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barr and bozeman

up to 130 and still growing. Revenues After previously running another look at some that he owns. And in most
are projected to triple very soon. company for 13 years, Barr adds a broad cases, he knows where most of them are
Lane Kidd, president of the perspective to sales and marketing. He headed. His dream of owning a truck-
Arkansas Trucking Association, points usually can determine what’s best for ing company came true, thanks in large
with pride to the men’s relationship the company as he’s hammering out the measure to a man who once had the
that grew thanks to participation in deal, as opposed to some salesmen who same dream and was mature enough to
ATA events. He can’t remember in his will do anything to get the customer to realize his company could be even bet-
25 years in the trucking industry hear- sign on the dotted line. However, there ter.
ing of another instance of a single have been times when his deals have “I never viewed it as a risk,” said
owner giving up control of half of his forced the company to stretch a little. Boozman. “I never viewed it as giving
company. Usually one will have major- Those, however, haven’t led to up anything. I never looked at it that
ity ownership, or there will be a third conflict. So far, the two have stayed in way at all. I saw it as a great opportu-
party involved. He said the men’s per- their own lanes and simply discussed nity.”
sonality characteristics may explain why whatever requires a joint decision. For “The way everything’s turned out,
this unique arrangement is working. Bozeman, it’s a relief to have someone it was like it was meant to be,” Barr
“They both have an easygoing else make some of the decisions after said. “I really feel like this was my des-
style,” Kidd said. “They seem to be peo- having every buck stop at his desk since tiny. All the experience I have gained
ple who trust, maybe a little more easily, he started the company in 1992. For in my career is a real benefit to me as
than a lot of us do. And they both raise Barr, it’s been an educational oppor- an owner today. This is better than the
cattle. Maybe there’s something unique- tunity as well as a business one. He’s situation I was in at the last company.
ly common about guys who raise cattle. grown to admire Bozeman’s toughness, It was sad at the time and very heart-
I don’t know because I know absolutely his ability as a dispatcher, his problem- breaking for me, but the way things
nothing about raising cattle. solving and his self-control when things turned out, it’s really been great for me.
“Even though they’re very different go wrong. Sometimes, some of the worst situations
in their backgrounds, they have some Unlike when he was a kid on a end up being some of the best situa-
great chemistry together, uncannily so,” bicycle watching those tractor trailer tions.”
said Kidd. “I almost expect them to get rigs on the interstate and wondering
the same tattoo or something.” where they were going, Barr can now

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