The Oakley Podcast

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Introducing Lewie and the topics for the episode (2:17)  Driver shortage or driver turnover? (4:08) Challenges Faced by Truck Drivers (7:16) Impact of Regulations on Driver Retention (12:12) Need for Driver Education and Training (16:18) Cyclical Nature of Trucking Industry (19:35) Future of the Trucking Industry (21:56) The value of trucking (22:39) Com...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Introducing Jeff and Michael from ATBS (1:08) Oakley’s partnership with ATBS (2:19) ATBS's background and mission (4:02) Tax changes and record-keeping (10:33) Record-keeping for tax deductions (16:01) Profit and Loss Statement Creation (21:14) Benchmarking and Business Management (23:37) Unique Truck Tax Deductions (25:14) Quarterly Taxes and Safe Harbo...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Hayden’s Introduction and Background (1:36) Early Days at JANTRAN (2:35) Opportunity to Build Boats (5:28) Transition to Computer-Aided Design (10:00) Boat Building Process (10:35) Boat Design and Piloting Preferences (11:49) Precision and Launching (13:35) Boat Design Sketches (16:05) Propulsion Arrangements (18:01) Boat Building Techniques (21:39) Cons...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: History and operations of JANTRAN (1:17) Long-term employees and company culture (3:59) The start of JANTRAN and its expansion (5:16) Impact of regulations and changes in the industry (9:47) Competition in the business (12:45) Acquisition by Oakley Trucking (16:51) Future outlook for JANTRAN (23:07) Challenges in river infrastructure (24:10) Paul’s perso...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: The history of JANTRAN (2:10) Early career and experiences (3:23) Getting JANTRAN off the ground (5:35) Challenges and growth (10:23) Technical expertise and future growth (20:15) The niche industry of tow boats (22:14) Expanding the fleet (25:04) Selling the business (30:20) Transition to Oakley (31:24) Future plans and challenges (36:26) People are the...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Oakley Update: EFS Fuel Cards and Merry Christmas! (2:20) Randy’s upbringing and hobbies (5:03) The process of buying the first truck (10:43) Why  good dispatcher is so important (16:09 Randy’s truck show experience (21:07) Authentic owner operators at Oakley Trucking (22:17) Final thoughts and takeaways (23:11) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned an...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Matt’s background and experience in the financial industry (3:18) Defining financial independence (6:53) How does an owner-operator go about saving for retirement? (10:42) Investment categories for retirement (15:44) Is it too late to start investing if I am older? (17:49) The benefits of working with a financial advisor (21:40) Life insurance options (3...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: customer feedback (1:12) Ivan’s background and experience in the industry (2:11)  The Importance of Fertilizers in the worldwide economy (9:30) Ivan’s duties at Oakley International (10:30) Interesting international stories  and how they impact operations (15:06) The Experience of Working for Oakley (24:02) Unusual Vessel Discharge (27:14)...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Taking a break on the podcast until January (2:54) Ron's journey in newspapers to becoming an owner-operator (5:09) The decision to become a truck driver (10:53) Ron’s one-year anniversary as an owner-operator (11:52) Challenges of being an owner-operator (16:40) Challenges of owning and maintaining a truck (22:09) Starting and running a Y...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Truck Titles (4:41) John’s background in trucking and his joining Oakley (7:36) Trucking provides a good living (11:37) Getting Started at Oakley (12:49) Financial Stability and Family Support (20:39) Preparing for Winter in the Trucking Industry (21:50) Transitioning from End Dump to Pneumatic Division (23:27) The challenge of traffic saf...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: John and Marilyn’s background in the trucking industry (2:32) Becoming an Owner-Operator (7:40) John making the decision to join Oakley (9:51) Passion for driving  (11:27) Marilyn Deciding to get a CDL (13:07) Challenges of being a truck driver's spouse (15:43) Driving “The Bandit” (24:06) Misconceptions about Truck Drivers (25:32) The Importance of the...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Rusty's background and journey in trucking (2:06) Starting a Trash Rental Business (11:04) Challenges of Being an Owner-Operator (13:58) Misconceptions about Truck Drivers (20:46) Financial benefits of trucking (21:58) Family and personal life (22:24) Final thoughts and takeaways (23:38) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company hea...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Dean’s background and journey in trucking (2:02) The toxic work environment and the decision to become an owner operator (9:13) Support from Cindy and overcoming naysayers (10:16) The challenges and changes in the trucking industry (13:48) Truckers are caring and smart individuals (19:20) Challenges and skills required for truck driving (20:08) Advice fo...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Parking lot paving at the office (1:40) Introducing Lawson and Brandon (3:35) Learning to dispatch by starting in the shop (7:55) Learning the ropes and operations (10:21) The importance of the orientation experience from dispatch side (12:23) Handling the stress of dispatching (15:00) Overcoming the challenges of dispatching and the indus...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Introducing Anna Belle and her work behind the scenes  (3:16) The truck show at the company party (5:47) The voting process for trucks (10:00) Hotel accommodations and shuttle buses (12:16) Expansion of the party area (16:40) Prizes for the truck show (20:16) Safety awards for drivers (24:56) The million-mile awards (28:19) The challenges of driving long...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Andrea’s background and experience (2:23) The importance of driver cooperation in incidents and accidents (7:17) The driver’s impact on other litigation in the industry (10:28) Importance of dash cam footage (15:35) Cell Phone usage and distraction (20:00) Differences between vicarious liability and independent negligence (22:42) Plaintiff attorneys targ...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Introducing Todd and Adam (2:28) The pros of buying a new truck (7:04) Extended warranties on new trucks (8:31) New Truck Adjustments and Break-In Periods (10:12) Benefits of New Trucks: Less Downtime (10:41) Customization and Specifying New Trucks (15:04) Discussion on the 12% Charge for New Trucks (20:05) New technology in trucks (21:02) Availability o...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Getting the correct paperwork for physicals (2:46) Wayne's background and transition to truck driving (9:02) From company driver to owner-operator at Oakley (10:21) Making the husband-wife driving team work (11:15) Truck driver assist features in trucks (20:12) Safe driving equates to higher pay (21:18) The process of buying a new truck (2...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Driver Appreciation Week (3:08) Leonard’s background and journey in trucking (5:18) From farming to owning a trucking authority (10:32) Working 100 hour weeks managing multiple trucks (12:03) Transitioning to Oakley (17:26) The importance of money management (20:49) Finding financial stability and a good work-life balance (23:46) Advice fo...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Getting trucks repaired after accidents and claims (2:43) Getting into driving school and the benefits of the program (8:05) The changing perception of trucking (10:42) The shift to automatic transmissions in trucks (12:08) Financing trucking school and job placement (13:18) Finding students (21:18) Income potential for entry-level positio...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Hotel reservations for the company party (4:40) Pay per mile, loaded and unloaded (6:00) Stability and comfort (8:09) Family-owned and operated and the family atmosphere (10:35) Customer service and communication (16:12) Ensuring the success of the owner-operator (23:38) Teamwork at Oakley for the company’s success (24:37) Additional ways...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Truck wash receipts (2:40) Cody’s background and experience (4:28) Returning to Oakley (10:30) Reasons for making the decision to come back to Oakley (11:23) Leaving money on the table when leaving Oakley (14:08) The importance of communication and not making rash decisions (20:13) Getting support when struggling with work-life balance (21...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Need to Know with Vickie Chastain: pre-trip inspections (1:44) Financing for your truck and figuring out a down payment (5:02) Picking the right truck for the job (14:10) Selecting a good dealership to work with (17:41) Don’t spend your last dollar on a truck (27:22) Have a good business plan (34:00) What makes Oakley a good company for a first-time owne...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Dustin and Carl’s work in safety at Oakley Trucking (1:16) Categories of safety violations (10:03) Vehicle maintenance violations (11:49) Brake violations (13:59) Hazmat violations (21:08) Speed cameras in construction zones (24:28) Personal conveyance misuse (27:09) New policies for submitting maintenance reports (29:55) Reminders for CDL renewal and ph...

Key topics in today’s conversation include: Oakley Update: Pictures needed for the Oakley Calendar (1:43) Bobby’s success story at Oakley (5:09) Challenges of having a family and being on the road (9:05) An incident with Bobby’s truck catching fire (10:42) Advice for those considering switching to pneumatics (18:47) Stability and success that Oakley provides (22:22) How wives can be the backbone f...