National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Spotlight #1: Willie Alexander

At TA Services, we appreciate and celebrate truck drivers every day — we trust and rely on them to help our customers move their products across the country. We appreciate the hard work and dedication we see firsthand from every truck driver in our network. This week, in honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), we’ll spotlight three outstanding truck drivers to learn more about the people behind the wheel.

Our first driver spotlight is Willie Alexander, an owner-operator with Sons of Willie Morn, LLC who has been a truck driver for 32 years. Willie, who calls North Carolina home, has been hauling refrigerated goods like fresh produce, meats, and seafood across the country for our Canadian team (formerly known as Scout Logistics) since 2011. He followed his lifelong dream and bought his first truck in 1991 after retiring from the U.S. Army. When talking with Willie, it’s impossible to ignore his positive attitude. He approaches every challenge with optimism, and it’s helped him grow a successful business over the past three decades.

Willie was kind enough to hop on a call from the road so we could learn more about him and what it’s like to be a truck driver.

Q: How long have you been a truck driver, and what made you get into this industry? 
A: I started in 1991, so I’ve been doing this for about 32 years. I bought my truck when I retired ­­from the U.S. Army. From the time I was a teenager, that was always my plan after the military. I would have thought it was something I would move past, but years later, I still had that desire.

Q: What about trucking appealed to you as a teenager? 
A: When I was young, I always liked the idea that trucking was a chance to be out on my own and do my own thing. I never wanted to punch a clock; I wanted flexibility — and being an owner-operator allows me to be in control of my career and my life.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face on the road? 
A: I really don’t have any complaints about this life. Of course, being away from my family is hard. And it’s not always easy to find a decent meal. I run out of Seattle, so the weather can be tricky, especially in the winter. But trucking offers a way of life, and if you choose this way of life, those things are the nature of the beast. I try to approach this job with an open mind. Coming from a military background, I look at the mission in front of me, and I deal with what I’m given.

Q: What do you like most about your job? 
A: I appreciate the relationships I’ve made and the people I’ve met doing this job. I also like knowing that I’m doing something I want to do and that I’m doing it well. I see some merit in that saying, “If you find a job you enjoy doing, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” I enjoy what I’m doing, so I don’t feel like I’m working. When I’m out on the road, I’m no different than any other person out there driving. They’re going to see the world, and I’m doing the same thing.

“Willie is a wonderful truck driver and everything you’d want in a carrier partner – reliable, trustworthy, and smart. He has been a dedicated carrier partner hauling with us for 10+ years and always provides topnotch service and the most positive outlook.”

Dani Etkin-Spigelman
Chief Revenue Officer, TA Services’ Toronto, Ontario Canada office

Q: Speaking of seeing the world, what’s the most memorable place you’ve visited? 
A: I’ve been to all 50 states, but the first time I drove into Washington state, I thought that was the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. But every place has its beauty. When you drive as much as I do, you get to see different places at different times of the year. You can appreciate the scenery wherever you are.

Q: You’ve had a long career so far. What are the things you look back at and feel most proud of? 
A: I talk to a lot of people when I’m out on the road. I’ve met other truck drivers and shared my encouragement, and I’ve met people interested in becoming a truck driver and shared advice. And I’m most proud when I run into those people years later and they are successful. Seeing their success fills me with a lot of joy and pride.

Q: What advice do you offer other people in the industry or people looking to get into the industry?
A: For me, your attitude is the foundation of everything. Even if you take the worst situation you can find yourself in, humor is somewhere to be found. And if you look for the humor, you can overcome any negativity. I always say that I am the only person responsible for my own happiness.  

Q: What do you like most about working with TA Services? 
A: When TA says they will do something, they do it. I have no complaints. I appreciate the convenience they offer. The system they use, TriumphPay, allows me to do everything on my phone. It’s so easy to take a photo, submit my paperwork, and get paid.

Continue to check back this week as we spotlight even more amazing truck drivers like Willie. And if you’re out on the road this week, be sure to show your appreciation to any truck drivers you may meet. Buy them a coffee or thank them for their dedication and hard work — the smallest act will go a long way.

If you’re a truck driver interested in joining the TA Services carrier network, sign up today.