Successful Driver Podcast

To conclude our two-part discussion with Arrow Truck Sales President, Brock Gavin, and National Truck Protection's Chief Financial Officer, Geoff Stigler, we discuss preventative maintenance, equipment protection plans, and the future of the trucking industry. 

Arrow Truck Sales President Brock Gavin sat down with National Truck Protection's (NTP) Chief Commercial Officer, Geoff Stigler. In this first part of our two-part series, Brock and Geoff discuss the long-lasting partnership Arrow has with NTP and how it has helped our customers find success.  

The trucking industry has seen a lot of changes over the last few years. Despite all the ups and downs a changing, challenging market can bring, Arrow is still here. Our history of sound, customer-focused decision making has seen us through since 1950, and it will see us through for many years to come. Arrow President, Brock Gavin, joins Kent Swanson to discuss our place in the industry and how our honest, upfront philosophy and commitment to quality have kept Arrow driving forward during unpredictable times.   

The Senior Director of Industry Training and Outreach with Truckers Against  Trafficking, Laura Cyrus, meets with Kent to discuss TAT's mission and how drivers everywhere can help prevent trafficking. Founded in 2009, Truckers Against Trafficking seeks to equip, empower, and mobilize truckers to help prevent and report crime.

Veteran and owner of Warriors 360*, Chris Lyon, returns to the podcast to talk success, trucking, and why he chooses to work with Arrow. 

Trevor Williams, Fuel Card Program Coordinator with OOIDA, joins us on this week's episode to discuss the Owner Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA). Listen now to learn more about OOIDA and the benefits joining has to offer you as a driver. 

Jeremy Kellett, Director of Recruiting with Oakley Trucking Inc. joined us on today's episode of the Successful Driver to talk success in trucking and skills and traits they look for when recruiting drivers. Trae Viser, the branch manager for Arrow Truck Sales Kansas City and Springfield joined the conversation along with Springfield's Lead Sales Associate, Kieth Wilson. Together they discuss what they've learned over the years that can help a first time owner-operator start off on the right foot. 

Sonny Grillo, Finance & Insurance Manager at Arrow Truck Sales, Chicago joins us on the show to talk about how to be your own boss in the trucking industry.   

The focus for this year's International Roadcheck is ABS and cargo securement. We meet with a CVSA Roadside Inspections Specialist, Jeremy Disbrow, to learn more.

Learn more about what the Section 179 Tax Deduction can do to help you and your business with tax professional Michael Schneider, Tax Manager at ATBS.  

Brendan Steppke with Arrow Truck Sales Philadelphia sat down with Greg Holderfield, the Regional Service Director with Volvo Group North America to chat Volvo, the industry, and more. Listen now! 

Sonny Grillo, Finance & Insurance Manager at Arrow Truck Sales Chicago, joins Kent on the Successful Driver Podcast to discuss the benefits and challenges of switching from a company driver to an owner-operator. Listen now!

In today's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast, Matt Quick and Bob Koren with Arrow's Cincinnati branch chat with Christopher “Chris” Lyon, veteran and owner of Warriors 360* Transportation. Chris explained the meaning behind his company name as this: he and many of his friends are veterans or warriors, and sometimes in life, your path can turn 360 degrees before you finally find your way. Listen to the full episode now! 

We meet with Rob Hallahan, owner of Hallahan Transportation, to chat responsible company growth and safety as a successful driver. Listen now! 

In this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast, we chat with Nick Hewitt, trucking veteran and owner of Professional Transportation Services, Inc. Listen now! 

Geoff Stigler, the Chief Commercial Officer at NTP, joins us on the Successful Driver Podcast to chat new things on the horizon at NTP, truck failures most commonly seen in claims, and more. Listen now! 

Chris Turner, the Director of Enforcement Data and Judicial Outreach at CVSA, joins Kent on The Successful Driver Podcast to discuss the upcoming International Roadcheck. This year's Roadcheck is scheduled for May 17th-19th and will emphasize “wheel ends” (which includes everything associated with the end of a wheel; lug nuts, fasteners, wheel holes, tires…).  Wheel ends were selected as this year's focus after being found within the top areas of violations during previous International Roadchecks. If you haven't yet, now's the time to make sure your truck is prepped for inspection! 

C.G. Soza of Soza Trucking joins Kent on this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast. C.G. shares his experience as a third-generation truck driver, gives his advice on business building as an owner-operator, and discusses the story and vision behind the A.J. Soza Memorial Truck Show. Listen now! 

Couple and team drivers Phyllis and Daniel Snow join Kent to discuss establishing good broker relationships, working the spot market as an owner-operator, and persevering through hardships. Listen now! 

Jason Cowan, President of Silver Creek Transportation, joins us on this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast. Jason discusses a wide range of topics, including how his company “hires character and trains skill”. Listen now! 

President of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, David Owen, joins Kent this week's episode. NASTC has been dedicated to helping small carriers prosper since 1989. Listen now! 

Todd Amen, President and CEO of ATBS, returns to talk finances and business building with Kent! Todd shares a wealth of financial tips, including some lesser used tax deductions that can really help drivers and owner-operators. For example, did you know that drivers can claim a “guard dog” tax deduction? Listen to the whole episode now! 

Driving team and married couple Chris and Ruth Smith join Kent on this week's episode of The Successful Driver Podcast. Chris and Ruth won first place in Overdrive's 2021 Pride & Polish custom rig competition's Working Combo, 2001 and Newer Category. They chat with Kent about Beverly II (their custom rig), driving as a couple, and more—listen now! 

Jason Cannon, the Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal, joins Kent to chat supply chain challenges, parts shortages, and 2022 expectations in this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast.   With experience in news and a Class A CDL, Jason offers a unique and educated perspective on the industry. Listen now! 

Kent meets with Brian Krawczyk, the Chief Operating Officer at National Truck Protection (NTP) in the 39th episode of the Successful Driver Podcast. Brian shares with us insights into truck protections, warranties, and preventative maintenance. Listen now! 

On this week's episode, Kent meets with Todd Williams, Vice President of Finance Operations at Transport Funding. Todd shares with us advice on financing as a first-time truck buyer, his background in the trucking industry, and more! 

In this week's episode, Norita Taylor, the Director of Public Relations at OOIDA, joins us to discuss their Truckers for Troops Program. 

Veteran, driver, and member of the American Trucking Association's Workforce Heroes, Alphonso Lewis, joins us on this week's episode to discuss the program, his background, and more! Listen now! 

Don Fotiades, Regional Manager at Arrow Truck Sales, joins us on this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast to chat about how Arrow has evolved over the years, industry changes, and more. Listen now! 

In this week's episode, we meet with Wade Bontrager, the CEO of National Truck Protection (NTP). Wade shares with us what he suggests drivers look for when choosing a truck warranty, including; components covered, conditions applied to the coverage, and how long the warranty should be applied. Listen now! 

Mark Griffin with Old World Industries joins us to discuss the importance of truck maintenance, DEF & other vital products, and more! Listen now! 

This week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast features our brand new “clear, simple, used truck buying” studio! In this inaugural episode, we meet with Paul Stephens, Arrow's Vice President of Purchasing & Wholesale. Listen now! 

Lewie Pugh, the Executive Vice President of OOIDA, joins us on the Successful Driver Podcast to discuss a range of industry specific topics, including the Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act. Listen now!

In this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast, Matt Quick from Arrow's Cincinnati branch shares what he thinks makes a successful driver. Having a business plan, ensuring you have a reliable haul source, and saving money to cover unforeseeable expenses are just some of Matt's recommendations.  Listen now!

In episode 29, Kent meets with Charles Bowles, the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Commercial Truck Trader.  They discuss changes in demand & availability in the industry, the importance of transparency, and more. Listen now!  

This year's Brake Safety Week is August 22nd-28th. During this period, inspectors will conduct the North American Standard Inspection on commercial motor vehicles. Inspectors will focus on the brake systems and components of the inspected vehicles. Any commercial vehicles found to be violating brake safety protocol will be removed from the roadways.Kerri Wirachowsky from CVSA returns to talk with Kent about Brake Safety Week, the results of this year's Roadcheck event, and more. Listen now! 

Kent meets with Micky Bhalla of Arrow's Toronto branch to discuss trends affecting the trucking industry in Canada, what it takes to be a successful driver, and more. Listen now! 

Carey Hubbard, Site Manager at DEX Heavy Duty Parts, joins Kent for the conclusion of the Successful Driver Podcast's DEX series. Listen to the full episode now! 

We continue our series with DEX Heavy Duty Parts with Will Proctor. Will is from DEX's Regional Sales team, and brings with him interesting insights on trucking industry and some of the disrupters affecting it. Listen now! 

We continue or series with DEX Heavy Duty Parts with Darin Redmon. Darin is the Manager of Operations at DEX at shares with us what the "Dexperience" is and how it can help truckers. Listen now! 

Kent talks with Jared Flinn from Bulk Loads. Bulk Loads is a load board dedicated to the bulk loads industry. Their website houses tons of helpful features outside of their load board, including; a truck board, a user forum, classified ads, and a tools & resources collection. Listen now! 

In this week's episode, Kerri Wirachowsky,  the Director of CVSA's Roadside Inspection program, returns to chat with Kent about Operation Safe Driver Week and more. Listen now!  

In next week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast, we continue our series on DEX Heavy Duty Parts with Sarah Newton from their marketing department. Listen now! 

In this week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast, we start our series with DEX Heavy Duty Parts. DEX offers drivers affordable solutions by providing remanufactured, renovated, and recycled heavy duty parts. We meet first with Kyle Pruitt, the Production Manager at DEX.

Kent meets with Erika Rios and Pat Grant from the Fontana branch of Arrow Trucks Sales. Erika is Arrow's first female Branch Manager and Pat has been in various roles at Arrow for the last 12 years. The conversation covers a variety of topics, but focuses on emissions laws and the growing pains associated with them. Listen now!

In this week's episode, Kent meets with Jason Church from the Purchasing Department at Arrow Truck Sales! Jason shares his advice on maintaining the resale value of a truck and more. Listen now! 

Bruce Outridge, host of the Lead Pedal Podcast, joins us for next week's episode of the Successful Driver Podcast. Bruce brings a long history of experience in the trucking industry to his podcast, and we were excited to chat with him on our show! Listen now! 

In this week's episode, we meet with Sonny Grillo, the Finance and Insurance Manager for Arrow Truck Sales in Chicago. Sonny shares advice on how to be successful from a financial lens and emphasizes the importance of protecting your investment. In reference to truck protections, Sonny says that it is “better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it”. Listen now! 

In our 15th episode, Kent meets with Edin Kovac, a Retail & Sales Consultant from Arrow Truck Sales in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to discussing his role in the truck driver's journey, Edin shares some of his family's story coming to the United States from Bosnia. Listen now!

In our 14th episode, Kent meets with Stan Saunders from Road Choice's HVAC Product Support. Together they discuss the importance of proper HVAC maintenance and much more. 

In our 13th episode of the Successful Driver Podcast, Kent chats with Charlie Colyer, the Branch Manager of Arrow Truck Sales in Cincinnati, Ohio.