Page 39 - Arkansas Trucking Report Volume 23 Issue 2

“WHEN I CAME BACK FROM THAT EXPERIENCE, I WAS VERY DIFFERENT. YOU
REALLY BEGIN TO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE AND ALL YOU COULD LOSE IN
AN INSTANT. LIFE IS VERY FINITE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.”

That is how a business would look experience, I was very different. You ers license. He’s quick to note that the
at this, offsetting costs and protecting really begin to appreciate all that you problem is too big for one fix and that
commerce. have and all you could lose in an a “menu of solutions” is going to be
“But,” Spear points out, “in a instant. Life is very finite in that envi- needed to start filling the crater left by
country this size, different than other ronment.” an aging workforce.
parts of the world, our infrastructure, He said he would go to do his job, One option is hiring 18-21 year-
our connectivity between all the modes not thinking long term or day-to-day, olds with apprenticeship programs to
is also a very much a national secu- but down to the minute, down to the mentor, train and graduate them into
rity issue. Our ability to support our second of what could happen from a CDL.
country coast-to-coast really depends Point A to B. “Give us the right to go after that
on our ability to move fuel, to put fuel “You could be eliminated. Just like earlier age of talent and bring them into
in planes and ships and tanks, and the that. Indiscriminately chosen. You are the industry and keep them. We are
things we do to defend our country. It done. You’re gone. And it makes you looking at hiring our veterans, taking
requires strong infrastructure and a realize that everything that you do every care of our aging workforce, looking
network of roads and bridges to do all day, at work or at home, matters.” at healthcare. These are all things that
that. To suggest that we need to devolve This is why he doesn’t quit when are all going to be part of that menu
it to the states is compromising the sec- the air around town is toxic and com- of options. I think this is going to be
ond piece of the Constitution, which is promise is a dirty word. He learned to one of the biggest, defining issues for
a strong defense.” do everything to the highest level that our industry in years to come because
Taking care of America means tak- he possibly can. “It’s something that our ability to grow is really going to be
ing care of the things she has built and I’ve never let go of, coming back here I dependent on who we bring into the
made possible. The stripes of the high- take every minute as a husband, every workforce.”
way are as patriotic as the fabric stripes minute as a father, every minute at On all the issues, Spear is just look-
of the flag. church, every minute at work — even in ing for ways to win for his membership.
my social life when I go out, I take full “Going through all the different
EVERY MINUTE advantage to tip a glass to my staff, to things that I’ve done and now to be able
If speaking of asphalt and bridges thank them for everything that they to lead this association for an industry
gets a passionate response from Spear, just did, and how important that was to of good, passionate people, hardworking
recounting how he felt after September our members and to our own associa- people that just want to be able to grow
11 elicits a reverent tone. tion and its success. Every minute.” their businesses and really enjoy the
When the towers fell, he identified He remembers the Iraqi groups that fruits of their labor, to be able to see the
with so many others who wanted to didn’t want the U.S. there and went return on all that effort that they put
give back, who felt pangs of patriotism. to great lengths to ensure many never into it.”
One day, after the U.S. invaded Iraq, came home. As an appointee of the “It’s sort of the great American
Pres. George W. Bush requested some- president, he could’ve left, quit, gotten spirit. Hard-working people, the back-
one from every department go to run on the next plane out, but he worked bone of the economy.”
the sister agency in Baghdad. alongside men and women without that People tell Spear that it’s just hard
Spear went home and talked to his option, on 12-month or longer missions to get things done in Washington, but
wife that night and volunteered the with operating orders to complete. he doesn’t accept that. Truckers know
next day to represent the Department As workforce issues continue to hard work, he says. They live it every
of Labor where he was serving as liaison plague the trucking industry, Spear day, and he’s committed to telling that
for regulations. In under a month, he notes that veterans may be one piece of American trucking story.
was on a plane to Iraq, and that experi- solving the problem. “If we do that well, we are going to
ence has colored everything he’s done ATA has worked with Hiring Our preserve our industry and those hard-
since. Heroes and on legislation to fast track working men and women and families
“When I came back from that vets into getting their commercial driv- for many, many years to come.” ATR

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 2 2018 39