Prime Ways | Volume 8 | Issue 1

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

FROM DUBAI TO SPRINGFIELD, THIS PRIME DRIVER HAS STORIES FROM ACROSS THE WORLD.

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THE PRIME DRIVER HEALTH AND FITNESS TEAM IS WORKING ON A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP DRIVERS FIGHT BACK AGAINST DIABETES.

We’re hard at work transforming into the next Oasis where we’ll be looking even more fabulous than before. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

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PRIME WAYS

2740 N. MAYFAIR AVE. SPRINGFIELD, MO 65803 417-866-0001 PRIMEINC.COM MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Clayton Brown MEDIA & ONBOARDING MANAGER J amie Miller RECRUITMENT MARKETING MANAGER Mitchell Coiner

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ETTIE BERNEKING Editor ANNAH CROW Custom Publication Art Director ELISABETH ANDERSON Graphic Designer JAMIE THOMAS Multimedia Editor BRANDON ALMS Photographer LEAH STIEFERMANN Photographer

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Use your Prime Reward Points here!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mary Ellen Chiles, J uliana Goodwin, Sonia Guz man, Peyson Shields, Savannah Wasz cz uk

LOGAN AGUIRRE President/ Publisher MEGAN JOHNSON VP of Custom Publishing AMMIE SCOTT VP of Strategy and Senior Account Executive LANDRA BUNGE Finance Director GARY WHITAKER Founder JOAN WHITAKER Founder

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contents

ON THE COVER Fari Abghari is a Prime driver, and he’s featured on the cover. Thank you for sending in photos, Fari.

PRIME WAYS| |january MARCH2023 2017 Prime Ways

When winter hits, Prime is ready. See p. 16 to see more.

18 SUPER POWERED LOOKS These drivers know how to make a scene on the road—with seriously cool truck designs.

24 LEADERSHIP TRAINING Hats off to Prime’s first class of Bethel University students.

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RAISING OUR VOICES Prime has a new way to make sure its team members are heard— The Technician Advisory Board.

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GLOBE TROTTER

A NUMBERS GAME

Fari Abghari’s job as a driver for Prime is just part of his story. His real passion is travel.

Prime is working on a new way to help its drivers fight diabetes and keep up with their health.

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KEEPING YOUR HEAD UP Meet James Rose—the winner of the Progressive Keys to Progress award.

His inspiration started in 7th grade with an epic failure that paved the way.

ROOTING FOR THE HOME TEAM

14 NO. 3 This truck won’t be breaking any speed records or winning any races, but it’s certainly inspired by a pro.

Even though Emily Plummer was eager to leave her hometown, she and her husband are still showing support from the road.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

Features

PRIME FAMILY

Chat These are the numbers and stats from this issue that blew us away and deserve a little extra attention.

4 INTERNATIONAL TRIPS A YEAR Fari Abghari works hard in order to take time off.

This world traveler spends three months on the road and then takes two weeks off to jet set around the globe. Turn to p. 4 to learn how he plans his schedule, how he ended up in trucking and how he surprises his Prime teammates with souvenirs.

13 YEARS That’s how long Bob Dodson has been driving for Prime. So when he suddenly found himself diagnosed with cancer and unable to drive while receiving treatment, Dodson’s Prime family stepped in to make sure he didn’t lose his truck. Turn to p. 9 to learn more.

14% That’s the percentage of truck drivers who have diabetes. That’s double the percentage of diabetes in the general public. To fight back and give drivers tools to manage their health while on the road, Prime has a new app that makes it easier to eat well.

Turn to p. 10 to learn all about it.

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

15 INCHES The new Peterbilt model 579 Ultraloft features a 15-inch digital dash that shows drivers all the numbers and stats they need. Drivers can customize the screen in order to see the data that’s most helpful to them. Turn to p. 17 to learn about all the new features showing up Peterbilt, Freightliner and International trucks.

THE LOW

down

W

e talk a lot about our Prime family and deservedly so.

Supporting every member of the Prime family is at the core of what we stand for as a company. Our associates can build careers here, but they can also build themselves personally.

Prime is dedicated to helping our associates succeed, whether that means helping them go back to school or providing them opportunities to lead and grow professionally. This issue is full of examples of how we re doin hi a ri e rn o o ee he ver fir cla o graduates to complete Bethel U niversity’s Advanced Leadership Training Program. Prime covered the cost of tuition for each Prime student, and I was especially proud to shake hands with every single graduate. On p. 32, you’ll learn about the new Technician Advisory Board and how TAB is making sure all of our skilled and talented technicians have their voices heard and good ideas implemented as Prime grows.

As we start a new year, there’s a lot to be excited about at Prime, but one thing we’re always celebrating is our company’s ability to support our own team. We wouldn’t be here without all of you, so when we get a chance to help you reach your goals, that’s worth investing in and celebrating.

K eep up the good work.

Robert Low Prime Inc., C E O & F ounder

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LIFE | FEBRUARY 2023

spotlight

AROUND THE

WORLD Fari Abghari joined Prime after he retired from his first career, and now he’s able to pursue one of his greatest passions—travel.

BY JULIANA GOODWIN

F

ari Abghari has crested sand dunes in Dubai. He’s straddled a camel wobbling through desert sand, and he’s watched the sunset in Thailand.

“I’ve always loved to travel,” he says. “I strongly believe it is the biggest investment you can give yourself.” When he’s not off on an overseas adventure, Abghari is a lease operator at Prime. But this is his second career. Abghari was born in Iran and immigrated to the U nited States at a young age. He grew up in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from Eastern Washington U niversity with a master’s degree. For the next 35 years, Abghari owned Domino’s piz z a franchises.

Then in 201 5, he retired from Domino’s and took his three sons on a trip around the world. They visited Thailand, Vietnam, The U nited Arab Emirates, Germany and more. Within nine months, Abghari had a revelation: “I realiz ed it was way too early for me to retire,” he says. A friend of his worked at Prime and recruited Abghari.

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He decided to give it a try, and it did not take long for Prime to win him over.

In 201 6 , he became a lease operator, and he says he still loves the company. There are so many things he loves about Prime, fir and ore o , i he eo le love the people I work with,” he says. “They are like family. Especially the people at the Salt Lake City terminal. I love every single one I work with. Brian Singleton’s extreme motivation and caring attitude toward the staff in Salt Lake City resonates with me and everyone here. I have been fortunate to have Lance Brightshue and J ohn reenlee a ee ana er , and he have been great in helping me reach my personal goals.”

Speaking of goals, Abghari became a trainer so he could help new operators succeed. “I love training and enjoy mentoring people into a rewarding career,” he says. “I usually talk to my students about travel bein one o he hidden enefi o r ck driving. There are unlimited gorgeous sunsets and sunrises.”

As a man who loves to travel, that is an amaz ing perk of the job. “I have never seen beautiful America like I have seen driving for Prime,” Abghari says. His favorite part of the world is southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. “I love the people, the culture and the food,” he says. “People are really nice in that part of the world. In other parts of the world, I keep my guard up, but there, they are always nice.”

Abghari is known around Prime for the souvenirs he brings back from his journeys to share with fellow Prime team members.

From postcards to keychains and other trinkets, he always remembers his Prime family. “I love doing it because people appreciate it so much,” he says. Abghari is usually on the road for three months, then takes two weeks off for an overseas adventure. This allows him about four trips abroad a year, which he says is another perk of working for Prime. It’s hard for him to imagine another company with that kind o e i le ched le

FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORIES: Taking a desert safari in Dubai.

You take four-wheelers through the desert, riding over sand dunes, and it’s a little like riding a roller coaster. Then you end up in tents in the middle of the desert and have dinner.

Food markets and floating markets in Vietnam. Vietnam is home to many floating markets on different parts of the Mekong Delta. From canoes, people sell fresh fruits, vegetables and many other products.

The most impressive thing I have seen is The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world. It is 2,722 feet.

There is a shopping mall inside.

People parachute off the top. The atmosphere is awesome.

Photography. I love photography and take photos of my trips.

Photos courtesy Fari Abghari

Having tea and Turkish pastries and playing backgammon in alleyways of Istanbul.

Skiing indoors when it’s 100 degrees outside in Dubai.

Sharing local food in East Asia with family.

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veteran spotlight In each issue of Prime Ways, we take a moment to highlight the veterans and service members who work at Prime. This issue, we salute Frank Wentz and Michael Jones. If you know a veteran who deserves some time in the spotlight, email us at communications@primeinc.com.

Frank Wentz Director of the Parts department in Salt lake city

“We were not allowed to fire artillery on the island of Okinawa, so every time we were trained, we deployed elsewhere in Asia. It was pretty cool. We went to the Philippines, Thailand and mainland Japan,” —Frank Wentz

Military History: Salt Lake City Parts Manager Frank Wentz graduated high school a semester early and joined the Marines, and he didn’t waste a minute.

He finished school on a Friday and entered boot camp the following Monday. Wentz worked in field artillery and spent a year in Okinawa, Japan.

“We were not allowed to fire artillery on the island of Okinawa, so every time we were trained, we deployed elsewhere in Asia. It was pretty cool.

We went to the Philippines, Thailand and mainland Japan,” he says. After that, Wentz served in two tours of Iraq and trained in Kuwait for a couple of months. He completed his service in 2005, and once he returned to civilian life, Wentz wasn’t quite sure what to do next. To figure out his career, Wentz cast a wide net. “You’re applying for everything you find that you think you could do,” he says. When Prime reached back out to him, he scheduled an interview, and joined right away.

Prime Service: Wentz joined Prime in 2005 and first worked in the security department. He later went on to run the plaza at Prime’s Salt Lake City terminal from 2013 until 2017. After that, he switched to lead the parts department. He credits his time in the military with helping him succeed at Prime, where he has worked for 17 years. He has no plans to leave anytime soon.

“Discipline and attention to detail helped me be noticed and move up at Prime pretty quickly,” he says. “A lot of people ask, ‘Well, what’s making you stick around Prime?’ I don’t have it in my brain to quit anything that I started,” he says.

Michael jones

“It was something to jumpstart my life because I was going down a real bad path and needed to change.”

—Michael Jones 6

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Military History: Michael Jones knew he needed to do something new when he joined the Marines. “It was something to jumpstart my life because I was going down a bad path and needed to change,” he says. Jones had an idea of what to expect because his dad spent 24 years in the Navy. His dad chose to stay at one base, which meant Jones spent his formative years in California. But Jones welcomed the chance to travel. He served from 2002 to 2012 and deployed to Fallujah twice, as well as Baghdad. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and that included six months in Manilla.

When it came time to leave the service, Jones had a good idea of what he wanted to do next. “I had a feeling that I enjoyed driving,” he says. “I told everyone I was going to be a trucker, and they laughed at me. They didn’t think it was a good career path.”

Prime Service: His sister, though, predicted he would drive because as a child he loved movies and shows with semitrucks. Jones applied to several places, but heard back from Prime within a day. “I liked how they were structured toward safety and family,” he says. “That’s what has kept me staying with them this long.”

He also appreciates that he can learn what he needs to at the company. “They’re very educated and very informative. If they don’t know the answer to something I ask about, they always give me someone who knows the answer,” he says.

Now he tries to pass that knowledge along as a TNT instructor. He also appreciates that Prime helps him get home to see his 15-year-old daughter in Fargo, North Dakota. “If you need to go home to see your family, they get you home at a reasonable time,” he says.

Photos courtesy Michael Jones, Frank Wentz

TNT Instructor

words from the field

CONTINUING THE MISSION

A SHOW OF

SUPPORT Each year, Prime donates to causes that are near and dear to the company’s heart. This is a look back at some of the biggest donations Prime made in 2022.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

$126,000+

James Rose won Progressive’s Keys to Progress award in 2022, which honors veterans and comes with a new truck and $50,000. Rose’s path to success wasn’t easy, but he stayed focused and found his way.

AS TOLD TO ETTIE BERNEKING BY JAMES ROSE

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

Photos courtesy Michael Jones, Frank Wentz

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hen I got a call about being considered for Progressive’s K eys to Progress Award, I was excited to share my story and make my family proud— especially my mom; who is looking down on me.

I’m the oldest son of 1 2 children, and that comes with a lot of responsibility. When I was held back in 7 th grade, I know I disappointed my family. The day I got my report card, I sunk down to the floorboard of the car. My mother told me to sit up and tell my friends how dumb I was. Talk about tough love. It was the best discipline and motivation I got in my life because I wasn’t dumb.

I thought my path to success was through sports, so I was focused on that instead of my homework. I was so disappointed in myself. Though I was only 1 3, I applied for the Marines.

I learned you have to be 1 7 , so I reapplied when I graduated. I was 1 9 and got in. The whole thing was an embarrassing experience, but it ensured I stayed focused. I was in the service for 30.5 years and went from an E1 to an E6 staff sergeant

( enlisted) , warrant officer to chief warrant officer three and then from captain to Lt. Colonel.

I made up a q uote when I was a drill instructor. “In order to stay in the fight, you first have to be in it.” I was living my advice in the 7 th grade and didn’t know it. After leaving the Marines, I wanted something that still had boots on the ground, so I got my CDL. Doing this, I can continue to serve and can encourage fellow veterans to consider the industry.

My plan is to create a fleet of my own under Prime where my drivers are veterans or spouses or kids of veterans. I have one truck on my fleet already. My first employee is my cousin who is also a Marine veteran.

I shared all of this with the staff of K eys To Progress team. When they told me I was selected to be the recipient of the 2022 K eys to Progress award and was getting a truck, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions.

This blessing will not only bless me and my family it will also bless so many others. This has truly expedited my plan to build my own fleet for sure “The mission continues.” That’s what comes to mind for me.

Prime donated more than $ 1 26 ,000 to ro ra and non rofi near rin field, Missouri. That included donations to I Pour Life, which empowers and eq uips at-risk youth and foster kids. It also donated to rin field lic chool , he i o ri or all o a e, and he Cri i r er of the Oz arks, which provides safety, refuge and resources to children suffering from child abuse and neglect.

$10,000

Prime donated $ 1 0,000 to its Good Dads program. Prime Good Dads supports drivers and families with information, training and resources designed to help them strengthen their connection and improve their communication.

$75,000

he A erican Cancer ocie received , ro ri e in he AC i on a mission to free the world from cancer.

The organiz ation funds and conducts research on cancer while also supporting patients and spreading the word about cancer prevention.

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week in the life

FREEZE: IT’s time to talk about snow Snow can be a real pain for any driver, so to keep Prime trucks safe, clean and running on schedule, the three main Prime terminals use a variety of techniques to keep the bays clear of snow and ice.

BY MARY ELLEN CHILES

Prime’s Salt Lake City terminal is frequently blanketed in snow each winter, but heated pavement helps keep the ice and snow at bay.

S a lt L a k e C ity :

Springfield:

Pi t t s t o n :

Mike Seidel is the Maintenance Supervisor at Prime in Salt Lake City, and with the mountains not far off, he is always ready for snow storms. Luckily, he says snow has been less of a problem recently. “The last couple of years, we’ve only had two or three major storms where we spent all day plowing,” Seidel says. “It’s been kind of dry but we still get our share.”

A he ri e head ar er in rin field, snow removal is overseen by Director of Maintenance Mark Piley. Here, the team has many ways to keep snow at bay including a mix of radiant heat and forced air heating systems to help melt snow at all the docks.

In Pennsylvania, snow can be freq uent and intense. Terminal Manager Rick Yarborough says the team in Pittston has lots of tools to keep the bays safe, including plow trucks with salt spreaders, a loader to move snow at the training pad, and push gasoline snow blowers.

To make life a little easier for the team when snow does come around, the Salt Lake er inal wa de i ned o have oor ha slope slightly, so melted snow funnels into drains by the doors. Outside, Seidel and his team use a Polaris Ranger to keep the yard clean. “It’s a U TV with a small plow that we use for tighter spaces in the yard,” he says.

“We have our local landscaping contractor do all our major snow plowing and major ice melt treatment on an as-needed basis,” Piley says. “They are available for callout on a 24-hour, 7 -days-a-week basis.” If the snow is light enough, the facility maintenance team will grab the shovels and scrape ice off sidewalks, stairs and entrances. They work together to q uickly make the spaces clean and safe. “When a snow or ice event occurs, it is all hands on deck,” Piley says.

“We remove dirty and piled up snow with backhoes and dump it in our retention ponds,” Yarborough says. They also rely on hea ed oor in he wa h a and de ail bays, and shovel by hand in small areas near gates and doors.

1. Carry extra blankets or a heavy-duty sleeping bag.

2. Keep extra food and water in your vehicle. You never know when you’ll need it.

3. Pack a snow shovel in case you need to dig yourself out of the snow.

4. Keep a portable phone charger with you.

5. Keep snow tire chains on your truck during the winter. States have different requirements for chains, so be sure to be aware of the rules. For instance, Colorado requires drivers to carry snow chains September through May. 8

PRIME WAYS

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

Winter Driving Safety Tips:

close to home

FIGHTING BACK When Prime driver Bob Dodson was diagnosed with cancer, his Prime team stepped in to help.

BY MARY ELLEN CHILES

Photo courtesy Bob Dodson

R

obert “Bob” Dodson was happily trucking along when he found a lump on his chest. He tried to ignore it but found it kept growing.

It didn’t feel right.

“It wasn’t going away and it just got bigger and bigger,” he says. “That’s when I decided, ‘Okay, I’m done. I can’t do this no more.’” When Dodson went to the doctor in J uly, he was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma and began radiation and chemo the next week. If everything goes according to plan, he should be done with treatment at the end of 2022. It’s something he says he’s defini el lookin orward o Dodson is based in Tennessee, but he a ed in rin field, i o ri, or hi rea en a erc o i al he idea o in to K noxville or N ashville for each infusion didn o nd a ealin , and in rin field, he onl ile ro erc o i al Dodson has been driving for Prime for 1 3 years. He says he tried retirement when he

turned 6 5, but it didn’t stick. He was bored and went back to work after 1 5 months. “I was sitting at home, and I said, ‘I gotta get back out on the road,’” Dodson says. He fir oined ri e eca e a riend worked there and raved about the company. “Once I got here, I found a home,” he says.

Dodson also relied on the company’s family atmosphere after his diagnosis.

Since Dodson can’t drive while he’s undergoing treatment, he was worried he’d lose his truck. That’s when a good friend stepped in and asked another driver to take over Dodson’s truck until he recovers.

In the meantime, Dodson is staying at he a i o el in rin field, which i near ri e rin field head ar er he have been outstanding here,” he says. “If there’s anything I need, I don’t have any problem getting it.”

One staff member brought him a care acka e on hi fir da o rea en ow they all check on him nearly every day, and

Dodson likes to visit Prime when he’s feeling up to it.

“I check in and tell them I’m okay, I’m ill alive,” he a od on re en l alk with friends and family, but says having people nearby also lifts his spirits. “When you’re sitting here alone, and you know someone’s checking on you, making sure you’re okay: it makes a difference,” he says.

A er fini hin rea en od on ho e o keep working toward his 2-million-mile goal. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere,” he says with a laugh.

And since he’s here for the long run, he has some people he wants to thank. “I want to say thanks to everyone for everything they’ve done,” he says. “And guys, don’t wait too long if you spot something with your health that isn’t right. Get it taken care of. You wait around and say, ‘I can handle this! ’ Well. Sometimes you can’t do it on your own. I just about waited too long.

I’m glad I didn’t.”

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wellness

WELLNESS | FEBRUARY 2023

MANAGE AND PREVENT A new program rolling out to Prime drivers is geared toward the management and prevention of a common health condition: diabetes.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

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PRIME WAYS

ting. Additionally, there are also diabetic-friendly worko video crea ed ri e rainer a d ha are ecificall ro ra ed o ili e he lar e a o n o excess glucose in the blood.

“Within each lesson there is also a topic each week for participants to discuss together on our forum,” Dreher says. “A DHF team member is also available during the work week to talk with drivers, and everyone will have a nutrition consultation with me to talk more in-depth about their habits and nutrient needs.”

The DHF team is currently recruiting participants for their pilot program, which launches this spring. earnin ro he fir ro nd will e ada ed in o a permanent program for any driver whose HbA1 c falls into the pre-diabetic or diabetic range, or who already has a diagnosis of diabetes. o are in ere ed in he ia e e ana e en and reven ion ro ra , o can fill o a rve on the DHF website.

SCAN ME!

Photos courtesy Freestyle Libre

I

f you just look at the numbers, diabetes is more prevalent in the trucking industry.

N early 1 4% of truck drivers have diabetes compared to 7 % for the working population in the U nited States, according to a 201 5 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It was this stat plus plenty of driver stories that showed Rachel Dreher that something needed to be done. Dreher is Prime’s Driver Health and Fitness (D HF) Registered Dietitian and N utritionist, and she wanted to create something that would help drivers manage— and hopefully avoid— diabetes. She’s developed a program that provides education and resources to help drivers make long-lasting lifestyle changes.

“In the program, the driver goes through learning modules, workouts and prompts to give feedback or sign up for touch points to get advice,” Dreher says. The key to the program is its accessibility— the 1 2-week program is accessible through the DHF website and can be accessed 24/ 7 .

“Drivers start by getting baseline blood work done by rini eal hcare, hen headin o he o fice or orien a ion in rin field, i o ri,” reher a “We will provide all participants with a Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitor, and the Libre app. Then, the driver is ready to go and follow the learning modules each week.”

The learning modules consist of lessons broken down into topics that include education about the macros, environmental factors that affect blood glucose, timing of eal , enefi o ac ivi , ro le olvin and oal e -

VANILLA BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

recipes

Ingredients: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (McCrae uses a vegan powder that is preservative-free) 8 oz almond milk 1 tsp. chia seed 1 tsp. flaxseed ¼ tsp. clove (or substitute cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or ginger) Handful of peanuts (optional) Directions: Mix until smooth in a blender and enjoy.

Experiment by adding fresh or frozen fruit and different spices.

Laura McCrae makes this breakfast smoothie with a small blender she can power through her truck’s cigarette lighter.

recipes

GOOD FOOD, TO GO To keep her weight down but her income up, driver Laura McCrae worked with the Prime Health and Fitness team to come up with truck-friendly recipes and cooking techniques.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

Photo by Ettie Berneking

L

aura McCrae was working at a bank in Las Vegas when she suddenly gained weight. Like many people, she had an underlying health condition that triggered it. “When I got my thyroid messed up, I gained so much weight in so little time. It was unbelievable,” she says. Turns out, the weight gain was caused by thyroid cancer.

Thankfully, she had surgery and is now cancer-free, but the weight gain showed McCrae how different life could be if she didn’t keep up with her health. “I felt very tired and sleepy, and my knees were hurting,” she says. “I didn’t like that my clothes were no fi in ” hile workin a he ank, McCrae worked with a nutritionist who helped McCrae develop healthier eating habits. When McCrae switched careers and

joined Prime, she wanted to keep up with those dietary changes while on the road.

A fir , he worried he wo ld ain weight while driving. After all, her nutritionist had helped her plan meals she could make at home, not on a truck. “I was so afraid because I didn’t want to gain more weight. I heard that you met people that were skinny, and then after two years they gained like 1 00 pounds. I refuse to gain that much weight,” McCrae says. McCrae was so careful about her diet when she got behind the wheel that she lived off rice, tuna and o a oe a fir hen he reached o o Rachel Dreher for help.

Dreher is a licensed registered dietician with the Driver Health and Fitness program at Prime, and she helped McCrae come up with meals that were nutritious and easily

made. The key was getting the right cooking accessories. McCrae bought a small skillet, an air fryer and a blender she could plug into the cigarette lighter. She eats kale and spinach salads with as many colors as possible: tomatoes, avocado, boiled egg, carrots, celery and cilantro. She will also eat meat but just a small portion.

“Sometimes, I want a hamburger with a little bit of French fries too, so I get a small portion of it,” she says. McCrae has learned to listen to her body and trust her cravings. he recen l craved clove while fi h in an ear infection and later learned that clove is a natural antibiotic. “I learned that your body asks you for what your body needs,” she says. And what she needs in the morning is a q uick boost of protein. This is her go-to protein shake recipe.

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Learn more: driverhealthandfitness.com

TRUCKS & TECH | FEBRUARY 2023

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PRIME WAYS

how we roll

number three This truck pays tribute to a racing legend and a personal hero.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

F

or J oe and N icolle Arsenault, picking a theme for their truck was a no brainer.

“If we were going to design our truck, it had to be Dale Earnhardt Sr. themed,” says J oe, an Owner Operator for Prime’s Refrigerated Division. “My wife, N icolle, and I are huge fans.”

The love of N ASCAR runs deep for the Arsenaults.

Both J oe and N icolle have raced recreationally. “I got fir race car when wa on h old,” icolle says. “We called it the N ickelodeon.”

After a lifetime of loving the sport, it made perfect sense the couple would use N ASCAR as the backbone or he de i n o heir fir r ck ha wa ore han three years ago, and now they have a new truck and a new design. This time around, the design honors Dale Earnhardt. “I get a lot of looks, waves and people slowing down to take pictures,” J oe says. “I have even had

people follow the truck to truck stops to ask if they can ake ic re ” i fir r ck de i n wa o o lar i even made it to a race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

While the design’s recogniz able theme is bound to catch your eye, it’s a small decal that draws the most meaning for J oe and N icolle. “The side window is my favorite part,” J oe says. “N icolle’s dad passed away earlier this year, and he was a big part of our lives.” A cursive decal with her dad’s name, J ames Harper, is thoughtfully placed on the sleeper cab window.

“We called him our ‘Weather Man,’” N icolle says. “He would watch our route and let us know the weather and wha o e ec wi h ra fic ean a lo o have ade him part of this design.” When J oe and N icolle ordered the truck, they talked through the design with J ames.

It’s clear his memory is on the road with J oe and N icolle through every storm and detour.

BOLD DESIGN

The front hood is draped in a checkered a decal o re re en winnin he race and cro in he fini h line This portion of the design was from an idea N icolle’s dad, J ames Harper, came up with.

Photos courtesy Joe Arsenault

TRUE FANS

The bottom of the truck side features The Intimidator in bold, block lettering. “If I was going to have a Dale arnhard r he e, i wa onl fi ting to include his nickname,” says J oe. “We had to have the name on there! ”

IN LOVING MEMORY

To honor N icolle’s dad, who passed away in 2022, the couple added J ames’ name to the design of their truck. J ames hel ed crea e he final de i n of the Arsenaults’ truck.

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new on the app LET IT SNOW With drivers on the road rain or shine, dealing with inclement weather is part of the job for the Prime team. When it comes to snow, keeping trucks and terminals free of snow isn’t just about convenience. It’s about safety.

BY REN BISHOP

U

tah is no stranger to snow, and neither is Chris Scoggan, the Salt Lake City Wash and Detail Foreman who has been based out of this Prime terminal for 1 8 years. hen wea her and a ee o r ck roll in, Scoggan and the rest of the SLC team are eq uipped to clear snow and ice. “The terminal ha hea ed oor , which ake i nice for the techs working on trucks and trailers and outside the bay doors,” he says. “The sidewalks around the amenities building are also heated to help keep the ice off so we don’t have anyone getting hurt.” In addition, the terminal has a truck with a plow to remove snow and a salter to disperse ice melt to treat non-heated areas like the parking lot.

When it’s time to get on the road, Prime trucks take an extra step to make sure there isn’t any snow hidden on top of the trailer. Having ice or packed snow falling off

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PRIME WAYS

a moving truck can be dangerous to other drivers and vehicles. It’s also a legal issue for drivers. Ensuring your truck and trailer are cleared before hitting the highway is a must, and something staff at all Prime terminals are ready to assist with.

“If you are at any of the Prime terminals, we can help you get the snow off your truck and trailer,” Scoggan says. To make it a little safer to shovel snow off the top of a trailer, Prime rolls a set of stairs up to the vehicle and often brings out a pressure washer.

Ensuring your truck and trailer are snowfree is not only a must from a safety standpoint, it also helps keep your weight down and makes sure your truck isn’t off balance.

Arriving safely, especially during the winter, is a top priority for the Prime team. If you are out on the road and need assistance with clearing your truck of snow or ice, call road a i he will hel o find a lace to get snow and ice removed.

BY SHAUN RYKER No one enjoys filing their taxes, and it can be extra-complicated when you’re a lease operator. To make things easier, Prime’s IT team came up with a way to help. They created a folder on the Prime mobile app where drivers and in-house associates can find all their necessary tax forms.

Your W2, 1099, 1099-INT are all available on the app. To access them go to My Prime, tap the three lines in the top right corner, go to My Pages, then Tax Documents.

In fact, you can find all your tax documents for the past eight years on the app! Once you’ve found the documents you need, you can choose to view, download or email them.

Prime can also connect its team members with certified CPA’s, and it has lots of helpful info about common tax questions on its website. If you need a quick refresher on some of the most FAQ regarding taxes in the industry, scan the QR code below.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

maintenance

Tax season is almost here. The good news is the Prime mobile app can make gathering all your documents a whole lot easier.

tech update

new and improved Take a look at the newest models to hit the Prime fleet.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

Peterbilt - Model 579 Ultraloft Exterior Upgrades: · The hood is lower and more narrow for improved aerodynamics. · The side view door mirrors are now mounted on the cab and re-designed to be more aerodynamic. · N ew LED fog lights have a longer lifespan and improved visibility and are included in the standard package.

Photo courtesy Peterbilt

Mechanical Upgrades: · Peterbilt’s new collision safety system includes lane departure alerts, and if a driver is going faster than the posted speed, the cruise control setting will take the throttle away for a second to alert you to your speed. · The new model features an MX 1 3 engine odel wi h i roved el e ficienc and torq ue curve.

Interior Upgrades:

Interior Upgrades:

· A new digital dash is 1 5 inches wide and can be customiz ed to display the information each driver needs. · Dash controls have now been added to the steering wheel.

· Midnight is the new standard interior color scheme. Drivers can also choose slate gray or saddle tan. · Sleeper curtains are magnetic instead of velcro for a q uieter sleep for team drivers.

Freightliner - Cascadia P4

International - LT

Exterior Upgrades:

Exterior Upgrades:

ew ow elow wheel cover ha hel i prove the truck’s aerodynamics

· The aerodynamic package has been imroved and now ea re filler ri on he front fender to close the gap between the hood and the tires. · The truck’s front valance is lower to the ro nd o red ce air ow nder he r ck · Exterior doors have been strengthened so drivers can use them for help lifting themselves into the truck.

Mechanical Upgrades: · The P4 features a Gen. 5 engine, which boasts a 3% better fuel economy.

A ran i ion i a ore el e ficien odel and onl ha one fil er in he after-treatment system, which saves drivers money on maintenance. · A new lightweight radiator mount reduces the truck’s weight by 1 8 pounds. · Disc brakes are standard on the Steer axle and an option for the rear/ drive axles and offer a q uieter and smoother stop. · Assurance 5.0 radar system sees a wider area including road signs and offers pedestrian alerts to keep everyone safe. · The P4 comes with the “Brake Hold Mode.”

This eases the strain of driving in stop-andgo-traffic by allowing the driver to “hold” the brake down without constantly applying pressure to the brake pedal.

Mechanical Upgrades: · The new LT model is an 1 1 -speed direct drive, which allows for a higher gear ratio in the differentials and lowers the RPM. · OnCommand Connection allows drivers to download parameters changes, and software updates when cell service is available.

Interior Upgrades: · Cabinet doors and walls have been reinforced and make less noise. · Improved sound insulation inside the cab for a q uieter ride.

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Trick My Truck:

Prime Edition Meet three Prime drivers who have tricked out their rides using family inspirations, big imaginations and a whole lot of heart.

Photo courtesy Prime Inc. TK

BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK

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PRIME WAYS

The colorful Captain America truck belongs to Prime driver Jerry Clayton.

PRIME WAYS

19

Jerr y Clayton Truck Theme: Captain America Inspiration for the Design:

J erry’s grandson, who

loves Captain America.

Prime Ways: How long have you been driving with Prime?

Jerry Clayton: I’ve been driving with my CDL for going on six years now.

Prime: How did you become interested in driving?

J.C.: I got tired of living day-to-day and not being able to afford a house of my own. I was working at a lumber mill, and I had a buddy that was into trucking. He had a nice house and a nice truck, and his wife didn’t work. I was like, “Hey, do you really make that much money driving a truck? ” Well, he showed me how much he was making, and I went home and told my wife. I said, “Honey, I’m going to truck-driving school.”

Prime: How did you choose your truck’s theme?

J.C.: My main inspiration was my grandson, who

loves Captain America. Also, I’m former military— I was in the U .S. N avy— and my dad was in the U .S. Army.

Prime: How does your grandson like it?

J.C.: Oh, he just absolutely loves it. I got to surprise him—

I went to his school and picked him up, and he had no idea I was coming. As soon as I saw him, I blew the air horn, and he just came out running and smiling.

Prime: How did you come up with the design?

J.C.: The sides have a huge Captain America

shield on them, and that was the start of it all. The hood has the Captain America Avengers logo on it and says Captain America. I originally had a picture of Captain America there, but it wasn’t doing the truck justice, so I made a few changes before I signed off.

Prime: Did you carry the theme to the truck’s interior?

J.C.: I put in cup coasters that have the Captain America

Prime: What kind of reactions does the truck get?

J.C.: N o matter where I go, people are always taking pictures of it. K ids love it. They’re always pointing and waving at me and wanting me to pump the horn. I’ve also had managers, shippers and receivers take pictures of it. One guy even went home to pick up his wife and kids and brought them back to see it. And one time it helped get me unloaded

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PRIME WAYS

q uicker. Some guys were taking pictures, then they said, “Go ahead and pull in this door.” I wasn’t supposed to get nloaded or ano her o r ho r defini el ha i erk

Prime: What’s your best memory with this truck?

J.C.: I’d say my favorite thing so far is that I was asked to participate in our hometown Christmas parade on December 3 back in my hometown of Lake Park, Georgia.

Prime: What advice would you share with drivers planning a custom truck design? a basic idea of what you want, and make it something you’re passionate about or something that really means a lot to you.

J.C.: Have

Photos by Ettie Berneking

shield in them, and I have Avengers seat covers. I keep an A erican a olded in he wind hield in re e rance o military members, but especially my dad. I also have a red, white and blue headset, and I have customiz ed door lights for the doors— they shine big Captain America shields on the ground. My wife also got me customiz ed red, white and blue bedding, and I’m getting customiz ed seat covers.

William Ardoin Truck Theme: Godz

illa

Inspiration for the Design: A good old Google search Prime Ways: How long have you been driving with Prime?

William Ardoin: It’s been a little more than two years.

Prime: How did you become interested in driving?

W.A.: It all started when I was a kid. I always loved trucks, and I met a guy at a store one time who offered to let me go on his truck and look around. My grandparents said it was okay, and I just loved it. From that time, I’ve wanted to be a part of it. I knew that one day I’d have to at least see what driving was like.

Then, when the time presented itself, I took it and ran with it.

Prime: How did you choose your truck’s theme?

W.A.: The idea for Godz illa really came spur of the moment for me. When I ordered this truck purple, I had plans to make it a Lakers theme, but I saw a lot of Lakers trucks. I was looking on Google for inspiration, and the idea for Godz illa came to my head out of the blue. I found this picture and liked the way the colors looked with my truck, so I took it to Stripes and Stuff.

Prime: Have you always liked G odz illa? w.a.: Yeah, I’ve liked Godz illa since I was a kid. Back then I’d watch TV with my grandparents, and I remember they put it on, and I didn’t have control over the remote back then, so I had to watch! But then I got to liking it.

Prime: Do you plan on adding to the design?

W.A.: I’m still not done with the truck, to be honest with you.

I’m going to add more graphics. Godz illa’s slogan is “K ing of the Monsters,” and I am thinking about putting that on each side. I’m also going to put a picture of Godz illa looking mad on the hood.

Prime: Did you carry the theme to the truck’s interior?

W.A.: ill workin on ha wan ea cover , oor and a co or er e ha a che Godz illa, that would be great.

he o

ide

a can find

Prime: What kind of reactions does the truck get?

W.A.: I can almost say that every receiver and shipper

has reactions to it. There are always people taking pictures. Some people recogniz e Godz illa, some people don’t, but once I tell them, they always see it. At Blue Beacon, the truck wash, I had one guy say, “Dude, this is one of the best, baddest trucks I’ve ever seen come through! ” On the highway, people are always blowing horns— even other truck drivers. One driver made a signal for me to put my radio on, so I got on my CB, and he started telling me how great my truck looks.

Prime: What advice would you share with another driver who is planning a custom truck design?

W.A.: Be sure to love the idea. When you think of it, you’ll know that it’s the one. You can just feel it. You won’t second guess it. You’ll know.

Photos courtesyPrime William Photo courtesy Inc.Ardoin

William Ardoin originally ordered his purple truck with plans to turn it into a Lakers design.

Now, the truck features Godzilla.

PRIME WAYS

21

he ri in hi claw in o he ide o eno we n he ider an ide, like he win in o he r ck

Inspiration for the Design: A 6

-year-old Marvel fan

Prime Ways: How long have you been driving with Prime?

JAVIER TROCHE: hi i fir ear wi h ri e e ore hi , ed o drive ed

o

r ck

Prime: How did you become interested in driving?

J.T.: dad ed o drive when wa o n er, and

ve alwa een aro nd i ne da woke and aid, o know wha , oin o do i ” wi e aid, o re ar , o can do wha ever o wan ” And did i called ri e, he old e o co e on down, and a on h la er wa here

Prime: How did you choose your truck’s theme?

J.T.: - ear-old on i alwa o ha when

co e ho e, and he a i arvel an e o h love arvel, and we o h love ovie did hi he e o re re en a ond eween e and hi wan hi o know ha ad a no e ho e, ad ill hinkin a o hi did i or e or ha rea on, oo or o h o o have o e hin ha reind o each o her

Prime: What do you love about the truck’s design?

J.T.: like a do le-ed e word r ck n he hood, i ace o hal eno , hal ider an he and eno i lack hen, on he ide,

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PRIME WAYS

a ider an i red, eno look like

Prime: Did you carry the theme to the truck’s interior?

J.T.: lanke and illow cover are c o - ade how eno

ver

he

ider an

Prime: What kind of reactions does the truck get?

J.T.: ver i e in he r ck o , e no hin h ro o her driver e old ladie and o n kid lowin heir horn a e and ivin e h like a cele ri when o on he road knew kid wo ld love i , didn know ad l wo ld love i hi ch

Prime: What’s your favorite memory with the truck?

J.T.: hen icked r ck, i wa like a drea r e eein wha ca e ro o where i e he e hin ha ha ened o ri e o ened o an door or a le o rovide or he like never have deci ion ve ever ade, and ro d o i ever i e o here

co e a in ch a hor e wa co in o a il ve een e ore he e ha wh ive

Prime: What advice would you share with another driver who is planning a custom truck design?

J.t.: e o e hin ha o re oin o like and o e hin ha o re oin o e ro d o ho ld e o e hin ha o iva e o or in ire o o re in o r r ck a lo , and i al o a re re en a ion o o and o ri e e o e hin ha ake o ha

Photo courtesy Javier Troche

Truck Theme: Spiderman vs. Venom

r ck, and here are have ider an in

Photo courtesy Javier Troche

Javier Troche

Photo courtesy Javier Troche

Before joining Prime one year ago, Javier drove box trucks for FedEx.

PRIME WAYS

23

CONGRATS TO THE GRADS Prime teamed up with Bethel University to offer a special leadership training program to Prime associates. At the end of 2022, the first class of Prime graduates completed the program.

Here’s what some of them learned and how the program has helped them already.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

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PRIME WAYS

Frank Wentz

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

There were a few courses that taught me to think like a leader. I learned to think critically and to consider every aspect of any decision I make.

How did you balance your education at Bethel with your work/family schedule? alancin ched le wa di fic l he e hel ro ra ook a lo o i e ha wo ld have normally spent with my family. Hats off to my wife for putting up with me spending so much time in the basement writing essays.

Brent Crawford

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

One of the most important things I have learned that has helped me professionally, is to look at problems from every angle and to keep the big picture in mind.

What was something you struggled with early on in the program?

I had been out of school for close to 1 5 years, and it was clear that my writing skills were rusty a fir , once had a ew a er nder el i eca e ch ea ier o wri e a er and complete my assignments.

Roxann Dunmire

What did you hope to learn through the Bethel program?

I wanted to gain a better understanding of business and improve communication skills.

How do you think the program will help you in your job at Prime?

I have a better understanding of supply chain and logistics now. This helps with understanding how management and leadership works at Prime.

What did it feel like to finish the program and gather for the awards ceremony?

It was awesome! It was nice to be able to meet the classmates I attended class with.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

Nicholas Wills

What did it feel like to finish the program and gather for the awards ceremony?

I felt very accomplished. I never wanted to go to collage because I was not a big fan of school.

But over the years, I saw education would be necessary for a management position. When this program was offered I knew it was a great opportunity .

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

The most important thing I learned was how to balance my time and to make “list” of how to proceed with different tasks

PRIME WAYS

25

Robert Agan

Jacob Hill

How did you balance your education at Bethel with your work/family schedule? ha wa he o di fic l ar o he whole hin Time management, I have a full-time job and 2-yearold a ho e o wa re ched hin or o e i e wa all wor h i lookin ack now

How do you think the program will help you in your job at Prime? hel e deal wi h o her ore and nder and di eren er ec ive

What advice do you have for someone at Prime who is thinking of going through the program? wo ld ell he o o or i , and e a ood co or a ho e no a la o like had

er

What advice do you have for someone at Prime who is thinking of going through the program?

Allow o r el len o i e o co le e he ho ework correc l

Brandon Gray

Cody Hurst

What did it feel like to finish the program and gather for the awards ceremony? hen we fini hed he ro ra , had a en e o acco li h en fini hed o e hin never ho h co ld do a he fir in a il wi h an kind o ed ca ion a a hi h chool di lo a

What was the most important thing you learned? rea e i rove en wa o end ore i e ana in eo le in ead o he da - o-da a k a hand A nor al da in he ho can rin an challen e , and ickl no iced he o i ive re l A ocia e rovided wi h all he or needed, will in re rn ac a a well-oiled achine

How do you think the program helps you at Prime? he kill learned while akin he cla e will hel e e a e er ana er i he o or ni ari e a h e ro le olvin kill and how o work wi h eo le ha have di eren er onali ie al o a h e everal co er kill ha had never used before.

26

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally? learned o e hin ro each co r e ook, wo ld a he o i or an hin i o re ain o en o new oin o view

PRIME WAYS

What did you hope to learn through the program?

My main goal was to walk away with a better nder andin o how rea leader re en he elve while rovidin rea or o a ocia e o en wi ne e ce ional ana er , starting with Robert all the way down.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

What did you hope to learn through the program?

I was looking forward to learning more about management.

aron eeders How did you balance your education at Bethel with your work/family schedule?

I work night shifts, so that worked really well. I was already used to staying up all night.

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

We took a class that was about the steps your brain takes when you process something and how you can use that knowledge to change your habits. We talked about developing patience in work con ic and i howed o how o develo a ience and ild ha in o a ha i

Kyle Goodman

How do you think the program will help you in your job at Prime?

This program has already been a huge help. It has helped me tremendously with my communication skills, and it has helped me with time management skills What did it feel like to finish the program and gather for the awards ceremony?

I never went to college after high school; it was just straight to work. So, when given the opportunity to take these courses with Bethel, I was ecstatic to say the least. I was so incredibly proud of myself for something I never thought I could do while working full-time.

cott Bishop

How did you balance your education at Bethel with your work/family schedule?

The online option worked great because I was able to keep working full-time and do classwork during my time off.

How do you think the program will help you in your job at Prime? he co r e were relevan o he e o work we do wa eneficial o hink a o moving parts of a trucking company within the industry.

all he

ustin edmon

What did you hope to learn through the Bethel program?

I was hoping to further my career, and anytime I can learn something in my job, that’s a plus.

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

I learned how to be a better leader by understanding how a company like Prime works.

What was something you struggled with early on when in the program?

The hardest part was setting my schedule to do homework and discussions. I started doing chunks of work at certain times. I spaced it out to give myself time and not be overwhelmed.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

ichael Brooke

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

I wanted to get a better understanding of Microsoft programs like Excel and Word.

How did you balance your education at Bethel with your work/family schedule?

It wasn’t always easy. You’re working a full-time job, going to school, and for many of us, we have families. I would usually wake up early on my days off to do assignments.

What ad ice do you ha e for someone who is thinking of going through the program?

Be prepared to spend several hours a week completing coursework.

PRIME WAYS

27

What ad ice do you ha e for someone at rime who is thinking of going through the program?

I would tell them to do it and, most importantly, to fini h i he her o are alread in a ana e en position or trying to move up to one, you will learn o e hin o didn alread know

Brian Folweiler

How did you balance your school work with your work/family schedule? wa hard a fir , ade a ched le o wha family was doing and then plugged in when I could e chool work done What ad ice do you ha e for someone at rime who is thinking of going through the program?

All the courses are online, but sometimes you’ll need o dedica e hree o o r ho r a ni h o i o lan ahead, and ake re o don r n o r el oo la e What s the best skill you learned at Bethel? ow o e cel and ord

28

PRIME WAYS

ndrew mens

What did you hope to learn through the program?

I had the chance to go to school when I was a lot o n er, a ed on ha o ollow hear got married right out of high school and gave up the ree ride o o o chool hi wa chance o rove ha co ld have ade i hro h colle e How has the program helped you at your ob?

I have a better understanding of supply chain and lo i ic now hi hel wi h nder andin how ana e en and leader hi work a ri e

rian aferriere

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally? earnin he ine ide o he co an came from working in the shops and gained oor e erience avin knowled e on how he internals work behind the curtain has helped me re endo l What ad ice do you ha e for someone at rime who is thinking of going through the Bethel program? o i avin a co an ha look a er heir employees and is willing to push you and wants you o cceed o an co anie have o or ni ie like hi or heir e lo ee

Photos courtesy Prime Inc

yler Burchfield

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally? wo ld a learnin i e ana e en , con ic resolution and most importantly learning more about how o e co er ro ra ore e ficien l

Cody Sederburg What did you hope to learn through the Bethel program?

I was looking to improve my leadership skills, but what I learned was way more than just that. I learned how to manage time as well as how to manage people in a way that is more e ficien and e ec ive han wha have ho h o or een rior o e innin hi ro ra What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

The skills of communicating and the ability to manage time to complete the tasks that are given to me.

Steven Keeney What did you hope to learn through the Bethel program?

I’m a trailer rebuild mechanic, and I wanted to advance my career, so any knowledge I could gain could help me move up.

How did you balance your education at Bethel with your work/family schedule?

I don’t have free time, so I had to make time. I’m actually still enrolled in school and am getting my bachelors. I already had two associate degrees, but this was a no-brainer.

Trevor Aldridge

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally?

U nderstanding and using positive emotional intelligence. Having all the knowledge in the world is useless when used poorly or to disparage others.

What did it feel like to finish the program and gather for the awards ceremony?

The journey itself is what was most rewarding to me. I learned that as long as you have dedication and commitment, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Timothy Viti

What was the most important thing you learned that has helped you professionally? one l he o i or an kill learned wa icro o fice and how o e er navi a e the different programs. When I graduated high school, we were only taught typing skills.

What did it feel like to finish the program and gather for the awards ceremony?

I felt an extreme sense of happiness. I always said if I had a chance at going back to school for a de ree cer ifica e, wo ld ake ll advan a e and r harde o carr i o

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

Cody Atteberry

What did you hope to learn through the Bethel program?

As a leader, it is important for us to be able to grow personally as well as professionally. To be a leader in any industry the ability to learn or grow is a must.

How do you think the program will help you in your job at Prime?

The Bethel Program provides you with the tools to learn about supply chains in which Prime operates. It teaches you how to manage Excel as well as various accounting techniq ues and even how to interact with your peers and the folks you manage on a day-to-day basis.

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TAB began about a year ago, and now it’s ready to expand its membership.

Prime’s Technician Advisory Board kicks off its second year in 2023, and already it has succeeded in problem solving. Now, it’s ready to grow.

P

rime’s Technician Advisory Board was formed nearly a year ago after Director of Fleet Management K evin Bergman noticed a disconnect between technicians and management at Prime.

Mirrored after the Driver Advisory Board, the Technician Advisory Board is meant to create transparency and open up communication between Prime technicians around the country and upper manageen a head ar er in rin field, Missouri.

Bergman describes the previous communication gap as a “bad game of telephone.” By the time a message reaches the end of the line, many im-

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PRIME WAYS

portant details have been lost. “We wanted to improve communication and give our technicians information straight from the horse’s mouth,” Bergman explains. “It’s important o o rea fir ha he ho are moving in a good direction, and any changes we make are for their betterment.” Better communication isn’t the only goal of the new Technician Advisory Board. It’s also important for directors and management in rin field o hear ro echnician about what they can be doing better and how shops can be improved from a technician’s standpoint.

The Technician Advisory Board, referred to by the acronym TAB, has

met twice since its conception last year and will hold its third meeting this coming February. Members of TAB include technicians from all ri e ho , ee ana er and drivers, and it currently has about 40 members. “This is just the beginning,” Bergman says. “We have plans to continue expanding TAB to include even more technicians and relevant personnel.” Besides growing the team, what has traditionally been a day-long meeting will be expanded to a day and a half to ensure every voice in attendance is heard. oard e er are own o rin field, i o ri, o hear resentations from leaders, upper

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

BY SONIA GUZMAN

The goal of TAB is to get more input and hear from team members.

management, guest speakers from other departments such as Sales and Operations, Prime customers and driver associates. “We want to help create more well-rounded team members,” Bergman says. “These meetings help the technicians see the full picture and realiz e what a huge contribution they make to Prime. We don’t want anyone going home at the end of the day feeling like they just fi ed a r ck o ch ore han that. They are helping ensure the livelihood of so many other individuals in the Prime family and our customers.”

Technicians are also given the chance to ask any and all q uestions of presenters and board leaders. “That’s

one o he rea on we are e andin the meeting time,” Bergman says.

“We want to ensure that every person gets to ask any q uestions they might have, and we get to hear all concerns.” Bergman has heard some frustration from technicians in the past about feeling out of the loop, especially when it comes to decision making about changes to their shops.

“Part of the board’s goal is to eliminate any misunderstandings by providin a e er e lana ion o he business side of things and making sure technicians know why we are making certain decisions and that we have their best interest in mind,” Bergman says.

While TAB is still in its beginning stages, Bergman has high hopes for the board’s future and what can be accomplished. “Even in just the two meetings, we’ve been able to solve small issues that we previously didn’t know e i ed,” he a hin a simple as getting one of the smaller shops a new tool that will improve heir e ficienc ” A A con in e to grow, he hopes to keep providing technicians with “a space to have their voices heard, learn more about the company and to grow as professionals as well as people.” The third Technician Advisory Board meeting will e held in rin field, i o ri, in February of 2023.

PRIME WAYS

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HOMETOWN LOVE When Emily Plummer got in her first truck, it was her ticket out of town.

Now, she’s using the money she makes from driving to support the hometown she left years ago.

BY MARY ELLEN CHILES

E

mily Plummer has worked for Prime for 23 years and was named Prime’s Highway Diamond of the Year in 2022. By all accounts, she’s had a successful career driving, but for Plummer, the real testament of her success is her ability to give back to her hometown.

Plummer drives with her husband, Gary, and the two like to give back to other driv-

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PRIME WAYS

▲ The high school football team in Luxora, Arkansas, gets lots of support and love from one team of drivers.

ers and to the local community whenever they can. Sometimes, it’s a small gesture like signing up to drive through the holidays. Because they don’t have kids, they enjoy giving other drivers the chance to spend the holidays at home. “If we decide to work, that gives the driver who has children the opportunity to go home,” Plummer says.

“It may just be one truck, but it’s one truck where the driver has kids who need them at home.”

Home is an important place for Plummer.

She was raised in a “little bitty” town called Luxora, Arkansas, that’s 45 miles north of Memphis. It’s so small that kids from several towns attend one school called Rivercrest High School, in nearby Wilson. “It’s a poor community, and they don’t have much,” Plummer says.

When Plummer started earning a good living at Prime, she wanted to help kids back home, and she has a soft spot for the football team. “I love our school’s football program,” she says. “The coaches have gone to this school; they’ve graduated from this school.”

Since many kids on the football team aren’t able to go home between school and games because of lack of transportation and

working parents, other parents have helped out in the past by providing meals before games. When the team needed someone new to sponsor those meals, Plummer and her husband raised their hands.

First, they adopted a program where they provide snack bags for the players. Then when COVID hit, all meals needed to be prepackaged, but the only option was fast food, and it was too expensive for many families. “I got with the lady in the PTO and said, ‘I want to know who can go pick up the orders, and I can send you the money,’” Plummer says.

Plummer paid for snack packs and meals for four years, and then other people in the community started chipping in to help with costs. “A woman sent me a video with one kid who had never had Chick-fil-A,” Plummer says. “I knew I had to continue to do this because there were things I didn’t have growing up, and people provided that for me. This is my way of giving back.”

Plummer likes to go back to attend games when she can, and she stays in touch with players after graduation because they usually add her on Facebook.

The nickname she’s been affectionately given is Aunt Emily, and she loves it.

Photo courtesy Emily Plummer

Family Ties

View From the road What awe-inspiring landscapes have you seen from behind the wheel? Submit a highresolution photo (usually 500 KB or higher) of your truck to primeinc@primeinc.com.

Include your name and caption information about where and when the photo was taken.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

▲ Lake Views Orlando Chinea sent in this photo from his adventures on the road. “Working with Prime has allowed me to have the financial freedom to provide for my family and see this breathtaking country of ours,” he wrote. “The money with Prime is as good as you want it to be. It all depends on the amount of work you’re willing to put in.”

▲ Scooby-dooby-doo Greg Weske and his crew represented Prime out on the road this past Halloween. Their costumes matched the truck’s design, which meant Scooby-Doo was a popular costume.

▲ Sunrise Craig Breter took a minute to snap a photo of his truck (middle) and the sunrise at Prime’s Minooka terminal.

PRIME WAYS

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Driver Referral Program $100 $500 $500 1/4cpm $1,000 Earn $100 when referred driver hauls first load.

Earn $500 when referred driver stays 30 days.

Earn $500 when referred driver stays 6 months.

Earn ¼ cpm on every mile referred driver runs after 6 months.

Earn $1000 when 3 referred drivers stay 6 months.

Earnings Example: Refer 3 drivers who stay at least 6 months at Prime, and you would earn $4300, not including the additional mileage pay!

Program Rules: The person that is referred must run under Prime’s operating authority (A, B, C, or D Seats) as a company driver or independent contractor.

All active Prime Driver Associates under Prime’s operating authority (A, B, and C Seats) are eligible to receive Prime Inc Driver Referral Program pay.

To earn bonus at 6 months longevity pay and mileage pay, referred driver must be an A Seat.

No driver referral bonus will be earned for referring a rehire (previous Prime Driver).

To earn referral, referred driver must list Prime Driver’s name or driver code on online application or be provided to Recruiter prior to processing application for approval.

For more information, contact Prime’s Recruiting Department at 888-664-4473.

Program is effective as of Nov. 19, 2021, until further notice or cancellation. (Prime reserves the right to modify the program at any time.)