses can navigate the
exhibit allowing attendees to sit behind evolving pandemic and the HR chal-
the wheel of a mirrorless truck and lenges that come with vaccines, masks
experience the technology first-hand. and mandates. ATR

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE
COUNCIL MEETING
December 7 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
Sponsored by Professional Driver SPONSORING A FUTURE ATA
Agency COUNCIL MEETING,

The AFC met in Fort Smith for CONTACT KATIE THOMASON AT
KATIETHOMASON@
their fourth quarter meeting to discuss ARKANSASTRUCKING.COM
HR policies and benefits. Stephanie
Shine, vice president and director
of permanent placement for Robert

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 41

Insider Trucking




A look at the latest products, services and news from ATR advertisers


















LEGAL PLAN WITH 95%
SUCCESS RATE
Drivers Legal Plan is a national law to MHC customers and will streamline
firm dedicated to protecting the rights payments, as well as increase efficiency.
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS of professional drivers and the compa- The payment portals offer
OF BUSINESS nies for which they drive in the conti- • Access seven days a week,
The CIA team is excited to celebrate nental United States. 24 hours a day
our 60 year in business. Rick Custard • No fees for ACH payments
th
began this journey in 1962, opening • Downloadable statements to view
CIA’s first office in Fort Wayne, Ind. invoices
With his unparalleled drive and deter- • Automatic invoice payment
mination, Custard developed CIA into scheduling
the largest independently held adjusting Affordable: The driver pays a • Customer control of authorized
company in the United States, a designa- small $2.98 week legal retainer via pay- users and more
tion it still holds today. roll or settlement deduction. Customers can contact their local
As we celebrate this milestone and Legal Fees: The driver pays a flat MHC representative to learn how to
reflect on our long history, we also look $100 legal fee for any moving or no- sign up for the prime service offering.
ahead toward the future. CIA continues moving violation and $250 for a simple
to add industry-leading talent to our accident that does not involve loss of EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
organization and build strong relation- life or limb. No exclusions or limita-
ships with new client-partners. Quality tions on hours. Other major violations
work and customer service remain our drugs, alcohol, smuggling etc. will be
focus. We strive to maintain the feel quoted at one third off our normal rate.
of the family business Custard started Experience: Drivers Legal Plan has
60 years ago, even while growing into a handled over 350,000 cases over 31 years Smith Paint & Body has the experi-
national organization. and has a database of every case in every ence and expertise to take care of all
This anniversary is special, not court we have appeared. Our success rate your paint and body work for mid-size
only for our current CIA team, but is at 95% with some type of relief. Learn to heavy trucks of all makes and mod-
also for all the former CIA employees more at Driverslegalplan.com or els. You can count on us to give you
whose hard work and persistence have 405-948-6576. the very best service when it comes to
made this longstanding company what fiberglass/SMC/aluminum repairs, glass
it is today. Thank you to the entire CIA MHC OFFERS DIGITAL replacement/repairs, collision repairs,
team, both past and present, for your PAYMENT PORTALS day cab conversions and painting/refin-
tireless efforts. MHC Kenworth recently partnered ishing. No job is too small or too large.
Finally, we would like to extend a with HighRadius Corporation to cre- We welcome your insurance claim work
sincere thank you to all our supporters ate a one-stop payment portal for truck and are happy to provide you with free
and client-partners. We could not have loans, as well as parts, service, carrier estimates.
made it this far without you and appre- and MHC Truck Leasing invoice pay- We are also expanding with our
ciate your years of support! ments. This new offering is exclusive “501 Sign and Graphics” which will be

42 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

a full-service vinyl and graphics shop. can be confident you have a dedicated
From full vehicle wraps, signs and and knowledgeable team working on
banners, 501 Sign and Graphics can your program. Let us focus on insur-
handle all your needs. We will special- ance, so you can focus on business.
ize in tractor trailer graphics, stock cars, We offer solutions for
emergency vehicles and the graphics • Commercial auto liability
associated with each. We will be open- • General liability
ing to the public in late summer 2021; • Contingent coverages
find us on social media today and let us • Owner operator solutions
“wrap you up.” • Physical damage
• Motor truck cargo
THE TRIANGLE DIFFERENCE “By choosing Triangle
Transportation, you gain a reliable
partner with time-tested insurance
experience. We continue to raise the
standards of integrity and depend-
ability. That’s the Triangle difference.” Kimbrel
— Tim Ballard, manager transportation
division Preston Kimbrel at the new Siloam
Triangle Transportation Agency Call for a competitive quote today – Springs location. Preston has been with
founded in Little Rock, Ark. in 1982, 800-737-7037. Utility Tri-State for right at five years
services customers across 11 states from and recently moved from the Fort Smith
Colorado to North Carolina. We don’t UTILITY TRI-STATE ANNOUNCES location to Siloam Springs.
view insurance as a product, rather an NEW SERVICE MANAGER He can be reached at
important asset to your business. By Utility Tri-State is excited to [email protected] or by
choosing Triangle Transportation, you announce our new Service Manager phone at 918-262-3028. ATR



TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COMPANY’S


EDITORIAL COVERAGE





This exclusive editorial section is included in every single Insider Trucking
A look at the latest products, services and news from ATR advertisers
edition of the Arkansas Trucking Report and is reserved for
advertisers only. It is a place where advertisers may feature a
service, product or newsworthy item of their choosing — such as DRIVERS LEGAL PLAN
Drivers Legal Plan is a national law
CIA firm dedicated to protecting the rights
of professional drivers and the compa-
a new location opening, a new hire, a philanthropic event you Rick Custard began this journey in nental United States. payments, as well as increase efficiency.
nies for which they drive in the conti-
The CIA team is excited to celebrate
The payment portals offer:
our 60th year in business this year.
• Access seven days a week,
24 hours a day
1962, opening CIA’s first office in Fort
Wayne, Indiana. With his unparalleled
• No fees for ACH payments
drive and determination, Mr. Custard
participated in or hosted, etc. Each advertiser has the opportunity developed CIA into the largest indepen- Affordable: The driver pays a small • Automatic invoice payment
• Downloadable statements and view
invoices
dently held adjusting company in the
United States, a designation it still holds
today. $2.98 week legal retainer via payroll or scheduling
settlement deduction.
• Customer control of authorized
users & more
to submit an advertorial of 200 words plus an image (like a to add industry-leading talent to our moving violation and $250 for a simple MHC representative to learn how to
Legal Fees: The driver pays a flat
As we celebrate this milestone and
$100 legal fee for any moving or no-
reflect on our long history, we also look
Customers can contact their local
ahead toward the future. CIA continues
accident that does not involve loss of
sign up for the prime service offering.
life or limb. No exclusions or limita-
organization and build strong relation-
photo or logo). Insider Trucking is a way for you to reach 25,000 work and customer service remain our tions on hours. Other major violations EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
ships with new client-partners. Quality
drugs, alcohol, smuggling etc. will be
focus. We strive to maintain the feel of
quoted at one third off our normal rate.
the family business Mr. Custard started
Experience: Drivers Legal Plan has
60 years ago, even while growing into a
national organization. handled over 350,000 cases over 31
loyal readers who are dedicated to the trucking industry and who only for our current CIA team, but success rate is at 95% with some type of ence and expertise to take care of all
years and has a database of every case
in every court we have appeared. Our
This anniversary is special, not
Smith Paint & Body has the experi-
also for all the former CIA employees
relief. Learn more at Driverslegalplan.
com or (405) 948-6576. your paint and body work for mid-size
to heavy trucks of all makes and mod-
whose hard work and persistence have
els. You can count on us to give you
are reading Arkansas Trucking Report from cover to cover. team, both past and present, for your with HighRadius Corporation to cre- replacement/repairs, collision repairs,
made this longstanding company what
NEW! MHC OFFERS DIGITAL
it is today. Thank you to the entire CIA
the very best service when it comes to
PAYMENT PORTALS
fiberglass/SMC/aluminum repairs, glass
tireless efforts.
MHC Kenworth recently partnered
Finally, we would like to extend a
day cab conversions and painting/refin-
Submit your advertorial to be included in the next issue of sincere thank you to all our supporters ate a one-stop payment portal for truck and are happy to provide you with free
ishing. No job is too small or too large.
and client-partners. We could not have
loans, as well as parts, service, Carrier
We welcome your insurance claim work
made it this far without you and appre-
and MHC Truck Leasing invoice pay-
estimates.
ciate your years of support!
42 ments. This new offering is exclusive We are also expanding with our
to MHC customers and will streamline
the Arkansas Trucking Report and take control of your company’s “501 Sign and Graphics” which will be
Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
editorial coverage.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 1 2022 43

S TAT VIE W











Arkansas Election Season


Kicks Off


Arkansas Election Season Kicks Off


From Feb. 22 to March 1, 2022, Arkansas candidates for elected office filed their candidacy. Political veterans and first-
From Feb. 22 to March 1, 2022, Arkansas candidates for elected office filed their candidacy. Political veterans and
timers filed the paperwork to ensure their names are on the ballot.
first-timers filed the paperwork to ensure their names are on the ballot.
All state senate and state representative seats are up for election. Fifteen (15) of the 35 state senate races will face
All state senate and state representative seats are up for election. Fifteen (15)of the 35 state senate races will face
Republican primaries, and only one district will have a Democrat primary. Thirty-seven (37) of the 100 representative races
Republican primaries, and only one district will have a Democrat primary. Thirty-six (36) of the 100 representative
will be on the Republican primary ballot in May, and nine will be on the Democratic primary ballot.
races will be on the Republican primary ballot in May, and nine will be on the Democratic primary ballot.
For statewide and federal races, dozens of hopefuls will be campaigning for a chance to lead Arkansas.
For statewide and federal races, dozens of hopefuls will be campaigning for a chance to lead Arkansas.
Filing Day Candidates for Arkansas 2022 Races
Candidates for Arkansas 2022 Races
DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN OTHER

U.S. SENATE
U.S. Senate

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 1
U.S. Representative District 1

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 2
U.S. Representative District 2

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 3
U.S. Representative District 3
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 4
U.S. Representative District 4

GOVERNOR
Governor

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Lietenant Governor

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Attorney General

SECRETARY OF STATE
Secretary of State
TREASURER
Treasurer

AUDITOR
Auditor

LAND COMMISSIONER
Commissioner
Source: Arkansas Secretary of State Office ATR
Source: Arkansas Secretary of State Office
44 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

You manage


your business.





We’ll manage



your risks.

















We Know the Transportation Industry



Specializing in insurance and risk management for the transportation industry.



















Little Rock Birmingham Fayetteville
1500 Riverfront Dr., 2211 7th Ave S. 1465 E. Joyce Blvd., Ste. 205,
Little Rock, AR 72202 Birmingham, AL 35233 Fayetteville, AR 72703
501-661-4800 | 800-542-0226 205-252-9871 | 800-476-2211 501-661-4800 | 800-542-0226



©2020, McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc., McGriff
Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved. McGriffInsurance.com

THE LAST WORD








The More Things Change, the



More They Stay the Same






Roby Brock through committees, chambers and be The primaries will give us a good
Guest Writer signed by the governor—just like it’s been read on the makeup of that Republican
since our 1874 Constitution was adopted. governing majority.
As we enter 2022, I’ll celebrate (and The legislature has changed in its Democrats’ best goal is to win
commiserate) working at the state capi- makeup. I’ve worked with legislators who enough legislative races (25%) to remove
tol or covering Arkansas politics for 30 had served 40+ years in the same seat. I the “supermajority” status of the GOP.
years. My first foray in state politics was remember the first time term limits kicked That would give them some power, such
working in the transition office when in and we saw nearly half of the House as being able to dictate passage of budget
then-Gov. Bill Clinton was elected presi- and Senate leave in one cycle. And I’ve seen bills which could influence policy.
dent and he transferred power to then the changes brought about by the seismic I tell people often: there have always
Lt. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker. I got to witness shift in Arkansas politics from Democratic been competent legislators and incom-
that historic transfer of leadership up supermajorities to Republican ones. petent legislators—with or without term
close in a private chamber session, which Up to one-half of the state legis- limits, despite which political party is in
was pretty exciting for a 20-something lature may be different after this next power. The good ones always find a way
political newbie. election cycle due to retirements, term into leadership roles. I don’t expect that
Right after he was sworn in, Gov. limits, potential defeats of incumbents to change after the 2022 election.
Tucker called a special session of the and newly drawn districts. The late Tim Massanelli, longtime
legislature to deal with a Medicaid fund- Republicans will hold their legisla- parliamentarian in the Arkansas House,
ing shortfall, which led to the soda tive supermajorities, maybe even build used to give a capitol tour to freshmen
pop tax that stayed on the books for on them. They are frontrunners for all representatives when they came for
decades. During that dramatic special statewide races and federal offices. orientation. He would encourage them to
session, bottlers circled the capitol with The major battle in this GOP look at the previous General Assemblies,
their delivery trucks in an intimidating rule will be between two strains of whose composite pictures hang like a
blockade and their employees entered Republicanism in the upcoming pri- yearbook on the walls of the capitol
the marble halls of the capitol shaking maries, although I’m generalizing to corridors.
empty aluminum soft drink cans filled some extent in defining those branches. At the last stop, Massanelli would
with pennies. It was near-deafening. One subset of GOP candidates appeals tell the freshmen: “You know what
Meanwhile, supporters of Medicaid— to voters who are more “establish- all of these pictures have in common?
nursing home employees and residents, ment.” They have been party activists Everybody thought they were the great-
developmentally disabled families and for decades, tend to be conservative on est thing ever for this institution and
teams of pro-soda pop tax supporters— social issues and lean pro-business on it would stop after they left. But it kept
wandered the halls in confrontation with fiscal matters. going. Remember this place was here
the uniformed soft drink workers. A newer subset fits more into the long before you got here, and it will last
I see debates today with similar category of “populist.” They are con- long after you leave. Take good care of
passions. The topics may change, but servative fiscally, conservative on some it while you’re here, but remember it’s
the process for affecting public policy social issues but libertarian on others, timeless.”
hasn’t. A majority of 100 House mem- and often settle into an unwavering
bers and 35 Senators must agree on the position despite where expertise or new Roby Brock is the editor-in-chief of Talk
Business & Politics and a 23-year-old
policy shift and that proposal must pass evidence may direct a policy debate. multi-media organization.

Opinions expressed on this page may not reflect official policies or opinions of the Arkansas Trucking Association or the American Trucking Associations.

46 Issue 1 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

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Team AR!
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Team Special Olympics Arkansas, a 159 member Team AR! Donate to Team AR!
delegation, is headed to the To learn more, visit our website at:
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