FMIC SPOTLIGHT - Trucking

TRUCK DRIVER SPOTLIGHT

By Jeremy Helton, Loss Control Representative

Matt Mann has spent the better part of his life in the woods. His father, Dale Mann, Grandfather, Lendell Mann, and his Great-Grandfather, Tommy Mann, have all worked as loggers. You could say the woods are just in his blood.

To double down on that point, Matt and Trevor Haywood (Trevor Haywood Timber Co) grew up together riding dirt bikes in the woods near Leach, TN. Trevor is also the 4th generation in his family to make a career working in the logging woods. When Trevor asked Matt to drive for him 17 years ago, Matt said, “It just made sense.”

Matt has had the opportunity over the years to run cutters, skidders, and loaders in addition to trucks. When asked why he settled in on driving a truck, the answer came quick, “I just enjoy the freedom that driving gives you.” Likewise, he was quick to answer his biggest reservation about driving; he said, “other drivers not paying attention. Things have changed a lot over the years with phones and tablets. It’s a real concern.”

He told me a story about passing a swerving rig on a four-lane highway, only to find out the driver had a tablet on his steering wheel watching a movie. Another time on a two-lane with full shoulders, a car came completely in his lane and caused him to pull to the shoulder just before they collided. He never saw the lady’s face. Just her blonde hair, as she was staring down at her phone. She had no idea that she almost ran into a loaded log truck head-on.

When asked what he thought about dash cams, Matt said, “To be honest, I was really a bit hesitant, didn’t know what to think about them at first. I’m pretty big on privacy, but I understand their benefit now.” He recalled a time that his cousin Preston, who also drives for Trevor, had someone trying to pass him on a curve and almost ran head-on into a dump truck. When they wrecked, they tried not to take the blame. Fortunately, having a dash cam can prove what you know to be true when the finger-pointing starts.

Matt gave us a few tips he’s used over the years to stay safe on the road.

• Take your time, and don’t get in a hurry.

• Keep spaced out on the road, and leave plenty of room to stop.

• Every load rides; differently. I like my seat down low so I can feel the truck better.

• If you’re coming from over-the-road driving, these loads are really top-heavy.

• Make sure this time of year to strap the poplar and hickory down real good due to the bark slip.

• It helps to work for someone like Trevor, who really takes care of their equipment.

Trevor told us that Matt is of real value to his company. Not only is he the longest-running employee, but he can also do anything in the woods that needs to be done. If Trevor needs help with anything or if someone else can’t make it in, Matt is a go-to guy. He said besides being flexible; Matt also has a real talent for pulling a lowboy when equipment needs to be moved and set up.

When asked what he liked to do when he wasn’t in the woods, it’s probably no surprise that Matt, his wife Jeanee, son Dillon, and Dawson like to spend time in the woods riding side-by-sides. It’s just in his blood.

L - R: MATT MANN, JEANNEE AND DAWSON MANN, DILLION MANN AND CLARE LAMPKIN

L - R: MATT MANN, JEANNEE AND DAWSON MANN, DILLION MANN AND CLARE LAMPKIN