The Dart Network Podcast

Rounding out Women's History Month, Pat was joined by Vice President of Revenue Management Stephanie Williamson. Listen as she talks about her journey in the trucking industry and what Women's History Month means to her.  Follow us online: https://www.facebook.com/TheDartNetwork https://twitter.com/TheDartNetwork https://www.instagram.com/dartnetwork/ https://www.youtube.com/user/DartTransitCompany https://www.linkedin.com/company/dart-transit/?trk=public_jobs_topcard_org_name

Dart President and CEO Dave Ables joined Pat on this episode of The Dart Network Podcast. Listen to hear Dave's journey in the trucking industry, how he came to Dart and learn about the new driver ambassador program.  Follow us online:  https://www.facebook.com/TheDartNetwork https://twitter.com/TheDartNetwork https://www.instagram.com/dartnetwork/ https://www.youtube.com/user/DartTransitCompany https://www.linkedin.com/company/dart-transit/?trk=public_jobs_topcard_org_name

Pat sat down with Vice President of Maintenance Paul Pettit to discuss the new Peterbilts coming soon to Dart. He also talks about his department goals for 2021. We get to learn more about Paul, his career path, and his military experience.  Follow us @TheDartNetwork on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and @DartNetwork on Instagram

The Dart Network Podcast has a new host, Dart Safety Advisor Pat Wortham. Listen as we learn more about our new host and what we have planned for the podcast in 2021.  Follow us @TheDartNetwork on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and @DartNetwork on Instagram

In this edition of the podcast, we meet Dart company driver Gerald Northcutt. Earlier this year, Gerald was seated in one of the military-wrapped trucks in the Dart Network fleet. We discuss Gerald’s military career and when he first saw the Kenworth T-680 that would eventually become his new ride within the Dart Network fleet. You’ll also hear Gerald’s harrowing experience in overcoming a MRSA infection.

In this edition of the podcast, you’ll meet Scott Draper, the new driver behind the wheel of Dart’s Breast Cancer Awareness Truck. As you’ll hear, Scott felt a strong call to submit an application to fill the open seat of this special truck within the Dart company fleet. Scott’s new ride features decals of the iconic pink ribbon that has become the symbol of American Cancer Society’s ongoing Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. For Scott, the opportunity to drive this truck provides him with a rolling tribute to his mother and his sister. As you’ll hear Scott tell PodWheels Network Executive Producer Greg Thompson during our interview, Scott lost both his mother and his sister to breast cancer in recent years. And while the pain of those losses is still present, Scott shares with Greg how driving across the nation’s highways these days has also allowed him to the feel hope and inspiration his new truck delivers with every mile.

In this edition of the podcast, we conclude our series highlighting Dart's annual award winners by featuring Anthony Thomas, Dart's Company Driver of the Year for Dedicated Operations. PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson caught up with Anthony as he was taking a break from the road. As you’ll hear during Greg’s phone call with Anthony, the award announcement is the highlight of what has become an amazing run for Anthony since he joined Dart in the latter part of 2018. An Army veteran who was once assigned as the driver of a four-star general, Anthony values being part of a strong team and he is continually looking at ways to improve his performance and serve.

In this edition of the podcast, we'll meet Guled as we continue our series of segments introducing you to Dart’s award winners for the Company Driver of the Year and the Independent Contractor of the Year. Guled earned the title of the Independent Contractor of the Year for the Dedicated fleet. A native of Somalia who found the trucking industry in 2005, Guled became an owner-operator and, in 2012, he became part of the Dart Network. Guled has been running Dedicated for the same customer during his entire time with Dart. Also, in this podcast, we talk with Jennifer Hurley, Dart’s Director of Dedicated Operations. Along with sharing her observations on Guled, Jennifer provides insight into the nomination and selection process involved with these annual awards.

In this edition of the podcast, we will begin a series of segments introducing you to Dart’s award winners for the Company Driver of the Year and the Independent Contractor of the Year. We are going to begin our series by placing the spotlight on Anthony Thomas. Anthony recently earned the award as the Independent Contractor of the Year for the Dart Network fleet. You’ll hear how his younger brother inspired him to become an owner-operator and how he encouraged Anthony to join the Dart Network. You’ll also hear Anthony discuss the relationship he’s built over the past decade with Highway Sales. Anthony is now leasing his third truck from Highway Sales.

Recorded during the first week of May, Dart President & CEO Dave Ables is our guest for an extended Q&A session that covers a variety of topics of interest to everyone in the Dart Network. We talked to Dave on how the Dart Network continues to respond as the country addresses the COVID-19 national emergency. We ask Dave to look ahead as Dart’s customers work to get back to business and establish a new normal. Toward the end of the podcast, Dave discusses the possibility of taking an over-the-road ride with a member of the Dart Network fleet.

In this edition of the podcast, we’ll introduce you to Paul Konzen, an owner-operator in the Dart Network. Prior to the COVID-19 National Emergency, Paul met with members of the Dart Management Team in Eagan. During his time at the headquarters, Paul talked about the importance of communication and the recent enhancements Dart has made in reaching out to the fleet. During our phone interview with Paul, he talks about what he learned in his most recent trip to Eagan. He also discusses the key role that company drivers and owner-operators hold in the communications process with the team supporting them at Dart.

Recorded on March 24, we talk with Dart General Counsel Doug Grawe to learn how the Dart Network is responding to the changes and challenges that the COVID-19 National emergency has created. In addition, Doug shares a number of important reminders related to keeping owner-operators and company drivers healthy and safe while they are out on the road. You’ll also hear Doug express the company’s appreciation for the way that the fleet and the entire Dart team has stepped up to join the rest of the trucking industry in the effort to keep the American supply chain moving.

In this edition of the podcast, we spend some time with Leonard Larson, a company driver in the Dart Network since 2007 who has developed quite a talent for capturing stunning scenic pictures during his time out on the road. Leonard’s work has become a fixture in the annual Dart calendar, and his photos can also be seen from time to time on Dart’s Facebook page. In our phone interview, Leonard shares some of the secrets he has learned over the years for capturing memorable photos.

As part of our series looking at some of the headlines and national issues that have become topics of discussion in the trucking industry, the Dart Network Podcast explores a subject that every company driver and owner-operator has studied mile by mile while traveling across the nation’s roads and bridges. In this podcast, we’ll be talking about the state of the nation’s highway infrastructure and how Dart has been a part of the industry’s efforts to advocate for improvements. Doug Grawe, Dart’s General Counsel, will be our guest. We’ll talk with Doug about what the industry is doing and what Dart is doing address improvements to the nation’s highways. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll also be talking with Doug about what’s happening on the autonomous vehicle front.

Doug Grawe, the General Counsel at Dart, joins us on the podcast to discuss how Dart is reaching out to state and federal officials to create a greater awareness for the need to address the lack of available truck parking across the country. Doug also addresses how Dart is reaching out to the company's customers to discuss truck parking. He also takes the time to explain the highly overlooked role that local lawmakers play in establishing laws and policies covering truck parking. As Doug shares with us, often times the lack of truck parking in a town or municipality can be traced back to the decisions made by local officials.

Doug Grawe, the General Counsel at Dart, joins us on the podcast discusses how Dart is responding to the recent challenges to independent contractor status that have been in the news. Doug will talk to us about California’s AB5 law and a U.S. House of Representatives bill. During the interview, Doug details some of the efforts that Dart has taken to help in preserving independent contractor status within the trucking industry.

In this edition of the Dart Network Podcast, Dart’s Director of Dedicated Operations Jennifer Hurley shares two stories of ways in which two Dedicated account customers went the extra mile to recognize two members of Dart’s Dedicated fleet for the excellent service they provide each week. Jennifer tells us about the recent experiences that Dart drivers Adam and Marvin enjoyed through the special recognition from the customers they serve.

Bernie Gray, who has been an owner-operator in the Dart Network for the past seven years, hit a bit of a crossroads this fall. He decided to take a look at what looked to be greener pastures on the other side of the trucking fence, leaving Dart for a short time. Not long after moving on, Bernie could see that the new opportunity wasn’t as good as it appeared. Plus, he didn’t have the kind of network he had built with Dart. After taking a step back, Bernie reached out to his friends at Dart and he returned to the company in late October. Bernie wanted to share his story and the benefit of his experience with the listeners of the Dart Network Podcast. During this segment, you’ll get some insight on what the experience cost Bernie, and you’ll hear why Bernie considers Dart his home.

In this podcast, , we wanted to share the perspective from one of the voices of experience in the Dart Network. Mark Boucher is an owner-operator who has logged 11 years as part of the Dart Network. A military veteran who is very determined and highly disciplined in his approach to running his business in the trucking industry, Mark is well respected within the Dart Network and within the trucking industry. Mark shares plenty of wisdom during our discussion on how to get going in a direction of success from the beginning of the year.

Scott McCarter, an owner-operator in the Highway Sales Program, talks about his first year with Dart and running in the Google Dedicated fleet. We caught up with Scott in the South Atlanta Operating Center during Driver Appreciation Week. We met Scott while he was having a conversation with John Pinyerd, who is Dart’s Director of Southeast Sales. John was one of people responsible for developing the Google Dedicated account and he was asking Scott about his experience on the account since joining Dart earlier this year. From that conversation, we learned that Scott has logged 28 years of experience in the industry. He had actually been retired from trucking until he started looking back into opportunities and he found a great fit with Dart and Highway Sales. We believe you’ll find the conversation with Scott and John to be very interesting.

In this segment, the Dart Network Podcast welcomes two very special guests to our Driving Through History Series. We will be joined by Dart Chairman of the Board Don Oren and his wife, Bev. We asked Don to reflect on the history of the company, its impact on the industry and his 66-year career in executive leadership with Dart. Through our discussion with Don, you’ll hear some compelling examples of the can-do attitude and undying perseverance that helped Dart find success and build a sterling reputation in the trucking industry. Also, during this podcast, you’ll hear some great perspective from Bev Oren, who is seen as a pioneer in trucking with her leadership of Dart’s HR Department, beginning in the 1970s and extending well into the 1990s.

The Dart Network Podcast welcomes ATA President & CEO Chris Spear as a special guest in our Driving Through History Series. The ATA is the nation’s largest organization representing the trucking industry. Chris spent some time with us by phone, sharing his perspective on this milestone anniversary for Dart. In this wide-ranging interview, we talk about the changes Dart has witnessed and influenced in the trucking industry during the company’s 85 years of operation.

In Part 2 of our conversation with ATA President & CEO Chris Spear, we get more of his observations on Dart’s ability to sustain and grow its business across all of the changes that the trucking industry has seen during the past 85 years. During this segment, you’ll also hear Chris discuss the important contributions that Don Oren, the Oren family and Dart have taken to help bring positive changes to the trucking industry, like the standardization of the 53-foot trailer.

John Hausladen, the President of the Minnesota Trucking Association, considers Dart and the Oren family as valued partners in furthering the image of trucking and serving as an example for the membership of the state association. We talked with John about the impact that the Oren family and Dart have made within the state and across the trucking industry over the company’s history.

As part of our series, we wanted to make sure to represent the perspective of the people behind the wheel within the Dart Network. During his 42 years as an owner-operator in the Dart fleet, Larry Severson became known as “Larry The Legend,” and it’s easy to see how he earned that title. Larry logged more than five million miles of accident-free driving. He Larry was honored as the top person behind the wheel by the Minnesota Trucking Association in 2004. In 2011, Larry Severson was recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association as the organization’s Contractor of Year. In this segment, Larry shares his experience with Dart while looking back at a great career in trucking.

One of the best parts of producing this series was the opportunity to chat with some of the retired stalwarts at Dart. Looking back at the company's history, Joyce Jordan was one of those difference-makers for Dart. Joyce served as Dart’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing for many years prior to her retirement in 2013. As you’ll hear in this podcast, Joyce was a real trail blazer and pioneer in the trucking industry, becoming one of the first women to lead the sales force for a major carrier. We had an opportunity to catch up with Joyce by phone from her home in Texas. Joyce talked about her days with FleetLine and Dart and how she found her road to success in the trucking industry.

Alan Swenson joined Dart in 1967 and held a variety of executive positions over a 48-year career with the company. In Part 1, we talked with Alan about joining the company and get his observations on how Dart has grown over the years. We also asked Alan to look back at his most lasting memories of his time at Dart and share with us what he’s doing these days in retirement. You’ll hear about his son, Scott, who has been a part of the Dart fleet for more than 40 years.

In Part 2 of our conversation with retired Dart executive Alan Swenson, we asked Alan to take us back to the days before deregulation and working to get hauling authority through the Interstate Commerce Commission. Alan shares the challenges that were faced during the ICC days, and he looks back at how the industry changed following deregulation in 1980.

In this segment, we’ll meet Stephanie Williamson, the Vice President of Revenue Management at Dart. Stephanie has been a part of the Dart Network now for 25 years, starting as a fleet manager and serving organization in a number of roles. Stephanie has a long history in the trucking industry. Her parents were both drivers, and, as you’ll hear in this podcast, Stephanie spent some time behind the wheel herself a few years before coming to the Dart Network in 1994. Stephanie shares some valuable insights on the approach the executive leadership at Dart has worked to open doors and allow the company’s people to grow their careers.

Gary Randall joined Dart as a summer intern in 1982. Today, he is Dart’s VP of Operations. In this segment, we asked Gary to look back at Dart’s history and the changes he has witnessed in Operations over the years as the trucking industry continues to evolve. Gary also shares his Mt. Rushmore of leaders who have made left their mark on Dart.

John Basill, the Executive Vice President of Dart Transit, was asked by the Dart Network Podcast to look back at his beginnings with the Dart Network, and he talked to us about his days with Highway Sales. As you’ll hear, John looks back fondly at those early days, working directly with Highway Sales President John Siebel to create ownership opportunities for professional drivers and establish the roots of a program that remains strong more than 30 years later.

In this segment, Dart Network Podcast will examine the evolution of the equipment and maintenance in the Dart fleet. Looking back at Dart’s history, did you know that the first rig in the fleet was a 1934 Ford with an 18-foot trailer. As you’ll hear in this segment, the tractors coming into the company fleet today include seven onboard computing systems and advanced safety technology. You’ll meet Mike Roth, the Senior Service Assistant for the Dart Safety Lane in Eagan. Mike introduces us to Dave Koran, a soft-spoken trailer specialist who has been in the shop with Dart since 1978. Finally, we’ll talk with Dart Vice President of Maintenance Brett Wacker, who’ll give us an inside look at how Dart continues to stay on the cutting edge with equipment.

Judy Nelson has been a fixture in the executive offices at Dart for the past 30 years. She is the Senior Executive Administrative Assistant for the company and she has worked directly with Dart Chairman of the Board Don Oren for her entire tenure with the company. For this Driving Through History segment, the Dart Network Podcast had the opportunity to talk with Judy about her experience of working with the Oren family and what she has seen at Dart during her 30 years with the company.

As General Counsel for the Dart Network, Doug Grawe is a key member of the company's executive leadership team. With his interest in history and learning about the growth of the company over the years, Doug also holds the unofficial title as the 'Resident Historian' for Dart. We talked with Doug about the company's 85 years of history and some of the people who left an indelible mark on Dart.

What does it feel like to be the grand-prize winner of the Driver Appreciation drawing that was a part of Dart's 85th anniversary celebration? The Dart Network Podcast talked with owner-operator Brad Woodruff shortly after he had been announced as the grand-prize winner of the Chevy Silverado pickup truck. You can hear Brad's reaction to winning the 2019 Trail Boss pickup and how he first heard the news. You'll also hear Brad's story on why chose Dart as well as how he referred other independent contractors and drivers to learn more about the opportunities in the Dart Network.

During our recent trip to Ellenwood for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, we spent some time with two members of the Dart Senior Leadership Team who made the trip to the Atlanta-area and the Ellenwood Operating Center. In this segment, you’ll be hearing from Executive Vice President John Basill and Gary Falldin, the Vice President of Safety, Security and Driver Onboarding. In addition to expressing their deep appreciation for the daily efforts of the owner-operators and company drivers in the Dart Network, John and Gary shared their observations regarding the teamwork and enthusiasm displayed by the staff in Ellenwood.

During Driver Appreciation Week, we made a return trip to Ellenwood to spend some time with owner-operators and company drivers as well as the team at the Atlanta-area facility. The podcast caught up with Darnell Wilson, the Operating Center Supervisor for Ellenwood, as Driver Appreciation Week was winding down. Darnell shares the latest on Ellenwood and his discusses the facility’s focus on independent contractors and company drivers for Dart.

Check out the August 2019 edition of the Dart Network Podcast Magazine. You’ll hear a collection of highlights from feature interviews that will be coming soon to the Dart Network Podcast Series. You’ll also hear tips for the road and other special features, including segments on sports and entertainment.

Gary Falldin, the Vice President of the Vice President of Safety, Security and Driver Onboarding at Dart, shares important summer driving safety tips and the fleet's strong improvement within CSA categories.

The Dart Network Podcast takes the show on the road to a Touch A Truck event in White Bear Lake Minnesota. Touch A Truck is a nationwide program that brings together various trucking and public safety groups together in an effort to get kids involved in learning about trucks and public safety. In this podcast, you can hear the reaction of kids who climbed aboard Dart’s truck. More than 1,000 people attended the event, which was hosted by the White Bear Lake Police Department.

The Dart Network Podcast visits with Bev and Mike Monahan, the 2018 Contractors of the Year for Dart. Mike is now in his 25th year of contracting with Dart, and you’ll hear how the call of the road, with support from Mike, convinced Bev to make a career transition eight years ago from working as a nurse to going behind the wheel and becoming an owner-operator.

In this edition of the Dart Network Podcast, we learn how Kelvin Haywood found the trucking industry and a home at Dart. You’ll hear Kelvin’s reaction to being named the 2018 Company Driver of the Year for Dart. In addition to discovering some of his tips for success as a professional driver, Kelvin also shares how experiences as a coach and mentor for the Boys & Girls Club of St. Louis influenced his life.

In this edition of the podcast, we’ll be talking with Dart Network veteran owner-operator Pat Wortham on his approach to achieving success as an owner-operator. Pat shares valuable tips on how to build a successful business as an owner-operator as well as his experiences in the lease-purchase program through Highway Sales.

The Dart Network Podcast was on hand for a special American Trucking Associations event hosted by Dart. U.S. Bank organized and facilitated the event, which focused on multi-generational recruiting and outreach within minority communities to address trucking’s workforce needs. In addition to highlights from the event, you’ll hear a special interview with Elisabeth Barna, Chief Operating Officer of the American Trucking Associations.

Rebecca Schulteis, the onsite representative at Dart's Eagan, Minn., headquarters from Ameriplan Benefit Corporation, provides an important update regarding Ameriplan’s insurance options available for Dart’s Owner-Operators. Rebecca discusses the various coverages available as well as the steps owner-operators need to take. If you have questions after listening to this podcast, you can contact Rebecca by email, send to [email protected]. You can also speak to Rebecca in Eagan. Her office line is 651-683-1803. If you need to send Rebecca a fax, that number is 651-681-6803.

In this Meet The Team segment, the Dart Network Podcast introduces you to Darnell Wilson, who oversees Dart's new Operating Center in Ellenwood. Darnell discusses his experiences in trucking, including his years as both a local and OTR driver.

The Dart Network Podcast goes on the road to Ellenwood, Ga., to cover the opening of Dart's new Operating Center in the Atlanta metro area. Dart Chairman of the Board Don Oren is among our guests on the podcast.

Dart Vice President of Sales John Mooney joins the podcast to discuss the vital contribution made by owner-operators and company drivers as Dart earned the prestigious Quest For Quality service excellence award for the second straight year.

Dart Vice President of Safety & Security Gary Falldin discusses the improvements made and praises the work done in the area of injury prevention during 2018 by Dart’s Driving Community. Gary also shares important reminders related to preventing injuries in and around the truck.

One of the top highlights of 2018 was Dart’s participation as a sponsor in the Minneapolis Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. We share coverage and interviews from the event, which featured Dart driver and breast cancer survivor Debbie Chapman. Debbie is the driver of Dart's Fight Like A Boss truck, which was a focal point at the event.