Spotlight News has featured numerous success stories detailing the path that people take to become truck owners through ES’s PTO (Path to Ownership) and MBA (Much Better Alternative to truck ownership) programs. This week’s issue spotlights the driving team of Randall Coulstring and Denise Malachefski, a FedEx Custom Critical team who took the Path to Ownership to become a Success in Trucking. This is their story.
Randall, how did you get your start in transportation? I was working as a marine mechanic in Florida when the economic downturn of 2008 hit. They started laying people off who didn’t have tenure, so I knew that I needed to make a career change. I decided to get my CDL and started a new career in transportation. I’ve been in the business ever since.
Tell us about how FedEx became your motor carrier? Since I started driving a truck, I’ve worked as a driver for several different trucking companies over the years. I’ve gained knowledge and experience with each different one, but I never felt as if I had found a home. Then about four years ago, I signed on with FedEx driving expedited freight in a tractor-trailer. FedEx is a great company to work with and I definitely feel like I have found a home here.About two years ago, my girlfriend Denise Malachefski, started on the road with me as my driving partner. She was having some difficulty manually shifting gears, so we walked away from the truck we had lease purchased after about two-and-a-half months. So, it actually worked out better because the lease purchase wasn’t a very good deal anyway. There was no beneficial way to pay it off and you have no support whatsoever. We also had the desire to be owners and the lease purchase just wasn’t going to get us to our goal of true ownership.
How did you hear about ES and tell us about your Path to Ownership? While driving around the country I had heard good things about ES over the years from other drivers. In particular, I had heard about their great financing and their PTO program. Denise and I discussed it and decided to contact ES to learn more. I spoke with one of the ES team members and they explained about the Path to Ownership and their Much Better Alternative to truck finance. They went into detail about the program and how they take your work history into account when it came to getting approved. It all sounded great and we knew our numbers were good, so we decided to take the plunge.
We had recently started driving a 2013 Cascadia refrigerated white glove TVAL straight truck with a custom sleeper owned by another fleet owner. He had agreed to sell it to us. We spoke with Expediter Equipment Finance about our desire to buy this truck. They were happy to accommodate us. Wesubmitted the specs on the truck, along with our paperwork and a down payment. It wasn’t long before we heard back from EEF telling us that we were approved. ES took our attitude, aptitude and work history into account when it came to getting financed. It also didn’t hurt that we had outstanding earnings as a FedEx Custom Critical team. We were so happy to become owners at last!
A Woman in Transportation’s Perspective
Denise, has the truck buying and owning experience been positive for your business? The entire purchasing experience was easy and straightforward. We’ve been in our truck for just over two months and the longer we run, the more we see how ES fuel card and insurance discounts are good for our bottom line. There’s the additional benefit as an owner, because you get all of therevenue. Another positive benefit of ownership is the support we get from the ES team. They are always there for us when we need help, so we Never Stand Alone.
What has it been like for you as a woman in transportation? I have to say it has been different than other businesses I’ve been in. For one thing, I’m part of a team. I do as much driving as Randall, but I also have other duties that I perform as well, like paperwork. He has other responsibilities too, such as looking after the truck. But at the end of the day, when you drive for FedEx Custom Critical, you have to come together to do whatever is needed to make your business successful. I think the level of responsibility is definitely over and above other types of businesses, but so is the reward, that’s why I love it!
I also think it’s wonderful that ES supports women starting their own businesses through the 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge. Transportation can be a very good career move, for women and I think ES, serving as s small business generator, is very helpful for anyone looking to get into the business. (Read more about the WIT/ES 150 women-owned business initiative here)
What are your plans for the future? Since getting our feet wet with owning our own truck, Randall and I have been discussing the possibility of adding another truck in the not too distant future. That may lead to even more trucks and fleet ownership, too. With support from ES, I can definitely see opportunities to grow our business to the next level in a reasonably short amount of time.
Many of you have seen the 150 Women-Owned Businesses Challenge in a growing number of Spotlight articles this past year. So, we decided to give you an update as to just how the Challenge is progressing since it’s introduction last fall. In a nutshell, it’s doing very well!
Announced at the Women In Trucking Accelerate Conference & Expo in October 2017, the 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge developed as part of a strategic partnership with Expediter Services and the Women in Trucking organization, offering accessible financing as well as operational and business support for women interested in starting their own small business in the trucking industry. The program, in utilizing infrastructure developed through the expertise of Expediter Services, offers a proven platform for women who are interested in learning about and growing within the trucking industry. The women in the program will be on a path to establishing their own small businesses as owner-operators and fleet owners in a market that now has a driver shortage approaching 50,000, according to the latest industry estimates.
Panther Premium Logistics and Forward Air became the first carriers to pledge their support in welcoming the capacity that will be generated by the small businesses produced through the new program. To date, the Challenge has reached the half way point in helping women realize their dream of becoming business owners — and that number is growing!
To help prospective owners gain access to the 150-WOB Challenge opportunity and become a Success in Trucking, ES is relying on the PTO (Path to Ownership) and the MBA (Much Better Alternative) to truck finance initiatives. Here’s how they work: ES helps prospective owners sign on with a motor carrier who is affiliated with the PTO program. Once approved by a partner motor carrier, ES evaluates your attitude, aptitude, work ethic and work history for a period of time. If the candidates meet the criteria at the end of the the evaluation period, they continue their Path To Ownership by choosing a truck with help from Expediter Truck Sales and submitting their financial information to Expediter Equipment Finance in order to obtain a Much Better Alternative to truck finance. It’s that simple! And it’s a tried-and-true process to help insure that owners have the right path and support. When you add in the deep discounts such as the ES fuel card, great deals on insurance, and the level of support offered by ES, you have a recipe to be a Success in Trucking, so you Never Stand Alone!
ES is proud to help women realize their dream of truck ownership and we look forward to helping YOU. And remember, you don’t have to wait until 2019 to take advantage of the opportunities offered by ES, It’s what we do everyday. Learn more about the 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge here.
John McManesse is a veteran driver whose career path has run the gamut of transportation opportunities over the years. Recently, a negative experience with a lease purchase agreement found him searching for a better opportunity that eventually led to ES’s Path to Ownership (PTO) and a Much Better Alternative (MBA) to truck finance. Check out his story that leads to Success in Trucking.
How did you get started in transportation? My career in trucking started back in 1994 hauling locally. Over the years I’ve been a company driver, an independent contractor and a lease driver. I’ve been with companies that treat drivers well and with some that don’t have much regard for their drivers. It’s been a long and hard journey from the time I got started to where I am now. My present carrier is Forward Air and they’re just a great place to be. I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long to find them.
Tell us about your experience with a lease purchase agreement? I was in a lease purchase just before coming to Forward Air, but the situation wasn’t good at all. The truck had a lot of miles on it and there just was no beneficial way to pay off the lease. I finally just had to walk away from it. I would never recommend to anyone going that route. Especially since ES’s PTO is now available and such a better alternative when it comes to buying a truck.
Tell us more about working with Forward Air? They treat you great and work with you, not against you. I found Forward Air and the ES opportunity through an online trucking forum that my wife came across. That’s where we heard about how great Forward Air was (especially since they were in the ES community) — that was back in April of this year. Shortly after finding out about them, I decided to contact both Forward Air and ES to learn more. Being in the business as long as I have, I’ve heard just about every offer there is out there and felt that there was nothing to lose by talking to them. I am extremely glad I did.
Can you tell us more about your Path to Ownership? Once I made contact, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the ES recruiter was a good listener. He asked me what my goals were and what I wanted to do with my business. I told him that I heard about the PTO and I wanted to purchase my own truck. After further discussion, I was told in detail about the opportunity to drive with Forward Air. The opportunity sounded great. He explained more about the Path to Ownership — this is how it works: I would drive one of ES’s trucks as a contract driver for a specified amount of time (a minimum of 90 days). During this time, ES would evaluate my aptitude, attitude and performance as an earner and prospective owner operator. Around the end of successfully completing the evaluation period, I would receive a call from ES and continue my Path to Ownership by choosing a truck with help from ES Truck Sales and submitting my paperwork for approval to Expediter Equipment Finance. At least that was the plan, but life got in the way right in the middle of taking my path.
Our family suffered two untimely deaths very close together, just as I began the PTO process. But ES and Forward Air were so sensitive to our loss, they both understood and even helped me and my wife get home to be with family. I can honestly say that I have never seen businesses in the transportation industry show so much compassion and support. I’m truly grateful for the kindness and understanding during this difficult time. I was able to take the time I needed and then continue the Path to Ownership at Forward Air.
What happened after you continued your Path to Ownership following this most difficult time? After being with my family, I continued the Path to Ownership. It wound up taking me about four and a half months, but thank goodness I was able to complete it. Soon, I got the call that my numbers were good and they saw how I would respond during difficult times. I then submitted my paperwork to Expediter Equipment Finance. It wasn’t long before I got approved. The process was easy and straight forward. What I was told from the start was all true, including the fact the ES takes your attitude, aptitude and work history and a specific motor carrier into account when it comes to getting approved.
Shortly after approval, I got with Danny Vernon, ES Truck Sales Manager. He helped me source a very nice, brand new 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. The truck has everything you could ever want, including a Thermoking APU that helps me save on fuel. The sleeper is also nice and I’ve been in the truck now for about four weeks.
How has being a true truck owner affected your bottom line? It’s definitely had a positive impact. I’m earning more and I have more earning power and flexibility due to ES’s fuel card and other discounts offered. Also, the support I get from the team is an added benefit. Overall, my experience as an owner has been great, and just as they say, with ES, you Never Stand Alone! I had a good opportunity offered at a great carrier with a brand new truck and the best support system you could ask for. It all works together to help make me a Success in Trucking.
What are your future plans as an owner? I’m extremely happy where I am right now. My goal is to earn as much revenue as I can, while paying this truck off early. I feel I should be able to achieve this in a relatively short amount of time. After that, I will probably get another Freightliner with an even bigger sleeper so my wife Lisa can travel more with me. I’m looking forward to the opportunities ahead for me and my business and the positive impact for my family. ES is a great community to be involved with!
As 2018 winds down and the holidays approach, the folks at ES would like to thank everyone for helping to make this year successful. It’s your involvement, support, and feedback that helps make this community a success with the services and opportunities in transportation. This year has seen the expansion of a number of key initiatives designed with your input to help further broaden opportunities for everyone under our umbrella of services and support. Below we detail these efforts. We also want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year — and we’re excited about serving you in 2019.
Path to Ownership (PTO) and the Much Better Alternative to truck finance (MBA)
In 2018, the PTO and MBA programs began hitting their stride by providing truck ownership opportunities unlike anything offered in transportation. Everyone’s path is different, but the fundamentals are the same and it all leads to Success in Trucking — here’s how it works: ES helps prospective owners sign on with a motor carrier who is affiliated with the PTO program. Once approved by a partner motor carrier, ES will evaluate your attitude, aptitude, work ethic and work history for a period of time.
If the candidates meet the criteria at the end of the the evaluation period, they continue their Path To Ownership by choosing a truck with help from Expediter Truck Sales and submitting their paperwork to Expediter Equipment Finance to get a Much Better Alternative to truck finance. It’s that simple! And it’s a tried-and-true process to help insure that owners have the right path and support.
When you add in the deep discounts such as the ES fuel card, great deals on insurance, and the level of support offered by ES, you have a recipe to be a Success in Trucking, so you Never Stand Alone!
And remember, you don’t have to wait until 2019 to take advantage of the opportunities offered by ES, It’s what we do everyday.
150 Women-Owned Business Challenge
Announced at the Women In Trucking Accelerate Conference & Expo in October 2017, the 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge developed as part of a strategic partnership with Expediter Services and the Women in Trucking organization, offering accessible financing as well as operational and business support for women interested in starting their own small business in the trucking industry. The program, in utilizing infrastructure developed through the expertise of Expediter Services, offers a proven platform for women who are interested in learning about and growing within the trucking industry. The women in the program will be on a path to establishing their own small businesses as owner-operators and fleet owners in a market that now has a driver shortage approaching 50,000, according to the latest industry estimates.
Panther Premium Logistics and Forward Air have become the first carriers to pledge their support in welcoming the capacity that will be generated by the small businesses produced through the new program. To date, the challenge has helped over 75 women to become business owners and we expect that number to grow as we close in on the goal of 150 Women-Owned Businesses. (Read more about the WIT/ES 150 women-owned business initiative here)
Expanding into general truckingIn order to serve the greater transportation market, ES expanded its offerings into general trucking. As many people know, we started and developed our innovative programs in the expediting market (which is near and dear to our heart), and we will all take advantage of the increased benefits and efficiencies as our community grows. We’re looking forward to continue serving you in this capacity.
After a catastrophic breakdown, driving partners Jack Roberson and Diana Smith were in a quandary trying to figure out what path to take in order to purchase a new truck. After much research and a heads up from their recruiter at XPO, they found ES’s Path to Ownership (PTO) and got their MBA (Much Better Alternative) to truck finance. Read more to learn how their experience purchasing a truck from ES changed their business path for the better.
Jack, tell us how you got started in transportation? In 1998, I was working in management for a large electronics firm. They downsized and moved their operations out of Ohio where I live. I started looking around for other opportunities. I have always been interested in trucking and thought I would look into it. In 2000, I went to trucking school and that’s how I got started in transportation as a new career.
How did you wind up at XPO as your motor carrier? Shortly after getting my CDL, I started driving locally for a flatbed company. I really like the physicality of that type of trucking, but I wasn’t used to being dirty all of the time. I did this for about six months and met my fiancé, Diana. She had a friend in Dayton, Ohio, who had four trucks and he was looking for drivers. I drove for him with one of the large overnight transportation companies for about eight months. I eventually wound up buying that truck from him.
It wasn’t long before I convinced Diana to come out on the road with me because she already had her CDL. We drove together as team for about three years. She left the road to help her elderly parents and I began driving for another long haul trucking company. I was there for eleven years. Over these years I had owned four trucks. I thought this was a much better way to do business than to lease.
In 2013, Diana came back out on the road with me. In 2016, we went to XPO and we’ve been very happy there. They’re a great company to work with.
What brought you to ES? The truck we owned at the time’s engine was having tremendous problems and it finally blew. We spoke to the dealer and found out to replace the engine would be much more than the truck was worth. We began doing research to find out what our options were to get another truck. Our recruiter at XPO told us about ES and their PTO and MBA opportunities. It sounded really good, so I checked out the ES website to learn more. I wanted to speak with someone who had actually taken the Path to Ownership. Our recruiter put me in touch with a team who had completed the PTO and gotten a Much Better Alternative to truck finance. They had great things to say about it and recommended ES to us, even providing me with photos and other information about their purchase. I was impressed with what I saw and contacted ES to find out even more.
Tell us about your Path to Ownership? After talking to the people at ES about their PTO and MBA, I found that liked their arrangement — the deal structure turned out to be much much better than going through traditional financing and the weekly payment deduction to be applied to a monthly payment made sense as well, and was beneficial to helping me manage monthly cash flow. We wound up purchasing a 2019 Volvo 860 with a Thermoking APU and a very nice sleeper. Danny Vernon at Expediter Truck Sales did an excellent job finding our truck. We absolutely love it!
After choosing our truck, Diana and I submitted the paperwork to Expediter Equipment Finance and got approved quickly. The entire transition from contacting ES, through final approval and purchase was smooth, efficient and timely. The ES staff was very good about keeping us up-to-date about progress of the purchase and the ES programs, as well.
If I had known about ES’s PTO & MBA, I would never have purchased some of the other trucks I’ve owned over the years. The PTO & MBA are truly unique opportunities that make very good business sense because your work history, attitude and aptitude play a part in getting approved. It has been a great experience, and I believe will continue to prove very beneficial for our business.
Tell us more about your experience with ES? We’ve been in our new truck about three weeks and everything is going great. We really like the fuel card, which saves us on fuel. We’ve had good support from Patrick Bertrand our Service Coordinator. With ES, you Never Stand Alone.
What are your future plans? Right now, we’re just enjoying our new truck and concentrating on generating as much revenue as we can. And even though we’re kind of getting up there in years, I’d like to do this again. I have a son that we’re grooming to get into the business and it would be nice to be able to pass on a legacy to him.
A Woman in Transportation’s Perspective
Diana, what has it been like as a woman in transportation? I started in the transportation field in 1989 as a trainer for a large carrier. In the beginning it was more difficult for women in this business. Men didn’t expect women to really be out here and at times that type of attitude made it more difficult. I had quite a few conversations over the CB with men who weren’t too happy about us being on the road. But today, attitudes have changed. We’re starting to become an integral part of the business. It’s nice to see men become more accepting of our position and contributions in the industry.
What advice would you give to women looking at getting into the business? To me, there really aren’t men and women in the industry — we’re all truck drivers. I think it’s important for women to recognize that if they are going to be in this business, they have a responsibility to do whatever is necessary to be successful, whether it’s driving, backing or doing paperwork. That’s what I do with our business. I do what is necessary for us to become successful. Jack is the same way. Even though we have different talents and perform different duties, we’re in this business together as a team. And it takes both of us to be a success in trucking.
What are your thoughts on ES’s 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge? If I had known about the challenge only a few years ago, we would have made much different decisions concerning buying a truck. I think it’s a wonderful thing for women and the industry. I would encourage women looking for a career in transportation to contact ES to learn how they can benefit from the initiative. (Read more about the WIT/
ES 150 women-owned business initiative here)
Randall, how did you get your start in transportation? I was working as a marine mechanic in Florida when the economic downturn of 2008 hit. They started laying people off who didn’t have tenure, so I knew that I needed to make a career change. I decided to get my CDL and started a new career in transportation. I’ve been in the business ever since.
