Bob Peterson
Chairman and CEO – Melton Truck Lines Bob Peterson enjoys his morning workouts, but sometimes motivation is needed at such an early hour. “I tell myself that all the other CEOs are in their beds sleeping and I’m going to kick their butts for the rest of the day,” he says with a laugh. Peterson is chairman and CEO of Melton Truck Lines, a company he acquired after moving to Tulsa in 1989. He’s a native of Minnesota who started his career in trucking by obtaining a commercial driver’s license in 1985 – which he maintains to this day. He spent six months as an over-the-road driver. “It’s a blast,” he says. “You gain tremendous respect for the responsibility placed on the drivers and how much they have to concentrate.” Another thing he enjoys is serving as vice chairman of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Commission. He represents 11 counties in northeast Oklahoma’s District 8. “It’s fun learning about roads and bridges and how much they cost,” he says. “Highways and infrastructure impact not only our business, but all of us, and I am happy to lend a hand to that process.” He started his company with 36 employees; today, there are 1,450. “COVID scared people into retirement and we lost a large number of truck drivers,” he says. “We could use several hundred more. The supply chain shortage is still a crisis.” The company has invested heavily in safety technology, says Peterson. About ten years ago, Melton installed cameras in its trucks that shoot forward, and also back at the driver. “It’s saved us lots of money,” he says. “When there are collisions, believe it or not, some people fib about what happened.” Melton invests in employee wellness with a 3,500-square-foot gym and on site medical clinic. About 150 of his drivers have logged more than 1 million miles. In his free time, Peterson likes to golf. He and his wife, Cindy, a writer, enjoy getaways to their lake home. And he stays busy – Peterson holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and is a certified public accountant. He also remains involved in local philanthropic efforts. “I embrace being part of such a philanthropic community as Tulsa,” he says. “I have been involved with the Tulsa Area United Way for many years, and our company rallies around our annual campaign.”
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022
Bob Peterson of Melton Truck Lines says the supply chain shortage is still an issue following COVID-19, but Melton works hard to make the industry attractive to new truckers. Photo courtesy Melton Truck Lines
