Each year, Trucking Moves America Forward — a cooperative mission of several organizations to create a positive image for the industry, ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy and build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future — features three trucking families on its website.
Three new trucking families are featured this year in TMAF’s “Meet the Truckers” page: the Pottle, Peterson and Garcia families.
The Meet the Truckers campaign aims to share the personal stories of trucking families who demonstrate the generations in the industry, their rise to success and their motivation to keep on trucking.
Here is the story of the Pottles. The two remaining families will be featured in subsequent issues.
Chelsea Pottle Demmons shares the story of the Pottle family business. Chelsea was one of the featured “Women of Trucking,” on TMAF’s social media pages during International Women’s Month in 2018.
She is company leader at Pottle Transportation in Bangor, Maine, and represents the third generation of Pottle Transportation, “and counting” she says.
C.E. Pottle & Son was founded in 1962 by Clifton “Cliff” Pottle. After becoming incorporated in 1972, the company has grown into a nationally-recognized carrier. President and CEO Barry Pottle purchased Pottle’s from his father in 1988. Since then, he has grown the company from 11 trucks to 160-plus trucks with 575-plus trailers. Pottle’s now has third-generation family members — Matt England and Chelsea Pottle Demmons — in key leadership positions, as well. Barry is currently serving as chairman of the American Trucking Associations and is a past chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.
Here’s what Chelsea has to say about her company and the trucking industry.
On generations:
“Pottle’s was founded in 1962 by my grandfather, Clifton Pottle. In 1988, my father, Barry, who was a truck driver, purchased Pottle’s. The company has grown from 11 trucks to over 160 trucks, with more than 600 trailers, and we have two terminals: our home terminal in Bangor, Maine, and a second terminal located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Pottle’s now has third-generation family members, my brother Matt and I, in leadership positions. We both have young children, so there is a real possibility of a fourth generation.”
On why she chose trucking:
“I chose to build a career in trucking for many reasons, but mostly because I knew it would provide for my family just as it did for me growing up. The schedules are flexible, and there is always opportunity. I knew I wouldn’t be able to enjoy any other career as much as I do with trucking.”
What she likes about trucking:
“Working in the family business is hard work, but it’s also very rewarding. I love the people that make up the trucking industry. It’s an inspiring group of co-workers and other trucking enthusiasts who love the industry and work tirelessly to transport all of the goods we take for granted.”
About the road ahead:
“When you have the right people in place doing their job exceptionally and professionally day in and day out in an ever-changing industry, there are no limits to our success. The passion of the people in the trucking industry is remarkable.”
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
