Trucking Life

During Black History Month, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) is recognizing the achievements of professional truck drivers for their modern-day successes in the trucking industry. Dee Sova, a driver for Prime Inc., is recognized as one of this year’s Black History Month Leaders who are helping to move America forward every day. Sova said she decided to become a professional truck driver nearly 30 years ago when, as a single mother, she wanted to provide a better lifestyle for her family. During her years on the road, she has racked up close to 3 million safe miles. Today, Sova has three adult daughters and her husband has one son; together they have 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sova and her husband drive as an over-the-road team hauling fresh, frozen and dry goods. The couple’s 11-pound Chihuahua is an honorary member of the driving team, and Sova said her husband cooks on the truck, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During her 30-minute breaks, Sova’s favorite activities are connecting with family and friends via Facebook and Instagram. In addition, she said, she has recently started reading personal growth and development books. Having a chance to see this beautiful country and meeting a lot of people along the way are two of the things Sova likes best about being a professional truck driver. She loves meeting people that help her “get to the next level,” and connecting with those people is very important to her. “I meet most of these people while shopping,” she said with a giggle. Sova also wants the public to know what an awesome a career the trucking industry can provide. “The industry is constantly changing, so new drivers must be prepared to roll with those changes as they come,” she said. “While it is exciting to see the beautiful country, drivers make a commitment to leave their families to serve the needs of others. They do so with pride and deserve to be valued. This industry has a multitude of opportunities, but it takes a servant’s heart to plug into it long-haul.”

During Black History Month, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) is recognizing the achievements of professional truck drivers for their modern-day successes in the trucking industry. Derrick Whittle, a driver for Cargo Transporters Inc., is recognized as one of this year’s Black History Month Leaders who are helping to move America forward every day. During his 41-plus years as a professional truck driver, Whittle has logged more than 3.8 million accident-free miles. He will celebrate 29 years with Cargo Transporters this July. Before entering the trucking industry, Whittle served in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he discovered a fascination with large machinery, from ships to aircraft. “I just had an affinity for large vessels,” he said. While in the Coast Guard, Whittle travelled home via Greyhound bus during leave. He loved buses, and upon his discharge from the Coast Guard, he wanted to become a bus driver. Unfortunately, the minimum age to be a bus driver was 25 — and Whittle was only 21. Whittle’s older brother suggested becoming a truck driver and connected him with a driving school instructor. Whittle stepped up to the challenge, finishing in the top 10 of the class. Whittle says being a professional truck driver is the perfect career for him. “What I do works well for me. It is hard for me to sit still for very long, so driving a truck I get to see the country; I am basically a paid tourist!” he said, adding that one of the most inspiring aspects of being a truck driver is having the chance to meet people across the country. In addition to driving a big rig, Whittle is an ordained minister. Throughout his career, he said, he has met a lot of people who are searching, and he enjoys helping others get back on track. “A person’s self being is more important to me. In the shape of the world today, this is what I need to do,” he explained. “I see the world differently and enjoy helping others find their purpose of living. When I see them smile, it is the best reward.” Recently, an Air Force veteran stopped to ask Whittle about his truck, which features a patriotic wrap, and Whittle gave him a tour, right there in the snow and rain. “My truck is such a magnet,” Whittle reflected. There is a connection there for him, and I love to bring all of that together.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Derrick said finds himself even more in demand as people struggle to find their purpose in an uncertain world. His advice? “There is a lot of unknown and the doctors are trying their best to explain and understand this. It is just a season and it will eventually pass,” he stated. “Be patient and be careful. We will get through this.”

During Black History Month, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) is recognizing the achievements of professional truck drivers for their modern-day successes in the trucking industry. Charlton Paul, a driver for UPS Freight, is recognized as one of this year’s Black History Month Leaders who are helping to move America forward every day. Paul has been a professional truck driver for more than 25 years, and has worked for UPS Freight for the past 23 years. During that quarter-century of driving, he has accumulated more than 2.2 million accident-free miles. Paul became fascinated with trucking at age 7, while on a trip to the store with his father. While there, Paul says, he stopped to look at the “beautiful” truck unloading goods. Since then,  Paul was hooked, and could not wait to become a professional truck driver. “It is the most fantastic job,” said Paul when reflecting on his career as a professional truck driver. “When I sit down and actually think about what I am contributing to society, it is a huge honor for me.” Paul also discussed delivering medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as delivering equipment and textbooks that will be used to educate future engineers and leaders. Understanding the impact, he is having on someone else’s life through the goods he delivers makes his job even more important, he says. Paul’s family says they are very proud of his accomplishments and recognitions, from being honored at the White House by former President Donald Trump to being featured in UPS Magazine. As his family gains more of an understanding for what he does, he said, they have is a lot more appreciation for the entire trucking industry. “There is a reason behind everything,” Paul said while discussing the importance of educating the public on the trucking industry. Through the Share the Road program, Paul has seen students and adults recognize ways to drive differently after being educated about blind spots and the amount of distance it takes for a big truck to come to a complete stop. In his efforts to educate the public about sharing the road with big rigs, Paul gives a lot of praise to the advanced technologies in trucks today, noting, “Technology will never replace us, but (it) will continue to make us better drivers.” When he’s not educating the public about safe driving, Paul is teaching his peers at UPS Freight. During new-hire orientations, Paul writes this important piece of advice on the board: “Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.” “It is not just about me; it’s about my peers and pulling people up,” he explained, adding that he is honored and humbled to be at this stage of his career, and he hopes to use his platform and success to encourage others to be like him.

When John Tibbs climbs into his rolling office and fires up the Volvo VNL760, he turns heads just about anywhere he goes. That’s thanks to the fully wrapped cab that features graphics of puzzle pieces and a handshake, arranged to form a heart. Amid the colorful shapes, slogans proclaim: “Celebrate neurodiversity” and “Help raise autism awareness.” The truck’s cab is crowned with the phrase, “There is no cure for being yourself.” Tibbs enjoys driving the truck — and not just because he topped many of his co-workers at Thomas E. Keller Trucking of Defiance, Ohio, for the honor. He also enjoys driving the rig because of the chance it gives him to share his unique perspective with people on the subject of autism. “I have two children that are plagued by the disorder,” he said. “One is 12; her name is Abigail. The other is getting ready to turn 19, and his name is Nicholas. He has it pretty severe.” This firsthand experience makes Tibbs the ideal ambassador for the company’s awareness truck. Wherever he goes, he’s either fielding questions or sharing stories with people who, like himself, have been personally impacted by the developmental disorder. “I get people coming up all the time wanting to take pictures of it. With all the information on the truck and all the colors, it kind of sticks out,” he said. “On this one particular occasion I had a gentleman that drives tractor-trailers who had a family member with him that deals with this disease. He asked me to take a picture of him and his daughter next to the truck,” he shared. “They were very excited to know what we were trying to accomplish, and I’ve had many people comment on the fact that they have a family member who is affected by this disorder and how much they appreciate the fact that we’re trying to raise money for families that are dealing with the same issues.” Such field reports are sweet music to the ears of Jonathan Wolfrum, president of Keller Trucking, a 250-tractor outfit that’s a subsidiary of Keller Logistics Group. Designating a company “charity truck” wasn’t his idea, but it quickly became a popular labor of love for the company’s 275 drivers. “I want to give credit to a company called Transland in Missouri. We’re in the ‘best practice’ group with them, called the TPP — the Transportation Profitability Program,” Wolfrum said. “You present a best idea at each one of our meetings. This is actually one of their ideas, to have a charity truck where every mile the truck drives, we donate. In this case, it’s three cents per mile to the cause,” he said. “They had a couple trucks that they’ve done that with in the past. We really thought it was a great idea.” Keller had already developed a culture of philanthropy, having launched a veterans’ foundation that has garnered the support of the local community to the tune of $300,000 over six years. Given that track record, a charity truck felt like a good fit — provided they could come up with the right cause. Wanting the widest buy-in possible, company leadership turned to the workforce for input. “We surveyed our employees, first thing,” Wolfrum said. “We put the idea out there and said, ‘We’re going to do this charity truck idea. We’ve not preselected any charity or foundation. Let us know what affects you.’ We got a ton of results in, and I’ll say an overwhelming majority mentioned autism affecting their lives in one way or another. “So, it was pretty clear to us that that’s what we wanted to do,” he explained. “At that point, we went to work doing some research and trying to understand the best way to go about it, from the design and what we wanted to support. That’s kind of how that all started.” The truck hit the road in September 2020 and since then has racked up 40,000 miles. Wolfrum said the decision was made to let the truck preach awareness rather than promote a specific organization, with the money going to projects that have a local impact. “We had someone local in the community who reached out to me who has a child with autism,” he said. “We have what’s called a splash pad, a local park with all the water toys and all that. There’s no fence around this splash pad, and children with autism tend to wander and they’re kind of hard to contain sometimes. “So, our first project we’re taking on is we’re going to build a fence around this splash pad, probably in the spring, and we’re going to fund that partially from the funds of this truck,” he continued. “The cost of that is probably going to be a little bit more than what we’ve contributed this first year with the truck alone, so we’re going to lead the fundraising efforts and get some other companies in the community involved to finalize that project.” Response to the truck has been so good, company leadership followed it up with a specially wrapped trailer, this time bringing awareness to domestic violence and human trafficking. The idea was brought to Keller’s management by the local chapter of anti-domestic violence nonprofit Zonta International. Lacey Spangler, a member of the local organization praised the company for getting on board with the effort, adding that the eye-catching graphics, which include a hotline number to report incidents of trafficking or for victims of abuse to get help, can save lives. “I think that just shows great initiative on their part, to help with an issue that is ongoing and that does involve the trucking industry,” Spangler said. “There’s so much involved with trafficking that can occur in trucks, with trucking as a front. I think it says a lot [about Keller] to be involved in the community and to help the community and then, to stand up and say we realize this is an issue and we’re going to put ourselves out there to help bring some light to it. “We want people to know there is help out there,” she said. “Putting that information on a truck that drives across the state and across the country really gets that message out there.” The company plans to keep the charity truck in circulation at least until the rig is traded out, usually after five years of service. Regardless, Wolfrum said, the spirit of community service and philanthropy will always be part of how the company does business. “We support our employees who are in the community, and it comes full circle,” he said. “We’ve got a ton of social media interaction on this — and while that wasn’t intent per se, it shows we’ve got people looking out for the truck. They see the truck, they go on our Facebook page and post. We just really get great acceptance to it. “We’ve always been committed to our employees first and then our community. The support that we’ve seen from this has really been overwhelming,” he concluded.

Some people get the bug early, growing up around trucks and the trucking industry, knowing they want to drive those huge machines someday. Others pursue a different path, coming to trucking later, often when the circumstances of life compel them to try something different. The latter is the case for Karen Noel. After a career spanning more than three decades in the banking industry, crunching numbers and reconciling accounts, she found herself behind the wheel. She also found recognition as Women In Trucking’s (WIT) January 2021 Member of the Month. “Working in banking, I never had a clue about trucks,” she said. Noel came to trucking when she was laid off from her banking job and her truck-driver husband, Roosevelt, invited her to ride along on the road. “I was amazed at the women drivers I saw,” she related. She spoke to those she met and, with their encouragement, began to shift her mindset from being a passenger to taking the wheel. “I decided to get my CDL so I could drive, too,” she said. She began by enrolling at Apex CDL Institute in Kansas City, Kansas. Once confronted with the realities of piloting a tractor-trailer, Noel said she had to face down some fears. “I had to overcome a lot of insecurities and questioned if I really wanted to do this job,” she recalled. As with many CDL students, backing an articulated vehicle did not come naturally for Noel. “Everything was backwards from my car,” she said. “It was hard to remember how to get the trailer to go in the direction I wanted.” Noel credits her husband for his patience while she developed her skills. “I practiced a lot, and my husband is very patient,” she related. “He makes me believe in myself.” She faced another insecurity after graduation, when she was faced with the prospect of completing a driver-finishing program with someone she had never met. “One company I applied to said I had to go with a female trainer, but I wanted to go with my husband, because I trust him,” she said. She and Roosevelt negotiated with potential employers, settling on Knight Transportation, which agreed to allow her husband to be her trainer. “If I had been with another trainer, I might not have made it,” she remarked. In the end, Noel’s tenacity — combined with Roosevelt’s patience — paid dividends. “My husband was my trainer, but I still had to pass the assessment to be allowed to drive,” she said. Pass she did, and the couple became an operating team for Knight. Soon, the urge to own their own truck took over — and so did Noel’s talent for investigating and organizing. They started with a well-known resource, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). “We met the OOIDA truck at one of our stops and got a lot of advice about owning our own truck,” she said. Next, they talked to other owner-operator teams. Noel’s banking background came into play as the couple formed a business plan. That plan include a change of carrier. Once they had a plan in place, they worked on obtaining a truck. “After talking to other owner-operators, we determined that we did not want to lease/purchase a truck,” she said. “We decided to buy.” They visited a Peterbilt dealer, planning to check out used equipment, but fate intervened. “Somebody had ordered a yellow Peterbilt 579 with the PACCAR engine and automated transmission,” she explained. That original deal never happened. After listening to their plan, the dealer offered terms that were acceptable. “The cards just kind of fell in place on that one.” The couple leased their new Pete to Forward Air, where they felt they could get the miles they need to make the business work. “We work open route. We run a lot of I-80, I-70 and I-40 and occasionally I-20,” she explained. “We like 2,000 to 2,400 mile runs when we can get them.” For Noel, winning the Member of the Month award from WIT helped validate her success in her new career. “It put me in a place to think I’m really a driver,” she explained. “I didn’t think it would happen and I thank God for it.” When she’s not on the road, Noel spends time with family. “When I’m home, I help care for the grandkids, and homeschool them when I can,” she said. “It’s harder when we’re gone so much.” While Noel credits her husband for his help, she says her soon-to-be 94-year-old mother, Rotina, helped instill Noel’s drive and determination. “She always had an ‘I can’ attitude,” she commented. Noel inherited that spirit and tries to pass it along to others. “You CAN,” she insisted. “There is no such thing as, ‘I can’t learn to do that.’ You can do anything you set your mind to.” Noel acknowledges the help she received while looking for a new career and wants to give something back. “I’d like to be able to help people who struggle with upward mobility,” she said. “I went to this program, ‘Connections to Success,’ and I’d like to get involved with them when I can.” She added, “They help a lot of people who are unemployed and discouraged.” Noel’s faith is another important value. “My faith is more important than ever, now that I’m driving,” she explained. “If I didn’t pray so much, I probably wouldn’t make it.” Until she began trucking, Noel attended services at her church on Sundays and Wednesdays. That’s not possible while on the road, but she does what she can. “We visit the Trucker Chapels at truck stops when we’re on the road,” she said. “My husband is a faithful man.” She reads a lot when she’s not driving, and she hopes to resume knitting and crocheting one day, when time permits. “I’d also like to learn to play a musical instrument,” she added. “I played the French horn in high school.” Whether she’s taking on a hobby or a new career, it’s a good bet Noel will find a way to succeed. “Believe in yourself and be determined,” she said. “Turn ‘I can’t’ into ‘I WILL.’”

Over-the-road driver Frankie Faulk answered a few questions about her career on the road in a recent interview with The Trucker. Q: Where do you call home? A: Lumberton, North Carolina Q: How long have you been a truck driver? A: Two years Q: How long do you spend on the road at a time? A: This varies for me since I’m a mother, but typically, no longer than three months. I try my best to make it home for holidays, birthdays, school open houses, first day of school and special occasions. In the summer, I bring one of my children with me and we ride for three months. They love it because it enhances what they’ve learned about different states from their textbooks. Q: Why did you seek a career as a truck driver? A: When it was time to take family road trips, I was always ready, and I volunteered to be the designated driver. My family often complimented my driving skills and told me that I was a great driver. Once I got serious about switching careers, I started researching the trucking industry to see if it would be a good fit for someone like me — a woman and mother of three children. I found out that there are so many women and moms in the industry doing what I wanted to do — drive. The reason I chose to drive for Prime is because they celebrate women in the industry. Q: Will you tell us a little about being a lease operator? A: Being a lease operator, or independent contractor, is like running your own small business but having the safety net of still being with a company at the same time. To me, being a lease operator is the best of both worlds. You don’t force dispatch, and it comes with more freedom than being a company driver. Q: What did you look for in a trucking company to lease to? A: I actually didn’t know much about leasing. Initially, my thought was not to buy a truck but to be a truck driver. However, when I was researching schools for my commercial driver’s license (CDL), Prime was one of my top three choices. I followed Prime on social media, read their reviews on indeed.com, and read their website, which lists all the options they offer. When I was in training at Prime, my trainer talked with me about lease-purchase opportunities. I then weighed the pros and cons and decided that leasing was the best choice for me. Q: What’s your advice to anyone looking to become a truck driver? A: For women who want to come on the road, understand you are not alone. We are out here doing it and making it look great! If you have children and they are smaller, I would wait until they are older. If you have a support system at home, that’s definitely a plus. Do your own research about companies, and jot down the pros and cons of your top choices. Go where you feel is best for you. Come with an open mind, be teachable, have patience and LEARN. Don’t stop learning. Q: More specifically what is your advice for anyone looking to become a lease operator? A: The trucking industry is constantly evolving and requires a commitment to the craft. As with any business, it has its ups and downs, but the good outweighs the bad. My advice for anyone looking to become a lease operator is to research the options available in the industry — and never be afraid to ask questions. This is one of the most diverse industries that I have worked in. It includes many different people who have been driving for years, and newbies like myself. Everyone will have an opinion, but you have to find the option that works best for you. For me, the multiple short- and long-term leasing options offered by Prime were a good match with my career goals. To find your match, educate yourself on the leasing programs available in the industry and select the option that closely aligns with your career goals.  

DES MOINES, Iowa — TMC Transportation’s driver of the month for December 2020, Brad Coppin, got his start in the transportation industry hauling poultry. When the poultry industry started to take a hit, however, he decided it was time for a change. While scoping out trucks and observing drivers at truck stops, Coppin said, he got an idea of the different freight trailer types available and the lifestyle those drivers live. From then on, he knew he wanted to be a flatbed driver. He narrowed his research to flatbed transportation companies online and visited truck-driver forums to narrow his options down the best company. “TMC had one of the best reputations out there. Any complaints were minor,” he noted. “I called them to discuss more and found out they had one of the best pay programs out there.” Coppin joined TMC’s linehaul division, and soon expressed interest in becoming a trainer. “I started training because I got to meet more people and experience different cultures,” he explained. “Now, my favorite part of being a trainer is having conversations with people. I love it when people ask questions about what I am doing. It breaks up the monotony of a regular solo day.” Coppin has now been with TMC for 12 years and worked as a driver-trainer for a total of five years, taking some time off to simply drive for the company. In those five years as a driver-trainer, Coppin said, he’s learned a lot. “I’ve learned it is not about how you get the job done, but the end result that matters. We do not all do it the same way,” he said. “I have to remind myself sometimes, you can have a different way of doing something and still do it right.” Allowing drivers to — safely — make their own way isn’t the only thing that helps Coppin be a great trainer. He’s also learned the most important piece of the trainer-trainee puzzle is patience. “You have to help (new drivers) learn and be patient with them,” he said. Coppin’s philosophy on being a trainer is unique, according to the folks at TMC. “The training does not end when you leave my truck. My job from that point on is to help you be successful. I tell each trainee, ‘If you have any questions, call me.’ Most of my trainees do. I do my best to keep in touch with each person I train,” he said. “I owe a lot to my trainer, TMC driver, Kent Hall,” Coppin continued. “He has been an inspiration to me and taught me everything I know. We have since become friends and talk daily. I get tips and advice from him as well. … TMC takes care of their people.” Jeff Geist, TMC’s training coordinator manager, said he appreciates Coppin’s work as a driver-trainer “Brad brings a lot of TMC experience to training drivers,” Geist noted. “Brad trains people the right way to be safe and successful and is available for support beyond the time they get into their own truck.” Each month, TMC selects a driver-trainer who demonstrates the outstanding qualities the company looks for in a trainer. The trainer of the month recipient is chosen based on their safety record and the safety performance of their trainees, the number of drivers trained and the retention percentage of those drivers.

Leadership. Discipline. Decisiveness. These are three qualities necessary for a successful military career. Those skills translate well to post-military careers, too. Like trucking. Ivan Hernandez honed these skills during a 20-year career in the U.S. Army that included four tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Veterans make excellent truck drivers because of the skills they learn in the military,” he said, referring to the three noted above. Today, he’s using those skills to run his own trucking small business — while giving something back to other veterans who are entering the civilian workforce. In December, it was announced that Hernandez was the winner of the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award as America’s top military rookie driver. The contest is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative along with FASTPORT, a veteran employment software company, and Kenworth Truck Company. As the award winner, Hernandez received a brand-new, fully loaded Kenworth T680 truck, instantly transitioning from company driver to owner-operator. The truck is equipped with the PACCAR MX-13 engine, 12-speed automated PACCAR transmission and 40,000-pound rear axles, and includes a 76-inch sleeper with the Kenworth Driver’s Studio package. “The first time I drove it, it was so smooth that I didn’t realize how fast I was going and had to slow down,” Hernandez said. “It’s like driving a giant Lexus.” The decision to become a professional driver wasn’t something Hernandez took lightly. As his military retirement date neared, he spent time considering the options. His duty assignment as an adviser for the Saudi Arabia National Guard left him with enough time to explore the possibilities. “I was able to research what I wanted to do when I got out,” he explained. “I’ve always wanted to drive across the United States.” Once he was back in the States, Hernandez briefly stayed at a small campground. “A lot of my neighbors were truck drivers or retired drivers,” he recalled. “One that I got to know pretty well told me, ‘You were meant to be a truck driver.’” Hernandez chose Roadmaster Driving School in Dunn, North Carolina, for his training. “Being a military guy, I liked the way they are organized, and it was a six-week program,” he said. The choice to join Werner Enterprises wasn’t an accident, either. “I had researched Werner’s ‘Freedom Fleet,’ and then a Werner representative made a presentation at the school,” he related. “I went OTR (over-the-road) right away. I had my passport, and I was ready to travel.” While Hernandez felt ready for the job, he soon learned something every driver experiences: Safety is vital. “Seeing the number of accidents on the highways was a real shock,” he said. “Safety is my biggest concern, but I learned that you see a lot of accidents on the road.” Hernandez was determined to continue learning after graduating from CDL school. “I make it a habit to talk to my peers out on the road, especially older guys or drivers with a lot of experience,” he said. “I try to pick their brains about how to better the industry.” But he didn’t stop there. “I wanted more knowledge, so I signed up for flatbed, but there was a waiting list,” he said. “When they called me, I went to Omaha (Nebraska) for training.” Hernandez was driving in Werner’s flatbed division when he was nominated for the Transition Trucking award. He was chosen as one of 10 preliminary finalists by a committee comprised of representatives from carriers, training schools, suppliers and trade associations. Judging criteria included safety performance, customer service, work record, military service record, community service and more. Preliminary finalists were required to submit a video profile, photographs and other information, along with answers to interview questions. Three finalists were selected by public vote on the Transition Trucking website, and then the selection committee determined the winner and two runners-up. Hernandez was presented the keys to his new Kenworth during an announcement ceremony in Chillicothe, Ohio, where the company has a manufacturing plant. Owning a truck required yet another transition — and offered another learning opportunity. Hernandez approached the responsibilities of being an owner-operator as a mission, studying and learning as much as possible. “I wasn’t expecting to win. I thank the military for helping me be adaptable,” he noted. He credits MHC Kenworth in Durham, North Carolina, with helping him prepare for truck ownership. “They’re top-notch,” he said. “They really prepared me for the truck, and they stay in touch for software updates, etc.” One feature on his new truck that Hernandez had to become familiar with is the Kenworth Idle Management System, which ties the HVAC system in the sleeper to a battery-powered APU. “I’m still learning, but it’s supposed to start the truck when the batteries fall to 50%,” he explained. “I’ve slept overnight and then some with the heat blasting, but I think 73% or so is as drained as the batteries ever got.” The driver’s seat in the T680 is another difference Hernandez had to learn about. Marketed by Kenworth as “The World’s Best,” the seat offers heating and cooling, micro-damping, auto leveling and memory. “For driving, comfort and safety, Kenworth went above and beyond,” he said. As for learning the owner-operator side of the business, he said, “I’m still learning, but it’s going well so far. I look at fuel pricing a lot more closely, and the cost of services.” When he’s not trucking, Hernandez has plenty to keep him busy. “I’m still working on my ‘honey-do’ list,” he said. “I have to thank my wife for putting up with me all these years.” The couple believes in staying in shape, both physically and mentally. “I actually met her at a yoga class,” Hernandez noted. “I went through resiliency training at Penn State, a part of the positive psychology training the military does to help bring down the suicide curve. She was the instructor.” He’s committed to helping other veterans transition to life after the military. “I’m working on a series of videos to help veterans with a smooth transition from the military,” he said. “There are about 200,000 that transition every year. I’ve only got one posted so far but I’m working on two others and plan a whole series.” Hernandez says he’s “very tech savvy” and carries video equipment along on the road. His initial video is posted on his YouTube channel, “Veterans 2 Trucking.” As if all that’s not enough to keep him busy, Hernandez has also picked up a new hobby. “Believe it or not, I actually picked up kite-surfing in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I’ll carry the craft in my truck.” Whether he’s on the road, at the beach, working his “honey-do” list in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, or parked somewhere making educational videos, you can count on two things from Ivan Hernandez: He’ll be busy, and he’ll be learning.

ATLANTA — There’s no doubt truck drivers know a thing or two about steering a big rig, but what about “steering” their way to better health? “Steering Your Way to Better Health,” the newest Fit to Pass fitness challenge is designed to help professional drivers do just that by testing drivers’ strength and conditioning. From Jan. 11 to Feb. 20, drivers can compete in the virtual online challenge by performing as many squats as they can in one, uninterrupted set. There are separate divisions for men and women, and prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 finishers in each division. There is no cost or purchase required to enter. For more information or to register for the contest, visit www.fittopass.com/steering. To verify their performance, truckers should submit video clips to The Trucker at www.thetrucker.com/steeringtobetterhealth. Prizes to the top three finishers in each of the men’s and women’s divisions include: First Place A set of Michelin X Line Energy Z Steering Axle Tires; A set of Alcoa Lightweight Champion Wheels; and A Fitbit Charge 3 Advanced Fitness Tracker. Second Place A $250 Visa gift card; A Fitbit Charge 3 Advanced Fitness Tracker; A Michelin water bottle; and A Fit to Pass hat. Third Place A Fitbit Versa 3 Health and Fitness Smartwatch; A Team Run Smart hat; and A Team Run Smart key chain.                To help improve their overall conditioning and train for the contest, drivers can visit the Fit to Pass website and access a free copy of Bob Perry “The Trucker Trainer’s” training manual. Fit to Pass is a year-round coaching program, but for the 90 days prior to a driver’s DOT recertification exam, the program intensifies to help them pass the exam. Fit to Pass benefits both drivers and employers by: Keeping drivers on the road. Helping retain experienced, skilled drivers. Saving on hiring and training new drivers. Reducing driver sick days. Increasing overall productivity. “The CDL driver lifestyle can be hard on drivers’ health, and if a driver is in jeopardy of losing his or her card, that can be devastating to them and their families,” said Rick Taweel, CEO of Espyr. “Fit to Pass was designed to improve driver health and wellness, help them pass the DOT re-certification exam and protect their livelihoods.” “Michelin understands how important it is to keep drivers healthy, especially when they are on the road,” said Jill Goulette, director of Michelin customer experience. “We are pleased to support Fit to Pass in their continued efforts to improve driver wellness,” “We are proud to partner with Fit To Pass on this exciting endeavor and, together, contribute to overall CDL driver health and wellness,” said Alcoa Wheels General Manager Americas Nathalie Tessier.  “As the new year begins, this is an ideal time to support individual goals, provide a tool that encourages fitness results and contribute to driver re-certification to ensure they remain on the road.” Fit to Pass is sponsored by Transflo, Michelin, Alcoa Wheels, TheTrucker.com, Minute Clinic, SleepCharge, The Big Rig Mattress, Fahrenheit and Team Run Smart.

PLOVER, Wis. — Karen Noel, an owner-operator with Forward Air, has been named January member of the month by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT). Like many professional drivers, trucking was a second career for Noel, who was laid off after working more than 30 years in banking. In 2015, her husband was changing careers and decided to enter the trucking industry, and he asked Noel if she wanted to go into trucking with him. While Noel’s husband was familiar with trucking, she had no experience in the field — so she decided to join him on the road as a passenger. “Once I was out on the road with him, I saw other women truck drivers,” said Noel. “It never registered with me that women could be truck drivers too.” Noel started asking every female truck driver she saw how they felt about the career. She says all the responses she received were positive. After six months of riding along as a passenger on her husband’s runs, Noel decided to go to school to earn her commercial driver’s license (CDL). Noel says that because she had no background in trucking, she really worked hard to overcome challenges, such as backing. She credits her husband for encouraging her throughout the process and being her “rock.” Once she earned her CDL, Noel and her husband worked for Knight Transportation as a team for three years; they are now owner-operators with Forward Air. “Trucking has made me a better person. I’ve learned patience while out on the road,” Noel said. “I’m excited to be a member of Women In Trucking and support its mission. I would like to see more women working in the trucking industry.” While Noel serves as an inspiration to women in trucking, she says she also wants to be an example for her grandchildren — to show them they can be anything they want to be.