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Now, Ford, Chrysler and Nissan mode. PAM was no exception,” said holders alike. Dan is deserving of all the
have joined GM as PAM’s automotive Mark Brockinton, managing director accolades that have come his way, but
customers. “Customers always want to of Aon Risk Solutions’ Transportation he is quick to credit the team around
know what else you do and what you and Logistics practice, based in Little him – the mark of a great leader. I am
have. Rock. “The ship was taking on water, confident the company will enjoy con-
Going to Ford, I can go in and and Dan had to plug the holes, put his tinued success under his direction.”
say I am an expert at this. Same with arm around his team, and try to live to
Chrysler, same with Nissan. They see fight another day, which is exactly what CEo maTErIal
you as great and knowledgeable about he did.” The company has had an interest-
their business based on what you “Even though the circumstances ing and sometimes turbulent history in
already do.” were dire, he had a vision for a trans- its 34-year life. Tontitown native Paul
Cushman also sought out his driv- formed PAM Transport from the very A. Maestri and Robert Weaver were
ers while spending the first year and a beginning. He set out on the journey to working for Springdale’s J.B. Hunt and
half telling the new PAM story. reshape the business and company cul- his trucking line when they decided to
“I went out and asked drivers, ‘How ture, and methodically begin to imple- start a dry-van company. Maestri’s ini-
are we treating you?’ The drivers would ment his strategic plan.” tials made for a catchy name and logo
say, your equipment isn’t all that nice. Brockinton and Aon have been (though some Internet legends about
So we invested a lot of money into our advising PAM Transport on risk issues the company’s name remain prevalent,
fleet. We changed our logo. Now, they since the trucking firm’s early days. claiming PAM really means “Pretty
drive with pride. They have good equip- “Five years later, the verdict is in,” Awesome Mileage,” and one can under-
ment,” Cushman explained. Brockinton said of Cushman’s leader- stand the owners co-opting that in the
“In the darkest days of the most ship. “The company has restored profit- recruitment of drivers in its start-up
devastating financial crisis since the ability, and Wall Street has taken notice days).
Great Depression, Dan Cushman took – the common equity has increased Weaver led the move to take the
the reins at PAM. It was July 2009, and seven fold, and is trading at its all-time company public in 1986, briefly left
the trucking industry was in survival high, rewarding employees and share-
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DefenD your company anD your
Drivers with a legal Defense plan Call Jim C. Klepper, Esq.
DesigneD By anD for truckers. 8 0 0 - 4 1 7 - 3 5 5 2
Drivers Legal Plan @DriversLegal www.driverslegalplan.com

ArkAnsAs truckinG rePort | issue 4 2014 29