Trucking Life

COVID-19 aside, professional truck-driver turnover and the professional truck-driver shortage are common topics when motor-carrier executives gather in person — or on Zoom, in accordance with today’s social-distancing guidelines. If there were more Will Sneads sitting behind the wheel of a big rig and driving the nation’s highways, those executives would need to find something else to occupy their meeting time. Snead, you see, has been a professional truck driver for 25 years — 23 of those with the same company, namely C.R. England in Salt Lake City. This quarter-of-a-century tenure has allowed Snead, age 48, to rack up 3 million safe miles, a coveted milestone among drivers. Snead, who said he is honored to have driven 3 million safe miles, points directly to a strategy he’s employed since he began driving cars and trucks as a teenager. “I pay attention to my surroundings, looking for potential hazards, and in general just take it a little slower than I need to,” he said. “I make time when I can, but at the same time I’m always alert to what is going on around me, constantly checking my mirrors. Over the years, these driving practices have just become habits.” C.R. England executives are quick to praise Snead for more than just his safe driving record. “Will Snead is one of our very best,” said Daren Wingard, vice president of associate relations. “Most of (his career) was as an independent contractor. In that role he was a very smart and successful businessman, running his truck as efficiently and profitably as possible.” Snead has also served as a driver-trainer for C.R. England. “He’s excelled in that role as well,” Wingard said. “Many of his former students keep in touch with him, and still reach out to Will for guidance,” Wingard continued. “Laura McDermott, in our payroll department, has known and worked with Will since she started with us in 1999, and (she) describes Will as a ‘very smart, super-hardworking guy.’” Snead will be honored for his accomplishment of logging 3 million safe miles at the next Gene England Million Miler Club this September. The event is named in honor of Gene England, son of the company founder Chester R. England. Gene England celebrated his 100th birthday October 24, 2019. Snead grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. After high school graduation, he worked at several different jobs before deciding to give trucking a try. At that time, Snead said, C.R. England had a driver-training program at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, terminal. In 1997, at age 25, Snead went to work for the carrier as an independent contractor (IC). His love for travel is what enticed him to join England, Snead said during an interview with The Trucker from Elkhorn, Wisconsin. “I just wanted to travel, and I always liked trucks,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I enjoyed it then and still enjoy it today.” Snead said he decided to become an independent contractor because doing so afforded him more freedom. “There were more privileges being an IC,” he said. Two years ago, after leasing trucks from C.R. England seven times, Snead decided to become a company driver. “Being an IC had become more and more expensive in recent years and being older, I decided I’d rather be a company driver,” he said. “Being a company driver is cheaper. You get paid to see the country, and you have a free place to stay.” Right now, Snead’s primary route is between Wisconsin and Texas, hauling broccoli to Wisconsin and then returning to either San Antonio or Laredo, Texas, with a load of cheese. The 1,400-mile trip takes about two and a half days and often includes a 34-hour reset. Although Snead lists Salt Lake City, the site of C.R. England’s headquarters, as his home, he lives virtually 24/7 in his truck. He’d been running a busy Salt Lake City to Illinois route but said that route “dried up” as the COVID-19 pandemic dragged on. In fact, a lot of routes have dried up in recent weeks after Americans’ purchasing habits slowed after a period of hoarding food and other goods, Snead believes. “They were stocking up, but things have kind of slowed down and settled in, and people are just not buying as much,” Snead said. Until people get more comfortable with former buying habits as the country goes back to work, things may be a bit slower in trucking, he said. “Right now, in my opinion people are being more careful about how they spend their money,” he said. “July is going to be a pretty tough month, when they have three or four months of house payments and car payments and everything else people have stopped paying on. Today, they have had time to calculate their debts and right now they are being pretty frugal. Trucking is an indicator of the true economy.” Snead is not ready to discuss a retirement plan, if he has one, so his tenure at C.R. England will likely continue to lengthen. “Turnover in the industry is always high, so Will is an exception to that rule, even though we have a good number of 10-plus year and 20-plus year drivers,” said David Allred, C.R. England’s director of management services. “I have found in the 11 years I’ve been with the company that those that get into this business with a realistic expectation of what being a driver is — away from home, long hours, hard but rewarding work — tend to stay with it. They can make a good living and like any job, it has its pros and cons,” Allred continued. “Will is a good example of a guy who loves to drive and loves the company, so it’s a great fit.”

When the word “team” is used in trucking, it usually denotes two drivers taking turns at the wheel of one truck. In the case of Wes and Cindy Ward, it means traveling and serving together. “I do the driving,” Wes told The Trucker. “Cindy keeps me fed and taken care of. Whether it’s cooking, trip planning or preparing for the next truck show, Cindy stays busy.” The Maynardville, Tennessee-based couple owns a 2004 Peterbilt 379, christened “Prayerbilt,” that has an extended hood. “We named it ‘Prayerbilt’ because, really, everyone’s life is built on prayer,” Wes explained. The truck, equipped with a 1999 Caterpillar 3406E engine and a 13-speed transmission, is paired with a 2014 Mac 48-foot, 102-inch-wide flatbed trailer. The truck’s transmission is a recent upgrade. “It came with a 10-speed transmission, but this past Christmas we replaced it with a 13-speed,“ Wes explained. “It’s a lot easier going up hills now.” The couple leases the truck to CRST Malone, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. We run pretty much all over,” Wes said, “but we run the Atlanta to Phoenix lane as much as possible. That’s kind of our go-to route.” The couple hauls spools of cable on their preferred run, often returning a load of empty reels to the shipper. The empties don’t pay as well, but at least there are no deadhead miles involved. “If we find something that pays better going back that way, we’ll haul that,” Wes said. The Wards have options in their relationship with CRST. “CRST will help you manage your truck if you want,” Wes said, “but you’ll be dispatched on freight in their system, and that’s primarily east of the Mississippi (river). You can also take (brokered) loads from an approved carrier list if you want more control over your business.” Like most trucking businesses, the Wards have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s been kind of slow all year, but we expected it to be slow,” Wes said. “With the COVID-19, where we used to maybe wait a day to reload, now we might be sitting for several days. It’s off and on.” The Wards brought their truck to last year’s Shell SuperRigs contest and have entered it in other shows as well. “We really enjoy all the fellowship and opportunity to share the gospel at the truck shows,” he explained. The couple was disappointed when the SuperRigs competition was moved online this year, due to safety considerations for the pandemic. “We’d still like to do a couple of shows yet this year if we could,” he said. While Wes controls the driving and maintenance on the truck, the bunk area belongs to Cindy. “I’ve almost got enough room to turn around in our 63-inch bunk,” Wes explained. “I’ve been working to expand the storage.” Some of that storage is used for the Ward’s charitable projects. “Cindy works with charity food banks,” said Wes. “She’s always helping somebody.” This year, that help extended to other drivers who are working through the COVID-19 pandemic. “We found some folks in Knoxville (Tennessee) giving away masks, and we bought some Lysol and some hand sanitizer,” Wes explained. “We gave those things out to whoever we ran across that needed them.” When they aren’t trucking, the Wards are active in their church in Knoxville. When they can’t get home for services, they like to stop at the truck-stop chapels they come across. They have four children between them, each bringing two to their marriage in 2016. There’s little time for hobbies, but Wes does what he can. “I collect H.O. model trains,” he said, “and every now and then, I pick a little (guitar).” The majority of their time, however, is spent on the road in the Prayerbilt Peterbilt, keeping the family business trucking along.

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — The fifth annual Big G Motorcycle Ride benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was a roaring success with the carrier’s riders and supporters raising $25,000, $15,000 above this year’s goal. Starting in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, kickstands went up at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 30, sending the 148 registered motorcycle riders approximately 75 miles to Monteagle, Tennessee, where the fundraiser auction was held at Jim Oliver’s Smokehouse Restaurant. The weather and atmosphere were ideal for the event, according to Karla Butler, manager of driver recruiting and driver services for Big G. “Everyone should do this. Put it on your bucket list,” she said. “It was very powerful — the roar of the motorcycles. Everyone came together as a family.” All proceeds from the event go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help the hospital continue to lead the way in how the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. “It was like a big family reunion,” said Deanna Phelps, vice president for Big G. “Everyone was relaxed and happy to support the kids at St Jude’s. [It was an] absolutely wonderful day.” Tim Chelette, a professional driver and fundraiser organizer for Big G, said he was overwhelmed by the turnout and donations. “If you were there, you know you really enjoyed your ride. We had a blast,” Chelette said. “It was awesome to see you all coming in, showing up and showing out. Last year we raised $14,628; this year it was $25,000. Can you believe that? You brought your money, you brought your time, and donated to a great cause. St. Jude Children’s Hospital really does appreciate it. I and Big G really does appreciate it. We can’t do this without you.” Chelette stated via Facebook that the date for the 2021 ride will be announced in October or November.

PARAGOULD, Ark. — How do an assistant instructor at a regional college and a phlebotomist at a local medical center spend their lives once the kids are grown? If they’re Kevin and Candice Rawls of Paragould, Arkansas, they go to school together to get their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs); then hit the road as team truck drivers. “Once the kids were grown, we thought trucking would give us a way to travel together and put away some money,” Candice said. “Back home, she always drove small cars,” Kevin said. “But since she started driving a big truck, we had to buy a Suburban.” When they’re at work as owner-operators, the couple drives a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia 126 with an automatic-shift transmission and a Detroit engine that pulls 505 horsepower. Buying the Cascadia was an easy choice, since the team began their trucking career driving a Freightliner for MC Express in Jonesboro, Arkansas. “We’ve been teaming together for three years and decided it’s time to go into business for ourselves,” Kevin explained. “While we were company drivers, we saved up for the down payment on this truck,” Candice added. “We paid off everything we could so we would have minimal expenses,” Kevin said. “We’re even paying extra on the house.” The Rawls’ Cascadia is a “golden amber” color, “sort of a metallic orange,” according to Candice. The longer wheelbase improves the ride, Kevin said, adding that it also allowed the couple to mount a storage box on the catwalk behind the sleeper. They chose Florida-based Landstar Systems to lease their equipment to, and both say they have been satisfied so far. Being together on the road comes naturally to the Rawls, who have been a couple since their youth. “We’ve been together since we were 16 at Greene County Tech High School,” Candice shared. “We were married at 20, and we’ve been married 31 years now.” “We like to stay out for about a month at a time, and then we’ll go home for a week or so,” Kevin said. “It seems like when you go home, it’s hard to get back into the routine once you leave.” The company lets the pair choose their loads from a load board available to other Landstar Business Capacity Owners (BCOs). Some loads are from Landstar customers while others may be brokered by Landstar agents, but the loads must be selected from Landstar offerings. Because the couple runs hard and stays out so many days at a time, available driving hours can become a problem. Kevin and Candice often choose to manage their hours and keep rolling rather than stop for a 34-hour restart. “Landstar lets us pick from both team and solo loads, so we can keep the truck rolling — but we can take a solo load if we need a break or we’re getting close on hours,” Kevin said. While the timing could have been better for the Rawls to become owner-operators (they took delivery of their truck just as freight rates began dropping in early April), by watching their spending and being selective of the loads they accept, they’ve been able to make a go of it. “Some rates were unbelievable, around 90 cents a mile, and even one in the 70s, but we’ve been able to find enough decent loads to keep going,” Candice said. Kevin added, “At this point, the rates are doing it for us.” The couple said they prefer running to the West and Northwest parts of the U.S. because of the good roads, longer trips and better traffic. The East Coast presents some challenges they prefer to avoid. “It’s hard to find a parking place if you want to use the bathroom,” Candice said. “That’s important for women. I’d rather drive in LA than up the East Coast.” The couple works in 12-hour shifts: Kevin starts at 3 a.m. and Candice takes over at 3 p.m. “I drive at night and he drives during the day,” Candice explained. “We each see some day and some night.” Kevin noted that Landstar is “big on safety.” Candice added that taking your time as a driver can help to prevent accidents. “Take your time maneuvering and get out and look when you need to,” Candice said. “When you don’t take time, you increase the chance of something happening.” The couple saves money by eating most of their meals in the truck. “We don’t do any big-time cooking in the truck,” said Candice, who makes use of their freezer. “We buy a lot of Healthy Choice prepared meals. We have a toaster oven and a microwave, of course.” When the couple is home, they relish visiting their grandson and reuniting with their dog, which they leave in the care of a daughter when they go on the road, due to the dog’s age. Kevin likes to hunt deer when he gets the chance, as he did during a dream trip last year. “Me and my son and my dad went to Colorado to hunt mule deer,” he said. “We hunt whitetail back home.” When home time is over, however, the Rawls are back to business. At home or on the road, Candice and Kevin approach life and work as a team — together.

Bud Hunter can’t remember a time when trucking wasn’t part of his life. “Ever since I was born, I was always around trucks,” the Joplin, Missouri-based driver said. Hunter grew up around trucks for good reason: The occupation runs in the family. “My dad was a truck driver. I went with my dad every chance I got,” he said, adding that he wasn’t simply tagging along for the ride. “Little did I know, the whole time I rode, he was teaching me the business,” Hunter said. “He’d always tell me to pull out the road map and tell him how far it was from this point to that point. Doing things like that helped me learn without realizing it.” Hunter laments the fact that many young drivers he runs into today can’t read a map. “My dad would also hand me his logbook,” he said. “He’d write in what he needed to, but he’d have me connect the lines.” Hunter took what he learned from his dad and eventually opened a trucking company of his own. “At one point I had 30 trucks and more trailers,” he said. “Today, I’ve downsized to three trucks, and two of those are for sale.” In the early 1990s, Hunter ran into a dispatcher who worked for a company that leased its trucks to entertainers. “They needed more trucks, so I started leasing some of mine to them,” Hunter said. Before long, he was hauling entertainers’ equipment himself. Hunter said he’s worked with more recording artists than he can remember but that most of his work has been with country music performers. “Deana Carter, Ricochet, John Michael Montgomery,” he said, listing just a few. “But my main deal was with Randy Travis.” Hunter drove for Travis for more than 15 years, until the Country Music Hall of Fame member suffered a stroke in 2013. “I think we were going to Deadwood, South Dakota,” Hunter said. “I was about to leave the house. The trailer was loaded, and we were planning to leave at 7 a.m. But about an hour before we left, I got a call that Randy wasn’t feeling well. “That’s the downside of working for entertainers, I guess,” he continued. “You develop great relationships with these folks, but it can quickly come to an end. Randy [Travis] is one of the greatest guys I’ve worked for. I love the man dearly.” Fortunately for Hunter’s business, there is usually an entertainer in need of a truck driver. “I do a lot of stuff on my own, but I’ve worked a lot for one of my heroes, Charlie Daniels,” he said. “He does a lot of charity work and is just a super person.” While Hunter regularly drives for his “old staples,” including Charlie Daniels, the Oak Ridge Boys and more, he also occasionally signs on for a music superstar that transcends genres. “Last year, I drove for Michael Bublé,” he said. “He had 20 trucks. And I’ve been talking to another performer who will have 40 trucks on tour.” That’s a lot of equipment to be hauled. But even 40 trucks may not be enough in an era when concertgoers have come to expect laser light shows and hydraulic stages. “I’ve heard of some entertainers who have a hundred trucks on tour,” Hunter said. When driving for high-profile celebrities, drivers sometimes travel incognito, or they might pull visible trailers promoting the performers. “When I drove for Randy [Travis], we had vinyl wraps on the trailer with picture of him and maybe the album he was promoting,” Hunter said. “Other performers don’t want a $10,000 wrap. With a group like the Oak Ridge Boys, I’ve had their logo on the side of the truck and back of the trailer.” Hunter said entertainment drivers need to remember that when pulling into a truck stop, they are representing the performer. Performers treat drivers well and consider them vital to a successful tour. Hunter knows he has a standard to uphold beyond himself. “There’s probably been a difference — and I don’t mean it in a bad way — when I compare myself to other drivers or when I’ve hauled typical freight,” Hunter said. “You have to keep yourself clean and wear decent clothes. When you are working for the best, you have to realize they are playing before huge crowds because they are the best. You have to do your best to represent them,” he continued. “When you’re out there at a truck stop, people don’t see you as a person but as a reflection of the artist you work for,” he said. Of course, rabid fans will go to great lengths to get close to someone who is close to a performer they faithfully support. “When I had the wrap for Randy Travis … oh my gosh!” Hunter said. “People would chase me into the bathroom and talk to me like I was him.” Hunter recalls one time when he left a truck stop and could see lights all around him. “I’m thinking, ‘What have I done?’” he said. “It turned out the lights were flashes from the cameras and phones of about 15 people taking photos of the truck.” And the photos don’t stop when Hunter leaves a truck stop. “I’ve gone around curves at night, and in my mirror I’ll see red lights,” he said. “I figured out it was cars behind me holding up their phones and taking pictures.” Another difference about driving for entertainers compared to hauling standard freight is the pay and other bonuses that come along with the job. “Maybe the pay is better,” Hunter said. “If you talk to a driver who gets so much per mile and tell him how I’m paid, he’ll turn around without really understanding. You might say entertainment drivers get a daily rate, but there’s a purpose for that.” Meals and drinks are furnished, he said, and there are other savings typical OTR drivers don’t receive. Hunter said the entertainment business never slows down in normal times. When one performer takes a break after a six-week tour, Hunter switches trailers and heads back out on the road with another entertainer. That’s another major difference between typical OTR drivers and those who drive for entertainers. “A few years ago, I remember I was home 20 days out of the whole year,” Hunter said. If Hunter is a reflection of the artists he works for, a schedule like that proves he has a high standard to uphold. And he has been doing just that for 30 years.

THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. has recognized Harold Hyde, a Nashville, Tennessee, pickup and delivery driver, with the esteemed 2020 John Yowell OD Family Spirit Award. Hyde received the annual service recognition for his remarkable courage, heroism and selfless dedication to others. In August 2019, Hyde was driving on McCrory Lane in Davidson County (Tennessee) while en route to a customer delivery when he noticed cars swerving to miss an object in the road. As he approached, he realized the object in the road was a 4-year-old boy. Without hesitation, Hyde immediately pulled his Old Dominion tractor-trailer across both lanes of traffic to barricade the street and jumped out of his truck. The boy, who was autistic and nonverbal, had unlocked managed to unlock the front door of his home and had wandered into the road. Another good Samaritan who stopped to assist Hyde called the police, and the boy was safely returned home to his family. “I am humbled to be recognized with the John Yowell award,” Hyde said. “It’s inspiring to be associated with the legacy of Mr. Yowell and past recipients of the award. My job allows me to interact with the great people of Nashville and beyond, and I will continue to strive for excellence in my work while serving my community. I’m just thankful for the chance to do something positive for someone else.” Old Dominion created the award in 2011 following the untimely death of former executive vice president and chief operating officer, John Yowell. Yowell epitomized a family culture, which serves as a key operating philosophy for the leading less-than-truckload carrier. The “OD Family Spirit” award is given to an employee who showcases an unabashed devotion to helping others. Employees nominate peers who demonstrate care and excellence in their day-to-day lives. The winner is then ultimately selected from Old Dominion’s 20,000 employees based on these nominations. Hyde, who has been a pickup and delivery drivere for Old Dominion since 2007, was presented the award for his unprecedented actions, which embody the OD Family Spirit through his heroic acts of service, kind-hearted deeds and drive for helping others. To add to the list of his inspiring good deeds, Hyde helped another stranger in September 2019. On this occasion, Hyde was driving his local route, making customer deliveries, when he saw an overturned SUV with a pregnant woman trapped inside. Hyde rushed to rescue the woman from the vehicle before first responders could arrive. “Harold’s continued commitment to going above and beyond for his community and Old Dominion customers naturally sets him apart,” said Greg Gantt, president and CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line. “His uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time and humble heroism make him the true picture of a John Yowell OD Family Spirit Award winner.” As part of the recognition, Hyde received $1,000 to donate to a charity of his choice. He selected the True Joy Community Program, an organization that provides healthy meals and snacks to children in low-income areas in an effort to decrease hunger and obesity and to promote health and nutrition.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In recent months, truck drivers have once again earned the title of “knights of the highway,” ensuring that supplies reach their intended destination in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic. For one Missouri-based nonprofit, that goal of helping others in times of crisis has never wavered. A faith-based organization that distributes food and relief supplies, Convoy of Hope has partnerships with large food corporations, allowing the group to provide aid through several different programs. While the convoy has offered much-needed assistance during the COVID-19 crisis, members of the group usually help with disaster relief to communities that have been affected by hurricanes or tornadoes. In addition, the nonprofit has a rural initiative, working with local communities and nonprofits, as well as church and other faith-based communities. Mike Coble, safety and compliance manager for Convoy of Hope, said the group’s workload has increased quite bit in recent months due to COVID-19. Churches and organizations have reached out to the organization, asking for trailer loads of supplies to be used for drive-thru distribution. “Church volunteers wear masks and gloves and load bags of groceries … ” Coble said. “That is happening at the churches all across the country.” He said the organization also has international feeding initiatives with countries around the world. Currently the COVID-19 pandemic is the convoy’s only active disaster outreach, but Coble said the organization is prepped and ready to assist in case of additional crises. “I know hurricane season is coming up, and that’s always a big deal for us during that time,” he said. Coble said the organization purchased six trucks late in 2019 and early this year, and there are two more on back order. He added that the group has strong relationships with Peterbilt, Kenworth and Freightliner. In a press release, Convoy of Hope said four Kenworth T680s with 76-inch sleepers were purchased. “Our trucks are provided by donors all across the country,” Coble said. “As soon as the trucks came on the lot, they were sent right back on the road. “A lot of the manufacturers have shut down, and we were lucky enough to purchase those (trucks) in advance and far enough out that they arrived when we needed them,” he continued. “We wouldn’t have been able to receive those trucks later.” The organization operates 19 tractor-trailers, and Coble said they also have a host of DOT-regulated vehicles, box trucks, goose-neck trailers and Ford F-250 pickups. “We ramped up the number of miles we serve and the number of volunteer drivers during this time,” Coble said. The organization started out with a campaign of providing 10 million meals, Coble said, adding that two weeks ago that number was completed. He decided the group decided “just to keep going to help as many people as we can for as long as we can.” “Most of everything we do comes from individual donors or organization partners like churches, or corporation partnerships such as Hormel and Home Depot,” he said. “The majority of our truck drivers are volunteer truck drivers, and many of them are retired. We want to use their unique skills to give back.” Coble said the hardest challenge is ramping quickly enough to serve when needed. “In fact, we were laughing amongst ourselves (that) as soon as one of the trucks come into the ramp, we have to get everything set up and ready to go and sent it out the same day,” he said. “We put the supplies in the truck, such as oil, antifreeze or any tools needed. As soon as it is ready and legal, the trucks are on the road.” Coble said he feels very blessed that Convoy of Hope has such a wide reach. He said there were some concerns early on that they wouldn’t be able to fulfill the need but that donors have filled the gap. “We have strong long-term partnerships, and we have been an organization for over 25 years. We really haven’t seen a drop in distribution of significance yet,” he said. “We always want to be a helper on the local scene,” he said. “We want to come into town, into a faith-based community, when churches or other organization reach out to us and help meet the needs of the community.” Coble said it all boils down to supporters who believe in the mission. “We have long-standing relationships with donors in the faith-based community and companies who are standing alongside us because they know we help people,” he said. “It is donors across the board. We are asking for funds because of the COVID-19 relief.” To learn more, visit convoyofhope.org.

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — On May 30, 2020, Big G Express will hold its fifth annual Big G Motorcycle Ride benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This fundraiser will help St. Jude continue to lead the way in how the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. “This cause is very important to us at Big G,” said Tim Chelette, driver and fundraiser organizer with Big G Express. “It’s our fifth year getting to do this – the first four years we raised more than $31,000 for the cause and it has been fantastic! I know people have been cooped up in their houses and are getting excited, wanting to get their knees in the breeze. We’re looking forward to another great ride this year for a great cause.” Big G has a goal of raising $10,000 on this year’s ride which begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. on May 30, then kickstands up at 9:00 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided. The ride is approximately 75 miles starting at 193 Aldi Blvd. in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and ending at Jim Oliver’s Smokehouse Restaurant, 850 W. Main St. in Monteagle, Tenn.  At the restaurant, all riders will be included in door prize drawings and the fundraiser auction will be held. The Big G Motorcycle Ride donations can be made directly to St. Jude here. Anyone who would like to donate items for the auction should contact Tim Chelette (615-308-7502; [email protected]) or Deanna Phelps (931-680-3165; [email protected]). All proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The term good Samaritan is often used to describe a person who does good deeds out of compassion, not because of any hope of reward. Stephen Dixon could easily be considered a good Samaritan. He enjoys helping others, and his deeds were certainly noticed when he was named 2019 Driver of the Year by National Carriers Inc. (NCI), largely because of his willingness to go out of his way to help fellow drivers. At the end of the day, NCI officials said, it’s Dixon’s attitude of service that pushed him to the forefront among fellow drivers, and it’s a key reason he received NCI’s highest honor. He was chosen from among the carrier’s 12 driver-of-the-month winners in 2019. “I enjoy the camaraderie with the other drivers, and I share a little bit of my knowledge,” said Dixon, who leases his truck from NCI Truck Leasing. “Yesterday a man from another carrier who was in only his second day on the road came up to me and said, ‘I don’t know anything about these reefers and I need to get the temperature set at minus 10 degrees,’” he explained. The driver, who worked for a Florida carrier, told Dixon that even though he was setting the temperature correctly, the reefer was immediately reverting to the previous temperature. “He didn’t understand that you had to program the reefer unit to stay at minus 10,” Dixon said. “So, I showed him how to drop the reefer to a minus 10, push the OK button and let the reefer know this is where (he’s) programming it to stay.” The bottom line, Dixon said, is that he just likes to help. “I see drivers get in tight spots, such as backing in,” he said. “They get sort of nervous and tense in such situations, and I try to do all I can to help calm them by getting them to relax.” In doing so, Dixon said he hopes the drivers he helps will pass it on and help other truckers. NCI spokesman, Ed Kentner, commented further on Dixon’s vital service. “Dixon has made himself invaluable in delivering loads from our beef-processing customers in southwest Kansas to the boroughs of New York City,” Kentner said. “He’s learned the area, and he now helps other drivers heading to Hunts Point meat market and other delivery points.” Dixon said COVID-19 hasn’t impacted his routine other than the fact that he is hauling beef, a commodity that, according to published reports, is going to be in short supply in the near future. “In so many words, safety for all the truckers at National Carriers and around the industry is, and should be, a top priority,” he said. “My work has stayed consistent even as we adjust to the new environment of wearing masks and washing hands more often and covering our coughs and sneezes consistently. National Carriers have provided all their drivers with items to stay safe and healthy throughout this pandemic.” Dixon said he’s available 24 hours a day if needed to help. “I’ve helped guys when they call me late at night trying to get into the Bronx, Long Island or Queens,” he said. “I give them directions on how to get to their destination, and after I help them, I tell them, ‘Now next time someone calls, you can help them.’” Kentner said Dixon’s “attitude of service” is the factor that pushed him to the front of the line for the Driver of the Year recognition. “He didn’t become No. 1 by looking out for No. 1, but rather by serving the interests of his customers and fellow drivers,” Kentner said. Dixon said he was elated when he learned he had been named Driver of the Year, adding that he was just doing his job. “I try to always give 110%. If you need my help, I’m going to give you my help,” is Dixon’s attitude toward work — and life in general. “I try to watch my Ps and Qs and help other drivers,” he said. “I help the driver managers out when they call me and say, ‘Hey Steve, I have a driver who can’t take a load. Can you help me out?’ I try to help them out. I try to help everybody out, so when I was named winner of the award, I felt my hard work was being recognized.” Born in Jacksonville, Florida, the soon-to-be 59-year-old Dixon grew up as “a military brat,” living in Washington, Texas, Florida and Georgia just to name a few states. After he graduated high school in Columbus, Georgia, he joined the Marines in 1980 and served six years. Once out of the Marines, Dixon found a job as a truck driver hauling heavy construction equipment. Eventually he ended up in a desk job, which didn’t suit his taste, so he asked to go back on the road. “I wanted to branch out and see more of the United States,” he said. Over the years, Dixon drove for several notable carriers, but eventually he decided it was time for a change. He called NCI, and said he liked what he heard. “Talk to some of our drivers,” the NCI recruiter told him. “I did and I liked what I heard. I called the recruiter and said, ‘I’m ready to come over,’” Dixon said. “The drivers all talked about how well the company treated you and how NCI showed a lot of respect for the drivers by listening to them,” he said. “They said if the company told you something, you could take it to the bank.” Furthermore, Dixon liked what he heard from Richard Reese, who was president of NCI at the time. “He really laid it on the line and told us that if NCI’s driver managers put you in a position that you don’t like, ‘Let me know and I’ll make sure we get it taken care of.’ It’s very warm and friendly here,” Dixon said. Current NCI President Jim Franck called Dixon a “truly deserving” winner of the Driver of the Year award. “He’s consistently excellent across the board — in safety, customer service, productivity, and willingness to help get a troubled load delivered,” Franck said. So if you’re out there on the road and need help, look for a blue tractor-trailer driven by a smiling, jolly driver with a salt-and-pepper beard. It just might be Stephen Dixon.