Women In Trucking Association
October 2017
Member of the Month
Johnelle DeBusk Hunt

Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announces Johnelle DeBusk Hunt as its October Member of the Month. Johnelle loved driving her friends around the neighborhood in one of her dad’s big trucks used for hauling poultry feed. She had no idea that those drives around town would prepare her for a lifetime working in transportation and helping build a Fortune 500 company with her husband, J.B. Hunt.

Johnelle was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas. She met Johnnie Bryan Hunt when she was a junior in high school, and four years later they were married. She attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Johnelle and J.B. Hunt were married for 55 years and were blessed with two children and seven grandchildren.

“For the first 12 years we were married,” says Johnelle, “he drove a truck, I took care of the ‘business’ from the house. While he was on the road, I took care of the money, paid the bills, and raised the children. It was my job and I never complained, because he was providing for us and I could handle the rest.”

In 1961, the J.B. Hunt Company, a rice hull packaging company, opened its doors in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Eventually, Johnelle was needed outside of the home and went to work part-time to help her husband grow the business. As the company expected, she found herself working more and more – helping with correspondence, financial statements, and bookkeeping. Before long, she was working full time. In 1969, the couple expanded the company’s service offerings to include five trucks and seven refrigerated trailers, marking the start of J.B. Hunt Transport. Its success is a tribute to the Hunt’s entrepreneurial spirit and hard work.

“I always do the best I can,” says Johnelle. “I make decisions, and when something doesn't turn out like I wanted it to, I let it go. The struggles are what make us appreciate when the good times come.”

Today, J.B. Hunt is one of the largest transportation and logistics providers in North America, encompassing intermodal, dedicated, truckload, LTL, final mile, refrigerated, flatbed, and expedited services.

As the company grew, Johnelle held a number of positions. “I did all the collecting from the beginning,” says Johnelle. “Even after we got larger and I hired some other people, I kept the tough clients. The key was being persistent. I would call them morning, noon, and night.”

Even after her retirement from the Board of Directors in 2008, Johnelle remained an active and important partner who continues to contribute to the company’s development and success.

“Transportation is a great field for women,” says Johnelle. “Women can get things done. We see situations differently, and I'm thrilled to know that we have women driving trucks.”

Trucker Buddy Welcomes Alan Welborn as New Executive Director

Trucker Buddy International is pleased to announce that Alan Welborn has joined Trucker Buddy as the new Executive Director. Replacing retiring Randy Schwartzenburg, Welborn began his role as Executive Director during the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas.

In his role as Executive Director, Welborn will be responsible for the operation, management and fundraising of Trucker Buddy (TBI). Welborn joins TBI with more than 17 years in the truck industry and over 15 years of experience in management and sales. His extensive industry and sales experience combined with his operations management and over ten years of event management will play an important role as the Executive Director of TBI.

“We have been fortunate to have Randy Schwartzenburg’s expertise and hard work directing us for the past nine years,” said Welborn. “He has dedicated his heart and soul over the years to making Trucker Buddy the best program he can and he will be missed.” In addition to his nine years as Executive Director, Schwartzenburg has 25 years collectively working with Trucker Buddy, dating back to the inception of the program.

TruckDriver.com
Carrier of the Month
U. S. Xpress, Inc.

When Max Fuller and Patrick Quinn founded US Xpress in 1986, they began with a modest fleet of just 48 trucks. More importantly, they brought a fresh, new perspective that emphasized custom solutions and personalized customer service, delivered by insightful and motivated experts. This new way of thinking quickly resonated with customers. In fact, just one year later Inc. magazine hailed US Xpress as one of the fastest-growing privately held truckload carriers in the country.

Their leadership was also eager to harness the power of technology for the good of their customers and their employees. US Xpress was one of the first truckload carriers to fully integrate satellite communications aboard the fleet.

They were also early adopters of such life-saving technologies as roll stability, disc brakes, and accident avoidance systems. In addition, US Xpress’ fresh perspective included leading the industry in “thinking green.” They were awarded for the second time the SmartWay Environmental Excellence Award for reducing pollution and greenhouse gasses.

By staying true to their core ideals, US Xpress has achieved exponential growth. In fact, they surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue faster than any truckload carrier in history. In the process, their fleet has grown from those original 48 trucks to 7,000 tractors and 15,500 trailers. And the innovative spirit that first launched US Xpress is now fueled by over 10,000 solutions-minded problem-solvers including a new generation of Fullers and Quinns. So no matter what new challenges the future may bring, U can count on US.

U.S. Xpress is the largest privately held truckload carrier in the country headquartered in Chattanooga, TN. Driving opportunities include Solo, Team, Regional, Dedicated, Lease and Owner Operator.

Its service offerings include, Solo-Truckload, Team, Dedicated, Demand Critical, Intermodal, Logistics, Brokerage and International.

The Most Important Part of U.S. Xpress is U.

LIMITED TIME! Right now, U.S. Xpress is offering a $10,000 SIGN ON BONUS for OTR experienced drivers and up to $10,000 for drivers who relocate to Indiana. Earn top pay and get home every other weekend as an OTR driver or home daily if you relocate to Indiana. Plus, OTR Driver Trainers can earn up to $110,000 a year. They are also hiring students/CDL grads. Start out earning experienced pay and you could earn up to 4 pay raises in the 1st year.

Take Your Career to the Max – Team drivers can earn up to $175,000/yr., get up to an $8,000 sign on bonus and drive the newest trucks – 2016-2017. Don’t have a team partner? Find one with our Max Match program.

Want to be your own boss? Check out the U. S. Xpress lease purchase program (only 6 months experience required). And, you can receive a $1,000 Sign on Bonus, plus a $10,000 Competition Bonus.

Great Opportunities at US Xpress!
Call Today
888-312-9558
www.otrjobsatusx.com