What does it take to sustain a trucking company for over 80 years — and still remain hands-on in every shift? Jason Reed, President and CEO of Reed’s Fuel and Trucking, reveals the power of legacy, logistics precision, and putting people first.

In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Jason Reed — fourth-generation trucker and head of Reed’s Fuel and Trucking — to talk about multi-generational leadership, extreme service demands, and the real numbers behind running a 40-truck fleet. Based in Eugene, Oregon, Jason’s team hauls wood residuals under one of the tightest customer schedules in the game: a load every 30 minutes.

From navigating the 2008 crash to managing high-mileage equipment with surgical precision, Jason lays out real-world business strategies for fleet owners, future owner-operators, and anyone serious about scaling in trucking. This episode is packed with old-school values, modern tech, and practical advice from the shop floor to the CEO office.

Episode Highlights: 

📍 00:00:00 – Meet Jason Reed: 4th-gen trucker running a legacy business 📍 00:01:08 – What Reed’s Fuel and Trucking hauls — and why it’s nonstop 📍 00:02:36 – Starting young: Washing trucks at age six 📍 00:03:43 – A typical day as CEO of a 40-truck, 24/7 fleet 📍 00:05:19 – Why knowing your numbers is non-negotiable 📍 00:07:12 – Emissions tech and why modern trucks don’t last 📍 00:10:39 – Automatic vs. manual: What works for heavy-duty chip hauling 📍 00:12:22 – The best equipment strategy for new owner-operators 📍 00:13:07 – Reed’s 85-year evolution: From heating oil to high-frequency freight 📍 00:15:14 – Surviving 2008: Pivots, pain, and rebuilding with focus 📍 00:16:14 – Keeping “hands-on” leadership alive in a digital age 📍 00:17:25 – Generational shift: Managing today’s workforce 📍 00:19:05 – The secret to long-term customer relationships 📍 00:21:32 – Why cost-per-mile forecasting determines your fate 📍 00:23:06 – No contracts, just trust: The handshake model that works 📍 00:24:49 – Working with your bank: Financial partnership best practices 📍 00:26:04 – SOPs for scaling: Training drivers from truck 1 to truck 10 📍 00:27:08 – Dash cams, e-logs & digital mirrors: Tech that’s transforming fleets 📍 00:30:15 – Disc brakes and insurance: Small upgrades, big safety 📍 00:31:46 – The owner comes last: True leadership in trucking

🎙 About Our Guest: Jason Reed is the President and CEO of Reed’s Fuel and Trucking, a fourth-generation, family-run company based in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 1940, the business has evolved from heating oil delivery to a high-demand, 24/7 freight operation specializing in wood residuals. Jason leads with a hands-on style — from dispatch to driving — and is known for his strategic focus on customer partnerships and operational discipline.

📍 Website: https://www.reedsfuel.com/ 📍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-reed-0472a9b4/ 📧 Contact: Use social platforms or website for business inquiries.

 

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