The decision to own your own truck varies from one person or team to the next. Sometimes, ownership is the result of the right circumstances and opportunity presenting itself at the right time. Others plan for truck ownership at the beginning of their Expediting career. But no matter which path you take, there’s really no wrong time to buy a truck when you’re ready to become an owner.
Jean McCallum and her driving partner, Robert Eccleston are the latest example of a team whose path to ownership began with a plan — and a twist, as they started off their Expediting career working for a fleet owner. “We began as Expediters in January of this year, signed on with Panther, and a fleet owner, Lyn Brumfield, (see his story here) who was utilizing Expediter Services Owner Operator Program (Expediter Management Services). I guess you could say we started our career as Expediters with a whole lot of support from everybody,” said McCallum! The fact that McCallum and Eccleston drove for another fleet owner didn’t deter their dreams of becoming owners themselves. “Our background is in business. From the very beginning we knew that ownership would be in our future and once we got on the road and began generating income, we were able to run the numbers. It soon became clear that we were going to make the leap in fairly short order,” said McCallum. “Our fleet owner, Lyn Brumfield, understood our entrepreneurial desires and was supportive all the way. Expediters are great that way. Especially when they are on the Road Best Traveled.”
The next step in McCallum and Eccleston’s quest for ownership involved a call to Expediter Equipment Finance and Expediter Truck Sales. “We spoke with Steve Kochensparger at Expediter Equipment Finance to get the paperwork started, which included our revenue numbers we produced while on Lyn Brumfield’s truck. Once the financing was in place, Danny Vernon (Expediter Truck Sales Manager) found us a 2013 Freightliner Cascadia sourced from ES’s fleet. We got a great truck! It’s in excellent shape and it was a real deal compared to what we would have had to pay for a new one!”
“We then visited Expediter Services’ office in Southaven, Mississippi this past Friday and picked up our truck. We were pleasantly surprised at how fast and efficient the whole process was from start to finish. We’ve been running our new Cascadia for less than a week now and things are going well. We’re looking forward to earning even more of the pie as owners, and our goal is to build a fleet of 4 to 5 trucks in the not too distant future.”
For those of us who keep up with the latest trucking industry trends, the current driver’s shortage in the U.S. is familiar news. When you combine this shortage with the recent rise in demand for freight, you have a recipe for volatility — and opportunity. So when David Neese, Expediter Services’ Recruiter was asked to accompany representatives from FEDEX Custom Critical to address a newly formed class of driving students at Craven Community College in Bern, North Carolina to discuss these opportunities, he jumped at the chance!
Why did FEDEX Custom Critical want to address students at Craven Community College?
Craven Community College recently introduced a new driving class to help prospective drivers earn their CDL and they wanted to provide students with information about the opportunities they offer to new drivers. This was Craven’s inaugural class made up of 11 students from diverse backgrounds. FEDEX provided information about their various programs for independent contractors and owner operators.
Why was Expediter Services asked to accompany FEDEX for this presentation?
We were asked to support FEDEX Custom Critical by presenting programs for contractors and owner operators through the eyes of Expediter Services. I spoke about how trucking has changed over the years and how the shortage of drivers and the increased demand in freight was opening up long-term opportunities for contractors and owners. It was a great opportunity to share how Expediter Services supports FEDEX Custom Critical’s efforts.
What were some of the other topics discussed?
FEDEX and I talked about the importance of safety and regulations in the industry. Students were also very interested to know about how owner operators could get started and make money, even if they didn’t own their own equipment at first. I shared with them how many successful owner operators and fleet owners had started out as contractors, learned the business, then used Expediter Equipment Finance to purchase their own truck. They were pleasantly surprised to find out that Expediter Services provides real ownership opportunities by taking a driver’s work history into account when financing a truck. I also was able to allay student’s misgivings and fears about getting started in expediting by explaining how contractors and owners who are affiliated with Expediter Services Never Stand Alone because of our support services and programs, such as the Owner Operator Program and our Circle of Success marketing strategy.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your visit?
Absolutely! Craven’s new driving class is open to anyone who is interested in becoming a driver and accessing the opportunities in trucking. The school is also partnering with the military to help train personnel transitioning into civilian life. Nearby Fort Cherry is just one military facility that will benefit. The driving class will provide opportunities that otherwise may not be readily accessible to those entering back into the civilian workforce. As a matter of fact, there was one student finishing up their CDL who was going to run for fleet owner Padriaca Prude who runs under our Owner Operator program. (read his story here)
It was a true privilege to get to support FEDEX Custom Critical and share the many opportunities that Expediter Services has to offer new drivers who drive straight trucks or tractors.
In November of 1992, Gary King, a professional truck driver contacted a grade school in Williams Bay, Wisconsin and asked the principle if he could write to a class of students as a “pen pal”. A fourth grade teacher quickly agreed, and Trucker Buddy International was born. From this humble beginning, Trucker Buddy has grown into a respected not-for-profit educational organization with a world-wide reach.
The Trucker Buddy Mission
Randy Schwartzenburg Executive Director Trucker Buddy International
“Our mission is to enrich the educational lives of children through the positive experience and influence of professional truckers,” said Randy Schwartzenberg, Trucker Buddy Executive Director. “Truckers have a lot to offer students in the classroom because of the many tasks they perform as drivers. They use math, computer, navigation, communication and business skills every day. Truckers also travel and drive cool trucks, which the kids really love! The experiential nature of truckers and trucking really holds the student’s interest, making learning fun.”
How Trucker Buddy Works
Drivers are encouraged to visit the Trucker Buddy website, where they can sign up to learn the rules and regulations of the Trucking Buddies program. The next step is for the driver(s) to be matched with a school. Drivers can choose a school or Trucker Buddy can help find a school for members to participate.
Trucking Mentor’s rules help make sure the driver and the school are protected. They also create an atmosphere which leads to educating teen drivers and helps to build understanding of the trucking industry within the community. Once these steps are taken, truckers and schools can then communicate with each other and the learning begins!
“I encourage everyone to look into becoming a Trucker Buddy,” said Expediter Services President, Jason Williams. “When we learned about the organization at the latest Expedite Expo, it seemed like a natural fit for Contractors and Owner Operators alike. My wife is a second grade teacher and she immediately saw the educational potential of the Trucker Buddy Program.”
Kevin Keller & Cheryl Cooper: Trucker Buddies for the Long Haul
Kevin Keller and Cheryl Cooper are successful, long-time Owner Operators signed on with Panther. (read their story here in Spotlight News) Their involvement with Trucker Buddy goes back to September of 2014. “Being on the road can give you a lot of time on your hands when you’re not driving, and I was looking for something meaningful to help us pass the time during our downtimes. I went online and found the Trucker Buddy website,” said Cheryl Cooper. “As I read about their program I saw an opportunity for us to contribute to children’s education while helping to promote the image of the trucking industry all at the same time. It seemed like a perfect fit.”
Kevin and Cheryl contacted Trucker Buddy and signed up for the program. “We chose Jouett Elementary as our school in Mineral, Virginia. That area is rural and somewhat depressed economically and we felt those kids could really benefit,” said Cooper. “We correspond with them through email about what we do and send them packages with information about where we visit. We even did a visit to the school in our truck and the kids absolutely loved it! We were treated like rock starts. It’s not everyday they get to see, touch and sit in a big truck like this. You can tell it made a big impression on them and they really like honking the horn. I encourage any truckers out on the road to become a Trucker Buddy. Kids need to see that education has a practical application and truckers have so much to contribute.”
Expediter Truck Sales is pleased to introduce Danny Vernon, our NEW Truck Sales Manager. He will be filling the shoes of Josh Swindoll, who has moved on to pursue other opportunities — and we wish him great success with his new career. Danny brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position as Truck Sales Manager. He has over twenty-five years of experience in vehicle/equipment management and sales. His resume also includes hands-on knowledge of internet sales and finance. Please contact Danny at www.expeditertrucksales.com, or call him at 1-877-349-9303, ext. 120. He’ll be happy to help you find the right truck for your application.
A few weeks ago Spotlight News reported on Kenneth & Virginia Babcock and James Tucker & Elizabeth Johnson, two independent contractor teams who were awarded the coveted FedEx Four Star Award for Excellence. Since that story ran, both teams have since attended the weeklong celebration at Amelia Island, Florida and are now basking in the accolades and afterglow of a four star luxury vacation.
For those who are perhaps unfamiliar with the Four Star Awards, it’s FedEx Custom Critical’s way of acknowledging the top independent contractors in their fleet who demonstrate a high standard of customer service, safety and efficiency. It’s an award that only a small elite number of contractors achieve. And as the two teams describe it, it’s a great honor and a terrific celebration.
Enjoying the Perks and Rewards
Kenneth & Virginia Babcock — Previous Recipients
“The Four Star Awards were fabulous, FedEx did not disappoint! We had steak and lobster at the awards dinner — again! It was a beautiful atmosphere, we were right on the Atlantic Ocean.There were two get togethers with everyone, then they let us do what we wanted to do. That gave us a lot of time to ourselves, which we enjoyed very much. It was just a wonderful time.” — Virginia Babcock
James Tucker & Elizabeth Johnson — First-time Recipients
“The week was everything we had heard about and more. We enjoyed a couple’s massage. And every morning we had dips in the pool and long walks along the beach. The food was incredible too. On the final night at the award banquet we had filet mignon and lobster tail. Needless to say, we enjoyed every minute. We’re so thrilled to have been chosen to be Four Star recipients.” — Elizabeth JohnsonExpediter Services is privileged to be represented by two hard working and high achieving teams. Each one deserves the FedEx Four Star Award, as well as the perks that go along with it. They inspire everyone to do their best everyday,” said Jason Williams, President of Expediter Services.
