HOW DID YOU GET INTO TRUCK DRIVING?

When I was 12 years old, my brother-in-law worked in the trucking department at a manufacturing plant. He hired me to help fuel trucks. Over a weekend I would back up and park around 300 trucks and earn $50. While I was working there, I used to listen to the truck drivers tell stories about life on the road and it made a big impression on me. When I was 16, I started working in the pit learning about diesel mechanics. Later, after a few years at college on a baseball scholarship, I served in the Marine Corps. When I got out, I went to work as a mortician for a little over 3 years, working on 750 cases a year. One day I just said, ‘Enough’s enough!’ and went for a road trip back home. I saw the old truck that I used to drive and decided to become a truck driver. My brother-in-law helped me get my CDL.

WHAT KIND OF TRUCKING EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD?

In the 20 years that I’ve been a trucker, I’ve had a variety of jobs. I worked local, driving for a Ready-Mix company for a while and did oversize hauling for a while. I’ve been over the road with several different companies. One company had me being gone for six months at a time. It was a lot different then.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO ACT?

I lived down the street from a guy who drove for ACT and I used to see his truck all the time. One day I was talking to him and he told me that ACT is a really good company and said they were always fair with him. So, I went to talk to them and decided to go with ACT. I went out with a trainer at first and then got my own truck. I’ve been with ACT ever since.

HOW’S IT GOING NOW?

I do very well over here. Seriously! They treat me really well and I have no complaints on how my pay is or where I run. I try to always do the best job I can every day. Everything here is very good. They don’t set you up to fail like some company’s do. They are very driver oriented and they want you to be able to live and have a life in addition to your driving. I could be home every two weeks if I wanted to, but I like to stay out longer and run. I usually stay out a month and a half and then go home for a week. That’s just how I like it.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL OTHER DRIVERS ABOUT THIS COMPANY?

Our trailers say it all, ‘Respect, Integrity, Safety’. They play by the rules and they’re good to their people. There’s nothing illegal or unsafe. If you don’t have hours or if your truck is unsafe, you don’t run. And they have an excellent road service program. They treat me really well over here and they work with your schedule. They do a terrific job by me. I plan to stay here till I retire.