As an Expediter, when was the last time you truly found a much better alternative to anything in business, or even in life that actually lives up to its’ promise? Most alternatives tend to fall flat, leaving you with not much to show for your efforts. But sometimes, you find an alternative that actually works better than the so called “mainstream” choices — a product or service that’s a real game changer, creating opportunities that can turn your business and your life around for the better.
Now there’s a true alternative to truck finance from Expediter Services/Expediter Equipment Finance that offers real opportunity for truck ownership through the Path to Ownership Program: the MBA (Much Better Alternative). The Much Better Alternative is the brainchild of Expediter Services CEO, Paul Williams, who explains how the program helps prospective truck owners through innovative finance options. “Expediter Services believes that every driver has a chance at ownership. We take this concept out of the realm of possibility and make it real,” said Williams. “The MBA or Much Better Alternative is our way of letting people know that we’re not the everyday financing option. We break the mold of traditional financing because we take non-traditional factors into account when it comes to buying a truck.”
Expediter Services is the Only Company that Offers a Much Better Alternative for prospective owners by taking into account the following non-traditional lending factors:
We take your work history and productivity into account when it comes to financing a truck
We welcome 1st time buyers
We welcome non-homeowners
We have market competitive rates for the entire spectrum of loan applicants
We offer proven support programs through Expediter Management Services to help you succeed
“Expediter Services has helped hundreds of people graduate to truck ownership with the MBA. We challenge anyone to find a Much Better Alternative when it comes to buying a truck. We’re passionate about helping drivers to become owners and truly believe Expediter Services’ MBA (Much Better Alternative) is the new standard of truck finance in the industry,” said Williams. Anyone looking for a true alternative to truck finance is encouraged to contact our team at 877.349.9303 for more information.
Dorr and Anne Tymon with their Custom 2014 Cascadia from Expediter Truck Sales
The great thing about Expediting is the opportunities that are available to practically anyone. It doesn’t matter about your age, gender, or even your background. Expediting can help launch a first, second or even third career. This installment of Spotlight News shines the light on Dorr and Anne Tymon, a couple who’ve already had successful careers and love the road, but they weren’t quite ready to drive off into the sunset.
“I was in retail management for thirty years and Dorr was an owner operator back in the eighties driving big rigs. We also owned a successful dry cleaning business and a restaurant. You could say we’ve had our fingers in a number of different pies over the years. And we’ve always had the desire to work for ourselves one way or the other,” said Anne.
After so many years of working, the Tymons decided it was time to take off and enjoy life, so they took to full-time RV’ing. “Over the last four years, Dorr and I traveled across all forty eight of the lower states. We had a great time because we both love the road so much. But Dorr got the itch to get back to driving commercially and bought a tractor last summer running a reefer. Things were going great, then we met a guy at a campground who owned two Expediting trucks — and things changed!”
Things changed alright as they realized that Expediting would be their new career. “After talking to people who were into Expediting, Dorr contracted the Expediting itch in a big way! He nudged me into getting my commercial license, which I got this past April. Then we began a new career as Expeditors in May, signed on with Panther as our carrier. We drove as Contract Drivers for a few months and found out we really liked it. We were really drawn to the lifestyle and the earning potential and soon decided we wanted to own our own truck.”
Like many folks who decide to become Owner Operators, the Tymon’s began doing research on where to find the best truck for their money. “Once we made the decision to become owners, we began asking around about where to get a truck and our rep at Panther recommended that we contact Expediter Services. So, we made a call. The folks at ES were very helpful and hooked us up with Danny Vernon at Expediter Truck Sales. He found us a very nice slightly used 2013 Cascadia from Expediter Services fleet and we made the trip down to ES’s offices in Southaven, Mississippi to pick it up.”
But this is where their story takes an unexpected turn. ” No sooner had we started looking over the 2013 Cascadia we had picked out, Dorr spotted a 2014 Cascadia with a Bolt Custom sleeper sitting in the parking lot being power washed. It was love at first sight! He decided right then and there this wasthe truck for us. Danny Vernon was more than happy to help us acquire this newer truck. Soon we were in touch with Steve Kochensparger at Expediter Equipment Finance and the deal was done. The whole thing was so easy. Dorr just loves this truck and I love the Custom 100 inch sleeper! We’ve been on the road for just about a week and have made a few runs already. We feel like we got a great deal, especially since this unit is a 2014. ”
The Tymon’s are also looking to help their son get into the business. “There’s so much opportunity in Expediting. We’re talking to our son, who is twenty-five about getting his Class B license. We’re wanting to buy another truck from Expediter Truck Sales so he and a friend can earn a good income. The level of support you get from Expediter Services Owner Operator program would be so helpful for someone just starting out. The fuel card alone makes purchasing fuel so easy & efficient. It’s exciting to think about the potential for growth for all of us with help from Expediter Services.”
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, 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. 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.”
We welcome 1st time buyers
