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Trucker of the Year
Investment diligence: Owner-op's profitable path to retirement
Nearing the end of a nearly 35-year run of consistently putting aside 15%-20% of his income, owner-operator Alan Kitzhaber's gotten close to where he truly wants to go -- that’s retirement, following 4 million miles in his long-running 1995 T600.
September 9, 2024
Trucker of the Month Alan Kitzhaber: 4 million miles, ever greater efficiency for his '95 T600
With all those safe miles in the rear view in just a single truck, the owner joins a pretty exclusive club. How'd he do it? This week's Overdrive Radio talk reveals a keen focus on preventive maintenance, and increasing efficiency.
July 15, 2024
One month left: Compete for Overdrive's 2024 Trucker of the Year honor
The program recognizes acumen/innovation of owner-operators, the bedrock of the entrepreneurial spirit in trucking. If you’ve controlled costs and maintained revenue amidst inflation and freight-market challenges the last years, you're a worthy contender.
January 5, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Meticulous with maintenance, eyes on efficiency: Trucker of the Month Alan Kitzhaber
Want to get value out of a piece of equipment over a term even a quarter of the length of the 4 million miles-plus Kitzhaber's put under his '95 T600's wheels? "If something needs to be fixed, fix it now," he said. "Don’t wait."
August 27, 2024
Overdrive Radio
A fair shot at sharing the road, with or without the robots' help
Trucker of the Month Mike Nichols' careful approach to business extends to perhaps the biggest challenge for OTR owner-ops going: bedrock safety on highways where distraction has become something of a norm.
August 12, 2024
Overdrive Radio
Trucker of the Month Mike Nichols steers business with reliable partnerships high in mind
Putting out a shingle with authority in dry bulk, handling all the maintenance: Neither are practical options for owner-op Mike Nichols, who instead steered his one-truck business to key partnerships in those areas on the winding road to success.
August 5, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Know your limitations, partner accordingly: Trucker of the Month Mike Nichols
After starting his trucking career nearly 40 years ago but spending a number of those years in other industries or elsewhere in trucking than behind the wheel, Nichols well knows his biz strengths, too, and finds home leased to Wayne Transports.
July 30, 2024
Overdrive Extra
Big week for Overdrive's Trucker of the Year Jay Hosty, now officially a 'Roadstar'
It's the Landstar owner-op fleet's highest honor, and crucially for Trucker of the Year Hosty, will take more than $1,700 in fixed cost off his ledger. Hosty also offered a peek at the only two Western Stars he could find at the ATHS national convention.
July 11, 2024
Overdrive Radio
Man's mastery of the freight machine, with a firm hand in Amazon's system
With a career that extends back to the mid-1990s, it’s owner-op Greg Labosky’s old-school knowledge that gives him the ability to adeptly tinker around the edges to take full control of the center of his business, to master the new-school Amazon machine.
July 8, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Eyes on the big climb: Careful prep the name of the game for Trucker of the Month
Owner-operator Greg Labosky's perhaps biggest strength as a business owner lies in prepping for unexpected: keeping a close eye on expenses he can control, catching maintenance items early before the big repair.
June 28, 2024
Overdrive Radio
Odyssey past 10 mpg to max efficiency, in more ways than one: Trucker of the Month Alec Costerus
Alec Costerus, after dissatisfying prior careers in commodity trading and financial services, is unique among Overdrive's Trucker of the Year monthly semi-finalists for all kinds of reasons. Hear his story and advice on achieving max efficiency here.
June 10, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Fuel mileage gains, business prowess power Trucker of the Month
Alec Costerus, owner of two-truck Alpha Drivers Transportation, was an owner-op for 8 years before coming off the road for a medical issue. He started the new business in 2022 with a mind toward growth, and a pay-for-all-time approach to operators.
May 29, 2024
Overdrive Radio
2 pristine custom '24 Pete 589s | Standout owner to the next generation
Part 2 of our talk with May Trucker of the Month and longtime owner-operator Gary Schloo features his advice for the next generation of truck owners, likewise a special treat: A window on the two custom 589s you see here, with Semi Casual's custom shop.
May 27, 2024
Overdrive Radio
A short leash on long-term stability, profit: Trucker of the Month Gary Schloo
Owner-operator Schloo's been on the road for more than a half century, a majority of that time as a business owner. His history makes clear huge value in his cost-conscious approach for insurance against failure, and his steady hand at success.
May 13, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Effective insurance, exacting analysis deliver Trucker of the Month's success
With 30-plus years of small business behind him, Gary Schloo is the kind of owner-operator who can tell you at any time what his overall cost-per-mile is, down to the cent -- likewise what portion of that is tied up in fuel, tires, brakes, you name it.
April 30, 2024
Overdrive Radio
'Too many scammers out there': Trucker of the Month stays choosy about brokers
In this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, March Trucker of the Month Candace Marley details the relationship-building strategy for freight in her Iowa-based one-truck business -- Calliope, LLC -- as she overcomes 2023 setbacks toward long-term success.
April 15, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Thriving on the challenge: Trucker of the Month Candace Marley
A tenacious spirit has helped independent owner-operator Candace Marley thrive early in her owner-operator career, then survive when times got particularly tough, earning her a nod as Overdrive's Trucker of the Month for March.
March 28, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Trucker of the Year Jay Hosty nets new Bostrom seat, custom replica of his '06 Western Star 4900EX
At MATS, Hosty was recognized and presented a model replica of his 2006 Western Star 4900EX, as well as a surprise gift from Trucker of the Year sponsor Commercial Vehicle Group and its Bostrom Seating brand: A seat up to a $2,500 value.
March 22, 2024
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