TRUCK DRIVER SPOTLIGHT

Truck Driver Spotlight

By Philip Sligh Region 20 Field Representative

FMIC is pleased to highlight the accomplishments of our policyholder, Gaston Logging, LLC, which is in Union, SC. Mr. Jack Gaston, the owner, has been with Forestry Mutual since 2010. Gaston Logging was also our 2018 P.K. Pittman Award winner for South Carolina.

Gaston Logging, LLC is an exceptional crew with no in-woods or over-the-road accidents since they have had insurance with FMIC. Mr. Gaston stated that he is very happy with his truck drivers and views himself as fortunate to have such good ones hauling for his crew. Mr. Gaston never worries about how his drivers may conduct themselves at the mill or on the road because he has some very respectful drivers. One of the good ones is Mr. Adlai Durham.

The first thing one notices about Mr. Adlai Durham is that he wears a prosthetic arm (Hook) on his right side. While working with his family, Mr. Durham lost his arm below the elbow in a logging accident several years ago. A tree crushed his arm, causing the doctor to amputate from his elbow down because all the bones were crushed in his forearm and hand. This injury did not slow Mr. Durham down. Mr. Durham has been driving a truck since 1991 but has also worked in the woods and can run every piece of machinery on the job. Mr. Durham ("Hook"), his CB handle, awakes every working day around 4:30 and starts his day. Mr. Durham stated that he drinks 64 oz of coffee each day. He drinks 32 oz before leaving his home and the other 32 oz during the workday. Around 6:15, the crew meets at the job site to get the day started.

Hook is a big fan of the dash cameras used on his truck as he says, "They don't lie."

At lunchtime, the whole crew gathers around a picnic table that goes to every site the crew moves to. They may not sit long at the table, but it gives the crew a sense of togetherness, if only briefly. After lunch, the crew returns to work, and Mr. Durham returns to hauling.

Sometimes, while the truck is being loaded, Mr. Durham likes to get out and take walks down the highway or whatever path may be deemed safe, but never in the woods around working equipment. He says those walks allow him time to clear his head and

give blood flow to the rest of his body after sitting in that truck for an extended period.

Mr. Durham is not the only truck driver in his family. He has two brothers who also drive. Mr. Durham states that he has seen a lot of changes in being on the road for years. Saying courteous drivers are few and far between anymore, and everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. He says cell phone usage prevents people from paying attention and that a truck driver must be on his top game when driving. Mr. Durham also states that not all technology is bad, as he is a big fan of the dash cameras used on his truck as he says, "They don't lie."

When Mr. Durham is not driving, he enjoys spending time with his wife and watching westerns on TV. He and his wife have two children. Mr. Durham says he and his wife just returned from Boston, Mass., to visit the historic city. I asked how his flight was, and he responded, "What flight? We drove." Of course, they drove. I should not have expected anything less from a professional driver.

Mr. Durham (aka Hook) keeps a bag of Jolly Ranchers in his truck, and he saves all the blue ones for Mr. Jack's granddaughters because he knows they are their favorite. Those granddaughters look forward to seeing Mr. Durham pull in to fuel up. They come running out to see him and get their long-awaited Blue Jolly Ranchers. Mr. Durham loves his family, loves his job, and loves to work, but most of all, he loves God.

From all of us at Forestry Mutual, we want to let Mr. Durham know that we really appreciate his professionalism and expertise behind the wheel.