Robert Wilbur’s dependable nature makes him the go-to guy for all manner of challenging — and lucrative — hauls.
Robert Wilbur became an owner-operator the same day he became a trucker. In 1980, Wilbur bought a 1970 Dodge dump truck and began hauling building materials for construction sites of MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid rail transit system, near his Acworth, Ga., home. “I got a chauffeur’s license and started trucking with pretty much no experience,” Wilbur says.
Twenty-nine years later, he’s approaching two million accident-free miles and holds the honor of being the Bennett Motor Express 2008 Trucker of the Year, his second such award with the company.
Wilbur signed on with the fleet in the mid-’80s after building over-the-road experience in a 1972 International TranStar he bought in 1981 from a friend. “He said I needed to get out of the dump truck business and start doing over-the-road,” Wilbur, 55, recalls.
He leased to Plantation Transport and began hauling lumber for sawmills in Georgia. When Plantation had financial trouble, Wilbur signed on with National Freight, stayed there three years and in 1987 went with Bennett. (The owners are not related to his wife, the former Wanda Sue Bennett.)
“I do not like to move,” Wilbur says. “I probably would still be with the first company if they hadn’t had money problems.” Wilbur, who prefers hauling flatbed freight to dry van, jumped at the chance to haul equipment for Bennett.
Bonita Coffee, general freight manager for the fleet, attributes Wilbur’s awards and impressive safety record to his experience. “His knowledge of the industry and just being on the road so much goes a long way,” she says.
