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Spotlight on Success

Spotlight On Success: Jean and David Cryer

August 23, 2023

When you see someone that is living a full and adventurous life, you have to take a moment to pause and soak in a little of their wisdom and their experience. For Jean and David Cryer, adventure has been part of their lives over the course of their 32-year marriage. Running their own business within the Panther Lease Purchase Program Powered by ES, just happens to be the most recent chapter.

Jean and David Cryer

Spotlight On Success: Jean and David Cryer

Time in the Trucking Industry: 3 years

Year they Joined ES: 2023

ES Community Carrier: Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest)

Service Coordinator: Patrick Bertrand

Fun Facts: Jean and David have 6 children, including a set of triplets.

Like many of the owner-operators and fleet owners within the ES community, a career in trucking had never crossed their minds. David, a Marine Corps veteran, worked in aviation, retiring in 2016, while Jean raised and homeschooled their six children. It was an unlikely push from one of their daughters that got them to take a hard look at trucking.

Even then the jump didn’t happen immediately. Like everything in their lives, they wanted to make sure that they had “good solid numbers and less risk,” a combination that isn’t always easy to find as a company driver, according to Jean.

After obtaining their CDL and running for three years during the pandemic as company drivers, they took a short sabbatical. While they look fondly on their time as company drivers, they knew that driving for another company wasn’t in the cards, so Jean started looking into being an owner-operator.

During our conversation, she made it clear that weighing all the information and requirements was “overwhelming” at first. It wasn’t until she found Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest) and they pointed her to ES that everything started to fall into place.

While there is always risk in starting your own business, Jean and David recognized that ES could help fill in the gaps as they started this new chapter of their lives. Both light up when anyone mentions ES, because to the Cryers “ES is more than a financier, but also someone we hire to take care of our business.”

In their short time with ES, their business has flourished, and become a family affair. While they run the freight, their daughter serves as an accountant, and their son is already looking forward to joining the family business. For the Cryers the future is bright, and we are excited to be part of their story.

We are proud to have Jean and David Cryer as part of the ES Community and are delighted to continue supporting them in their Success in Trucking.

Jean & David Cryer

In this edition of the Success In Trucking Podcast, we get to know Jean and David Cryer. You’ll hear how they found the trucking industry through a suggestion by their daughter. You’ll also hear how they became a part of the ES Community by discovering the opportunities available through the non-traditional lease-purchase program from ES and Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest).

If you’re inspired by Jean and David’s story and want to grow your trucking business, contact the ES team or call (877) 349-9303, option 4 and let us help support your company with expertise in financial services and technology, relationship lending, and general business support.

Spotlight On Success: DeShawn Henry and Russell Jones

May 23, 2023

“More control and less stress” probably aren’t the first two things that come to mind when someone mentions becoming a first-time owner-operator. However, for DeShawn Henry and Russell Jones, these were the catalysts that have pushed them from day one.

Their story, like so many within the ES community, is one of perseverance and they are proof that you don’t have to have decades of driving experience to be successful as an owner-operator or fleet owner. With the right mindset and a great support system, anyone can flourish.

Spotlight On Success: DeShawn Henry and Russell Jones

Time in the Trucking Industry: Russell 4 years; DeShawn 3 years

Year they Joined ES: 2021

ES Community Carrier: FedEx Custom Critical

Service Coordinator: Patrick Bertrand

Fun Facts: Both DeShawn and Russell became owner-operators after 20+ years in industries outside of trucking.

Some are born into the trucking industry, and others find their place behind the wheel after decades in other industries. For DeShawn it was the medical field, and for Russell, it was managing large teams at Fortune 500 companies.

While these might not be the typical starting points for owner-operators, the knowledge and experience they gained in their respective fields have been invaluable as they launched their business in trucking. As COVID-19 ramped up, both saw the need for a career change that would allow them to maintain control while also reducing stress. The road was calling and they were ready to run.

After spending a couple of years as company drivers, they were introduced to the ES Path To Ownership™ program by a trusted friend. DeShawn describes it as the feeling of “family” when they walked through the door. They knew that having a support system in place as they got started was essential, and for them the choice to join the ES community “just felt right.”

18 months later, they are well on their way to growing their fleet as a shining example of how anything is possible when you have the right tools and a great attitude.

In our most recent Spotlight On Success, DeShawn and Rusell share their story and experience and show that the path to success can take many different roads.

If you’re interested in learning more about DeShawn & Russell’s story, they will be on-site at the Expedite Expo July 21st-22nd with the ES Team at Booth 418 as well as sharing their story at the Trucking 101 workshop at the Expo. Register today for the Expedite Expo and the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo hosted by ES to discover new career opportunities, make valuable connections, and hear from some of the brightest minds in the industry as well as people like DeShawn & Russell who are part of the ES Community.

We are proud to have DeShawn and Russell as part of the ES Community and are delighted to continue supporting them in their Success in Trucking.

DeShawn Henry and Russell Jones

This Spotlight On Success shines on DeShawn Henry and Russell Jones. In this most recent episode, you will hear how there are many roads that can lead someone to a successful career as an owner-operator.

If you’re inspired by DeShawn and Russell’s story and want to grow your trucking business, contact the ES team or call (877) 349-9303, option 4 and let us help support your company with expertise in financial services and technology, relationship lending, and general business support.

Spotlight On Success: Jennifer and Marcus Collier

March 28, 2023

Commitment and consistency, two hallmarks of marriage, are also keys to becoming both a team driver and an owner-operator. Commitment and consistency are also two of the first words that came to mind when we were talking with Jennifer and Marcus Collier about how they met, teamed up, eventually married, and finally found their way into the ES community through Forward Air.

Jennifer and Marcus Collier

Jennifer and Marcus Collier

Year they Joined ES: 2022

ES Community Carrier: Forward Air

Service Coordinator: David Neese

Fun Facts: The Collier family consists of 3 girls, 4 boys, and an incredible support network.

The Collier’s commitment to each other is a perfect reflection of their ability to work together day in and day out, helping one another through the good days and the bad. The similarities between teaming and being married are not lost on Jennifer, who believes that “team driving is marriage.”

After spending time driving for an owner operator, the Colliers decided to rejoin Forward Air in March 2022, and make the jump into ownership with Expediter Services. Their goal was simple – to find stability and consistency for their blended family of nine.

For the Colliers, the Path To Ownership was an easy decision. They knew that if they had the right support system, a dedicated route, and a carrier that had their back, they could make it work, no matter the challenges on the road ahead.

As you will hear in our most recent Spotlight On Success, the Colliers regard their decision to join the ES family as “the best decision we have ever made…besides marriage.” 

We are proud to have Jennifer and Marcus Collier as part of the ES Community and are delighted to continue supporting them in their Success in Trucking.

Jennifer and Marcus Collier

Our Spotlight On Success shines on Jennifer and Marcus Collier. In this most recent episode, you will hear the Collier’s story of commitment and consistency in both marriage and business, and how both have flourished as a part of the ES Community.

If you’re inspired by the Collier’s story and want to grow your trucking business, contact the ES team or call (877) 349-9303, option 4 and let us help support your company with expertise in financial services and technology, relationship lending, and general business support.

Spotlight On Success: Cheryl and Andrew Anderson

March 1, 2023

Attitude, aptitude, and work ethic are cornerstones of the ES Community, and they are the pillars that Cheryl and Andrew Anderson have built their trucking company upon. The Andersons are proof that having a solid foundation for your business, a little know-how, and a strong support system can LIFT you up for success.

Cheryl and Andrew Anderson

Time in the Trucking Industry: 11 Years

Year they Joined ES: 2022

ES Community Carrier: Forward Air

Service Coordinator: David Neese

Fun Facts: The Andersons have always homeschooled their children, and it was their sons that helped give Cheryl the nudge to get her CDL and join Andrew on the road.

In many ways, the story of the Anderson’s, who run MMOB Trucking LLC, is like many husband and wife teams in the industry. After years spent in agribusiness, they were ready for a change, and wanted something that would provide the freedom to build their own business and leave a legacy for their children. The road was calling and the Andersons were ready for the challenge.

After gaining experience as a company driver, and trainer, Cheryl joined Andrew in the truck. The opportunity to get out of a cubicle and build their business their way was a driving factor in choosing to join the ES Community. The Anderson’s vision and experience eventually led them to the Women Owned Business Initiative at ES a year ago and the rest, as they say, was history.

The Andersons describe their start in the Path to Ownership program as “nerve wracking,” but they knew what they brought to the table and knew that they could make it work with the right support system in place. Backed by Cheryl’s experience in finance and marketing, they have  branded their business and built their reputation, serving as the captains of their own ship.

As you will hear in our most recent Spotlight On Success, the road hasn’t always been easy for the Andersons, but their positive attitude and a helping hand from the ES Community have allowed them to forge a path and build their legacy.

We are proud to have Cheryl and Andrew as part of the ES Community and are delighted to continue supporting them in their Success in Trucking.

Cheryl and Andrew Anderson

This Spotlight On Success shines on Cheryl and Andrew Anderson. In this most recent episode, you will hear the Anderson’s story and how they became the captains of their own ship through hard work and a little help from the ES Community.

Spotlight On Success: Michelle & Gary Piatt Find A Home In The ES Community

February 13, 2023

Editor’s Note: ES is launching Spotlight On Success, a monthly series that will be spotlighting ES Community members and their Success In Trucking stories.

As they began to examine options that would move them closer to family, Michelle and Gary Piatt discovered not only a place to call home, but a true community with the kind of support they had never experienced during their time in the trucking industry. In many ways, the story of how Michelle and Gary found their way to the ES Community speaks volumes on how the team at ES treats ES Community members like part of an extended family.

Michelle and Gary Piatt

Time In The Trucking Industry: 18 years

Year They Joined The ES Community: 2011

ES Community Carrier: FedEx Custom Critical

Service Coordinator At ES: David Neese

Fun Facts: Gary and Michelle have referred so many professional drivers to ES without asking for credit for the referral that one of the ES Recruiters handed Gary a set of referral cards a few years ago with his information printed on them.

A little more than a decade ago, the Piatts began planning a move to West Tennessee, which would place them closer to Michelle’s family. Both Michelle and Gary had built up solid resumes as company drivers – with Gary getting his start in trucking after a career as a police officer and Michelle following his lead into the trucking industry.

The Piatts gained the bulk of their experience as over-the-road team drivers for truckload carriers. A few years into the demands of that life, Michelle needed a break from the road and got a position at a hospital. Gary shifted to a trucking opportunity that kept him close to home while they considered what would be next in their lives.

One of the key considerations in making the move to West Tennessee was making sure that Michelle and Gary had a way to support themselves. As they explored the possibilities, they learned about the expedited trucking opportunities through FedEx Custom Critical. Once they got connected with FedEx Custom Critical in 2011, they were then introduced to the team at ES.

As you’ll hear in this Spotlight On Success edition of the Success In Trucking Podcast, Michelle and Gary discovered during their very first load assignment how the entire team at ES lives up to the company motto of Never Stand Alone. The response from the ES Team on that day set the tone for the relationships that Michelle and Gary built inside the ES Community going forward. No matter what might come up as a bump in the road, the Piatts quickly learned that they could trust the team at ES to be at their side and stand with them on every mile of their journey.

Now entering their 12th year as part of the ES Community and driving as part of the FedEx Custom Critical fleet, the Piatts know the move they made to West Tennessee gave them a better home for their family and their careers.

We are proud to have Michelle and Gary as part of the ES Community and are delighted to continue supporting them in their Success in Trucking.

Meet Michelle and Gary Piatt

This Spotlight On Success shines on Michelle and Gary Piatt. In this edition of the Success In Trucking Podcast, you’ll hear the story of the Piatts and how they have worked to build a better life for themselves and their family as part of the ES Community.

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