The inaugural SITE was such a success, we’re doing it again in 2020!
The SITE is a truly unique trucking event that’s unlike any other gathering in transportation — and next year’s Success In Trucking Expo 2020 will continue and expand upon opportunities to help drivers become owners, owners become fleet owners, and fleet owners expand their fleets. Proving once again that with the opportunities offered by ES: If you can drive a truck, you can own the truck!
Building upon the success of last year’s SITE, Stoops Freightliner will once again be our Title Sponsor. The ES community will feature a gathering of top motor carriers including: Panther Premium Logistics, Forward Air and FedEx Custom Critical. In addition, our roster of vendors, guest speakers and ES team members will be on hand to answer questions and get to know you on a personal level, so you Never Stand Alone.
“In 2019, we worked diligently to develop the Success In Trucking Expo into an event that would be meaningful and have a positive impact for professional drivers interested in ownership, as well as current owner-operators and fleet owners who are looking to grow their businesses. We’re looking forward to continuing this success at the 2020 SITE,” said ES President Jason Williams.
MORE ABOUT THE SITE
• TheSITE (Success in Trucking Expo) 2020 takes place June 5 – 6 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest permanent sport facility in the world. At the SITE, your dreams of truck ownership can become a reality.
• Join us for food and fellowship! We look forward to dining with you and getting to know you better as we eat together with meals provided by the Success In Trucking Expo. Our wonderful venue located at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway will overlook a selection of new trucks for you to review and test drive.
We’re excited about the SITE 2020 and hope to see you there!
If you have questions or if you’d like to register now, please contact our team at 877-349-9303.
Stay tuned! We will be posting more details about the SITE 2020 as more information becomes available.
You Don’t Have to Wait for the SITE to buy a truck. It’s What We Do Everyday!
The Success In Trucking Expo Returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in June for SITE 2020
Following a strong opening in 2019 as one of the most impactful events within the trucking industry, the Success In Trucking Expo (SITE) presented by ES will be returning in June to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Complex. The SITE 2020 takes place June 5-6.
Through the efforts of ES, the participating carriers, sponsors and vendors, the SITE features an atmosphere and structure that stands out as unique when compared to the traditional truck shows currently on the calendar. The SITE, as evidenced by the inaugural event in 2019, is a much more personal, hands-on event. The focus of the SITE 2020 will once again be placed upon connecting with professional drivers who are looking to take the next step in their careers and become truck owners. The SITE is also designed to help address the needs of contract drivers, owner-operators and fleet owners.
“The response from everyone who attended the first edition of the SITE in 2019 and the response that ES and our participating carriers have seen in the months since the event made a compelling case to hold the SITE 2020,” said ES Chief Operating Officer Jeff Tacker. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Complex. We are looking forward to being back at the speedway working with our community of participating carriers, vendors and sponsors. We are already working on plans for this year’s event, and it promises to have a greater impact than what we did in our first year.”
Stoops Freightliner-Quality Trailer, a division of Truck Country, will be returning as the title sponsor for the Success In Trucking Expo. ES will make an official announcement with a press release in January that will highlight the participating carriers, sponsors and vendors that will be a part of the SITE 2020.
Those attending the SITE 2020 will have the opportunity to become acquainted with and enjoy the fellowship of the ES Community. Attendees will get a sense of the deep commitment and the comprehensive support provided to ES ownership program participants. The fleets and vendors participating in the SITE program have been hand-picked by ES because of their desire to help the attendees in reaching their goals within the trucking industry.
Who Should Consider Attending The SITE?
Professional drivers who have an interest or desire to become truck owners.
Current owner-operators looking to upgrade or who are considering expanding their operation to become fleet owners.
Fleet owners looking to grow their current fleets in either the Expedited or General Trucking markets.
The program format of SITE 2020, with its speakers, roundtable discussions and chosen topics, will be designed to share the industry knowledge and the practical experience to benefit the attendees as they look to build, upgrade and expand their businesses.
The 150 Business Challenge, the collaborative initiative by ES and the Women In Trucking Association to create 150 women-owned businesses in transportation, will be among the featured programs discussed during the SITE 2020. To date, the 150 Business Challenge is more than halfway toward reaching its initial goal.
Whether or not the next step is taken toward truck ownership, attendees will leave the SITE 2020 with a deeper understanding of what is taking place in the trucking industry and the opportunities available on the road ahead.
Free Hotel Stay For Pre-Qualified Registrants
Once again this year, one of the most unique features about the SITE 2020 is that ES is offering free hotel accommodations for a select group of pre-qualified Expo registrants. There are a limited number free hotel slots available for the event, and ES recommends that anyone interested in attending the SITE complete the online registration form. Attendees receiving a free hotel stay for the SITE will be chosen from the registration submissions received by ES. You can go directly to the SITE registration form by clicking here.
Considering the growth in the number of women participating in the truck ownership and support programs offered through ES during the past several years, it’s quite fitting that Kelly Faller and April Holland can be found in the work spaces that are closest to the front door at the ES Headquarters building just outside of Memphis.
Kelly, who is part of the ES Sales Team, is most often the person visitors to the headquarters first see as she also works in the front-desk reception area for the company. Meanwhile, April, who is the Owner-Operator Program Coordinator at ES, works in the office located a few feet from the spot where Kelly greets everyone walking through the front door. One of the highlights of April’s position with ES is the opportunity to extend an official welcome and complete the paperwork for the newest members of the continually expanding ES Community.
Over the past few years, the number of women starting trucking businesses and utilizing the comprehensive services offered through ES has been steadily rising. In addition to launching and advancing their trucking careers through ES as independent contract drivers, owner-operators and fleet owners, a growing number of women are leveraging the strong network of essential services including industry-leading fuel discounts, maintenance, insurance coverage, business advisory and back office support.
In the latter part of 2017, ES and the Women In Trucking Association announced the 150 Business Challenge, a collaborative initiative between the organizations to create 150 women-owned businesses in transportation. Over the past two years, the 150 Business Challenge has made an impact within the industry. Today, the program stands more than halfway toward achieving its initial goal.
Kelly Faller is the first person people most often see when they visit the ES home office.
The popularity of what ES has to offer aspiring women entrepreneurs within the trucking industry is best reflected in the fact that 38 percent of the owner-operators, independent contract drivers and fleet owners in the ES Community are women. By comparison, the national average for women in the driver’s seat of a truck has been running at seven to eight percent over the past few years. To place a finer point on the reputation that programs from ES are gaining among women either in the industry or thinking about trucking as a career, consider the following: Nearly four out of every 10 members of the ES Community is a woman.
“I joined ES after the company’s first year, and I’ve had the opportunity to see the growth and be a part of it. I really enjoy being able to tell people this is what my company does, and it makes me quite proud to know that ES has become one of the leaders in the trucking industry in providing opportunities for women,” said April. “After all the paperwork is done and someone is out in their new truck for the first time, I’ll try to call them after they have delivered their first load. I’ll ask them how does it feel to become a truck owner, to be running your own business? To hear their reaction and to know I have been a part of that process is one of the most satisfying parts of my job.”
April and Kelly are just part of an accomplished ES office staff that features a group of talented women who are focused on supporting all the members of the ES Community. Unlike April who had previously worked with a moving company, Kelly had no experience in transportation when she joined ES five years ago.
“I came from retail and I knew nothing about the trucking industry when I was hired at ES,” she explained. “It was a total career switch for me, and I love seeing the progression that can happen with people in the ES program. I have seen so many people come to ES as an independent contractor and then get the opportunity to realize their dream to become a truck owner. It’s really something to be involved in handling the paperwork and to see the hard work people put into the program to make a dream come true. I’ve seen the truck ownership opportunities available through ES change lives for both women and men, and it’s always neat to be a part of the big day when someone gets their new truck.”
One of Kelly’s favorite experiences during her time at ES took place in the late Spring this year, just weeks prior to the inaugural edition of the Success In Trucking Expo (SITE). Kelly had watched Angela Bowen progress through the ES Path To Ownership Program. Kelly could see the strong desire that Angela had to become a truck owner. Angela had worked diligently as an independent contractor within the program, positioning herself to have an opportunity to buy her own truck from ES.
“Angela really wanted to become a truck owner, and it was a thrill to see her be able to achieve that dream,” said Kelly. “We were getting ready for the SITE when Angela got her truck. And it was a real special moment for me to see Angela come to the SITE in Indianapolis with her mom. They were both overjoyed that Angela had become a truck owner. What ES does for people interested in this industry is amazing. A lot of people don’t see women as truck drivers or truck owners. I know that I didn’t before I got into the industry and joined ES. More and more women are taking advantage of the opportunities and programs that ES provides, and it’s been fun to see the growth happen.”
During more than a decade of service at ES, April Holland has displayed the ability to wear many hats.
April began her career at ES as a Service Coordinator working directly with the people behind the wheel in the ES Community, serving as a liaison between the carrier utilizing the capacity and the professionals aboard the truck. She was the second Service Coordinator hired by ES, and she eventually oversaw 75 trucks.
When ES expanded its ownership offerings and launched the Path To Ownership Program, the company saw the need to create the Owner-Operator Program Coordinator position. Having joined the company following its first year, April believed there was a strong value for the Owner-Operator Program Coordinator to understand the history of ES and how the company works to support people accessing the programs and services available from ES. April discussed how this type of experience could help the person in the new position with ES Chief Operating Officer Jeff Tacker. The next question Jeff asked of April changed her career path within the company.
“Jeff asked me if I would like to be involved in the program and do that job. I immediately said yes, and it’s been very rewarding for me,” said April. “I like helping people, and ES gave me the opportunity. They trusted me to work with every owner-operator who comes into the program. There is a great family atmosphere at ES. They will take their time in finding the right people for the job. I’ve seen through the years that it doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman. They look for the best person who can do the job. It’s the same way with ownership opportunities. Can you do what it takes to run a successful trucking business? Over the past few years, we have seen a lot of women show that they can step up and operate stable and profitable trucking businesses.”
When April is away from the office and traveling for vacation, she passes part of the time on the trip looking for members of the ES Community working on the road to help to move the American economy one mile at a time. In those moments when she identifies a truck from the ES Community, April immediately begins to think about who is behind the wheel. And with the growth of participation by women in the programs offered through ES, April knows the odds of who she might see driving the truck.
“There’s a pretty good chance that I’ll see a woman in the driver’s seat,” said April. “And when I see any of the women or men we have helped over the years, it gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. I have a lot of respect for all the professional drivers out on the road. I have really enjoyed working with the people in our programs. There’s nothing like the feeling of watching someone find a better life and having the opportunity to help them make the most of their opportunity.”
Part of the accomplished and talented group of women staff members on the ES Office Team take a break in The Hub at the company’s headquarters.
In addition to speaking with April and Kelly for this story, we talked with a few of the women who are part of the staff supporting the members of the ES Community. To feature their observations about the industry and ES, we now present the following Q&A…
What do you like most about your role at ES?
Natasha Thomas, Settlement Coordinator: “I just love the environment and the vibe you get from everyone here. Everyone’s really nice, really looking out for each other. With our owners and our contractors, we’re really trying to make sure that everybody’s successful. I really like how ES looks out for everyone in the ES Community. Seeing all the women in the program is awesome. They are getting the opportunity to start their companies. It’s a great thing to see.”
What do like most about the trucking industry?
Sandra Bechel, Owner-Operator Settlements: “I like working with the people who are out on the road. I like talking to them. I like just making sure everything runs smoothly on their settlement so that they do not have to worry about their settlement checks. I try to take care of everything so that they don’t have to. It’s always impressed me with just how much the leadership of ES cares about their employees. That same type of care and concern is also very present in the way that they work with everyone in the ES Community.”
What impresses you about the programs that ES offers for truck ownership?
Debbie Acker, Accounts Payable: “I had my CDL and I drove over the road earlier in my career. If ES had been around when I was driving, I would probably still be out there and owning my own truck. I have always been impressed with how they really work with you to get you into the ownership program. And what ES has done to promote opportunities for women to become truck owners is wonderful. You have the opportunity to make a lot of money as a truck owner, and the support that ES provides definitely positions you for success. ES stands with you and, while it requires a commitment from the people in the program, ES makes becoming a successful truck owner about as simple as possible.”
What makes ES stand out from other companies working in transportation?
Kim Chambers, Recruiting Administration: “I have worked in transportation now for 28 years, and I could tell from the minute I walked in the door that ES was different than any other company where I had worked. I’ve always felt like I was in a family here. I learned very quickly that most of the people who join ES have been here a long time, which says a whole lot about a company working in transportation. I think what ES is doing with the Women In Trucking Association and the 150 Business Challenge is terrific. ES has made the commitment to expand ownership opportunities for women, and ES is making a difference in the industry.”
What has been one of your more rewarding experiences during your time at ES?
Alicia Leslie, Service Coordinator: “I’ve been with the company for 12 years, and I would have to say it’s been great to see the people behind the wheel in the ES Community progress from entering the program as an independent contract driver to eventually owning their own truck, with some even owning a fleet of trucks. It really makes you feel good to know that you’re a part of that because there are some fleet owners who started out in my fleet. Now, they’re back with me again. And, you just help them grow, and grow, and grow. What ES has done to promote opportunities for women is just amazing. Over my 12 years here, I have not been surprised to see the growth of the company and the growth of the programs offered by ES. It’s a wonderful company with wonderful people.”
Listen Up! NTI COO & SiriusXM Radio Host Leah Shaver Discusses Trucking Market
In this edition of the podcast, Leah Shaver will be joining us to talk about a range of topics that we know will be of interest for all professional drivers, fleet owners and anyone involved in the business of trucking. Leah is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Transportation Institute, and she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Women In Trucking Association. Regular listeners to SiriusXM radio and the Road Dog Trucking Radio have likely heard Leah as a host on Channel 146 or through the SiriusXM app. Leah is one of the trucking industry’s leading experts on compensation for professional drivers and owner-operators. Through her work at NTI, Leah studies market trends in the trucking industry and she is a strong advocate for promoting opportunities for women in all roles across the trucking industry.
The inaugural SITE was such a success, we’re doing it again in 2020!
The SITE is a truly unique trucking event that’s unlike any other gathering in transportation — and next year’s Success In Trucking Expo 2020 will continue and expand upon opportunities to help drivers become owners, owners become fleet owners, and fleet owners expand their fleets. Proving once again that with the opportunities offered by ES: If you can drive a truck, you can own the truck!
Building upon the success of last year’s SITE, Stoops Freightliner will once again be our Title Sponsor. The ES community will feature a gathering of top motor carriers including: Panther Premium Logistics, Forward Air and FedEx Custom Critical. In addition, our roster of vendors, guest speakers and ES team members will be on hand to answer questions and get to know you on a personal level, so you Never Stand Alone.
“In 2019, we worked diligently to develop the Success In Trucking Expo into an event that would be meaningful and have a positive impact for professional drivers interested in ownership, as well as current owner-operators and fleet owners who are looking to grow their businesses. We’re looking forward to continuing this success at the 2020 SITE,” said ES President Jason Williams.
MORE ABOUT THE SITE
• TheSITE (Success in Trucking Expo) 2020 takes place June 5 – 6 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest permanent sport facility in the world. At the SITE, your dreams of truck ownership can become a reality.
• Join us for food and fellowship! We look forward to dining with you and getting to know you better as we eat together with meals provided by the Success In Trucking Expo. Our wonderful venue located at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway will overlook a selection of new trucks for you to review and test drive.
We’re excited about the SITE 2020 and hope to see you there!
If you have questions or if you’d like to register now, please contact our team at 877-349-9303.
Stay tuned! We will be posting more details about the SITE 2020 as more information becomes available.
You Don’t Have to Wait for the SITE to buy a truck. It’s What We Do Everyday!
ES Truck Sales helps you unlock the door to future success with Real Trucks, Real Programs and Real Opportunity. For many new expedited contractors, buying a reliable used truck is the sensible way to enter the transportation business as an owner-operator. ES Truck Sales is here to help you with one of your most important business decisions – the purchase of your truck.
Contact us today to see why more transportation professionals rely on ES Truck Sales for the best value in late model trucks than anyone else in the industry.
Call our team 877-349-9303, ext. 120
ES Truck Sales has an Outstanding Selection of Trucks Available
Several 2015 Cascadia Dry Box ST with 72″ Factory Sleeper, DD13, Auto, Fridge, Inverter, and APU.
Miles 235K to 401K – Low to Mid $70Ks
A Few 2016 Cascadia Dry Box ST with Bolt SST100 Custom Sleeper & Lift Axle, DD13, Auto, Full Fridge, Microwave, Running Water, Inverter, APU.
Good Miles starting at $124K
Multiple 2014-15 Cascadia Refer ST with Bolt SST100 Custom Sleeper, Lift Axle, Lift Gate, DD13, Auto, Full Fridge, Microwave, Running Water, Inverter, APU.
Miles 400K To 600K Range – Starting at $85K
Bargain Price Trucks Available
2013 Cascadia Dry Box ST with 72″ Factory Sleeper – 765K Mi On Consignment – $28,500
2013 Cascadia Dry Box ST with 72″ Factory Sleeper – 734K Mi Fully Refurbed – $32,500
2014 Cascadia Refer ST with AA 98″ Custom Sleeper – 576K Mi On Consignment – $97,500
2014 Cascadia Refer ST with SST100 Custom Sleeper – 633K Mi On Consignment – $83,000
2014 Cascadia Dry Box ST with SST100 Custom Sleeper – 917K Mi On Consignment – $40,000
Late Model Pre-Owned Tractors Available Several On Consignment and Available Now!
2018 & 19 Volvo 780 & 860 Nice Specs with Auto, Fridge, Inverter, Workstation, & APU Miles 66K To 278K – Starting at $121,000
ETS also has Access To New Tractors!
Contact Danny Vernon, or David Morquecho in Truck Sales at 877-349-9303
When Jeffrey and Valerie Welborn made the decision to change careers and enter the field of transportation, they were hopeful that their new path would lead to opportunity and success. Little did they know that a chance encounter at a truck stop would bring their path to ES’s Path To Ownership (PTO) and to FedEx as their new motor carrier. Learn more about how they are building a fleet by choosing their own path for ownership and success.
Jeffery, how did you and Valerie get started in transportation?
It all started in 2013. Up until that time, I had always worked for myself as a building contractor and the market just wasn’t supporting my business. I had always wanted to drive a truck. I discussed it with Valerie, and since she had recently been laid off from her job, we decided it would be a good career move.
After looking at several trucking opportunities, we started driving long haul for a large trucking company. After about nine months, we found ourselves broken down at a truck stop waiting on a tow truck. We began talking to an ES team signed on with FedEx as their motor carrier. They told us about ES and their support, as well as what a great company FedEx is to drive for. We asked a lot of questions and It sounded like a much better opportunity than where we were at present. We made up our minds that when our current contract was complete (in about 3 months) that we would make the switch to ES and Fedex as a team.
Soon afterwards, we were in touch with ES Recruiter, Kim Smith. She spent a lot of time on the phone with us explaining how the various ES programs work. We also told her that we wanted to become truck owners and she was very informative about the ES Path To Ownership (PTO). She was up front about everything and explained about how we could drive a truck from the ES fleet while running under FedEx’s authority. During this time, our attitude, aptitude, work ethic and work history would be evaluated, along with our ability to generate revenue. And if we met all of the criteria, we could qualify to buy our own truck. It all sounded great — but we saw another opportunity within the ES umbrella and took another path to ownership, as you’ll see, it worked out very well for our business.
Can you tell us about the different path to ownership that you took?
The folks at ES encouraged us to attend their annual EGG (ES’s Group Gathering) — this was in 2015. It gave us the opportunity to get to know the people at ES on a personal basis. It also gave us the opportunity to network with other people in the business. The whole EGG experience was terrific! Not only did we get to meet a lot of knowledgeable people, we got to learn more about the transportation business in general. I would recommend to anyone to attend an EGG, it’s that good.
The EGG was the tipping point that reinforced our desire to become owners. Shortly afterwards, we met a fleet owner who gave us the opportunity to drive for him and purchase one of his trucks as a type of lease purchase agreement. We drove for him for about a year and a half as we were buying the truck and decided that we wanted to start our own fleet and buy a second truck. FedEx recommended several options and we chose to speak with ES because they represented the best opportunity to make a purchase while we were still paying for our first truck.
Back in August, we contacted ES about our desire to buy this second truck and spoke with Steve Kochensparger at ES Equipment Finance. I provided him with all of the paperwork and EEF evaluated it. At this point it was recommended that our best course of action was to purchase the current truck that we had been making payments on and own it flat out. This would make the process easier having that truck in our name when purchasing a second truck — which we should be able to do in about ninety days, through ES’s Path To Ownership.
We’re excited about the opportunity to add a second truck in a short amount of time and start building a fleet. I like the fact that ES is flexible with their Path To Ownership and lets us qualify for a truck using available data from the motor carrier that is provided to ES Equipment Finance. Our longterm plan is to add more trucks to our fleet in the future. The PTO makes the process easy and streamlined and we know what we’re getting. It’s a great opportunity to start our fleet off on the right foot.
A Woman in Transportation’s Perspective
What was it like starting a new career in transportation?
I love the fact that in transportation you are doing something different everyday. There really isn’t such a thing as “routine”. Yes, you’re performing a task where you haul freight on a routine basis, but it’s always a challenge and it’s almost always in a different place. Before getting into trucking, I had not seen many parts of this country. Transportation gives you the opportunity to travel and experience things you would never get to do in a more sedentary occupation.
I always tell women who want to get into transportation to keep an open mind. It’s not a business for everyone, but there is so much opportunity for women. I’m grateful that ES supports women-owned businesses with the 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge. Women should know that there are real careers to be made in the trucking field. It helps to have the right kind of business partner and I’m lucky to have Jeffrey. We always work well together as a team, and that’s what it takes to be a success in trucking — and it doesn’t hurt to have ES in your corner, so you never stand alone! Read more about the WIT/ES 150 women-owned business initiative by clicking here.
