The Oakley Podcast

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Wade Thompson, longtime Oakley employee and shop foreman at the Reserve, Louisiana terminal, to spotlight the people and capabilities that keep this location running. Wade shares his journey from Arkansas to Reserve, how his family settled into the community, and what day-to-day operations look like across the shop and three wash bays, including specialized services like kosher washes and blower service. They discuss common trailer repairs, the importance of driver pre-trip inspections, the challenges of being short-staffed as more over-the-road trucks come through, and how the team handles demand and outside wash customers. Wade also recounts how a major hurricane affected the facility and the lengthy recovery process. Key takeaways for listeners include the depth of services available at the Reserve terminal, the critical role of maintenance and wash operations in supporting drivers, and Wade and his crew's dedication to keeping Oakley equipment and customer units safe, clean, and on the road.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Oakley Podcast Intro and Info on Company Party and Truck Show (0:42)
• Introducing Shop Foreman Wade Thompson and His Oakley Tenure (9:45)
• Community, Friends, and Small-Town Feel in Reserve (11:12)
• Overview of Reserve Terminal Capabilities and Limitations (13:24)
• What a Kosher Wash Is and How It’s Done (15:53)
• Trailer Care Tips and Importance of Pre-Trip Inspections (17:58)
• Travel Back to Arkansas and Company Party Plans (20:08)
• Labor Time and Cost of Bent Hinge Repairs (23:13)
• Services on Blowers, Wet Kit Issues, and Air Dryer Advice (26:17)
• Work Ethic, Early Starts, and Keeping Operations Moving (29:04)
• Lessons Learned on Parking Equipment During Storms (32:36)
• Jeremy’s Appreciation for Wade, Staff, and Trucking Community (34:33)

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

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This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down at Oakley’s Reserve, Louisiana terminal with owner-operator Kenny Spears from Baton Rouge to talk about his journey in trucking, his family life with his wife Brittany and their six kids, and his path from company driver to owner-operator. Kenny shares how his late father inspired his love for trucking, how a surprise call from Oakley recruiter Harrison Harold led him to take a leap of faith into ownership in 2021, and the serious challenges he faced when his truck went down for three months and later caught fire due to alternator wiring issues. He explains how faith, family, friends, and a determined mechanic helped him push through those obstacles, and how a dedicated route now lets him be home every night. Throughout the conversation, Kenny emphasizes safety, discipline in maintaining his truck, the financial and personal rewards of being an owner-operator, and encourages company drivers not to wait for a “sign” but to step out and pursue ownership with persistence and trust in God.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Introduction, Driver Appreciation Week, and Upcoming Louisiana Episodes (0:42)
• Meet Kenny Spears, His Family, and Life With Six Kids (4:35)
• Becoming an Oakley Owner-Operator and Dedicated Oxbow Haul (7:18)
• Fears About Money, Responsibility, and Providing for a Family (11:08)
• Truck Down for Three Months, Financial Struggles, and Family Support (12:35)
• Truck Finally Running Strong and Support From Dispatch (17:39)
• Most Rewarding Parts of the Job, Pay, and Coworker Relationships (22:44)
• Public Perception of Truck Drivers and Respect for the Profession (24:41)
• Advice to Company Drivers Thinking About Becoming Owner Operators (26:29)
• Positivity, Not Giving Up, and Faith Through Hard Times and Parting Thoughts (29:10)

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down at Oakley’s Reserve Terminal in Louisiana with dispatchers Dillon Falgoust and Matt Arceneaux to highlight the people and operations behind the scenes. They share how they started in the shop before moving into dispatch, what they learned about trucking, hours of service, and safety, and how much respect they’ve gained for professional drivers. The conversation dives into what makes an Owner Operator of the Year, including communication, reliability, clean equipment, and strong customer relationships, as well as how they review settlements and partner with drivers to hit income goals. They also discuss the tight-knit culture at the Reserve terminal, coordination with the North Little Rock office, the importance of safety in end-dump operations, and how Oakley’s high standards for appearance and professionalism set their owner-operators apart. Overall, the episode gives listeners an inside look at how dispatch and drivers work together as a team to build successful, family-supporting careers in trucking.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

• Welcome to This Week’s Episode And Driver Appreciation Week (0:53)
• Highlighting Reserve Louisiana Terminal And Jeremy’s Early Story There (4:23)
• Dillon’s Background, Family, And Path From Shop To Dispatch (6:03)
• Matt’s Background, Time In the Shop, And Move Into Local Dispatch (9:58)
• Lessons Learned Moving From Construction To Fast-Paced Dispatch Work (13:00)
• What Makes an Owner-Operator of the Year And Qualities That Stand Out (17:30)
• Reviewing Settlements, Driver Income Goals, And Handling Slow Weeks (20:12)
• Hours Of Service, Driver Clocks, And Planning Loads Around Time Limits (26:30)
• Opportunities Around Reserve Terminal And Need For More Owner Operators (30:45)
• Showing Drivers As Normal Hardworking Neighbors (33:25)
• Possible Upgrades To Driver Showers And Making Terminal More Comfortable (35:09)
• High Standards For Oakley Owner Operators (37:30)
• Comparing Oakley Trucks To Other Carriers And Attracting Potential Recruits (39:02)
• Closing Thoughts and Appreciation For Drivers (40:41)

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with long-time shop foreman Toby Bishop to unpack how Oakley’s shop operations are evolving to better serve owner-operators. They cover the design and opening of the new West Shop, the full remodel of the East Shop, and planned upgrades to the wash bay, including floor and lighting improvements. Toby explains Oakley’s work-release and reentry programs with the state of Arkansas, highlighting how they give incarcerated individuals a real second chance and help them become strong employees. A major focus is the upcoming fleet-wide tire and wheel change from 11R24.5 to 22.5, why manufacturers are phasing out 24.5s, and how Oakley will manage costs, casings, and logistics during the transition. They also discuss trailer specs with MAC, strategies for keeping trailers looking sharp, and the underused capabilities of the Reserve LA terminal. The key takeaway for drivers: Oakley is investing heavily in facilities, equipment, and people to improve efficiency, safety, appearance, and long-term cost savings, and driver communication is critical to making these changes work.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh to unpack several key issues affecting truckers today, including the Freedom Haulers initiative that helps military veterans transition into civilian trucking by waiving certain CDL tests, and why carriers still need to provide extra training and support so veterans don’t get caught in industry churn. They dig into Delilah’s Law and related DOT rule changes on English proficiency and non-domiciled CDLs, stressing the need for drivers to contact lawmakers to get these protections codified. Lewie updates listeners on broker transparency efforts, widespread fraud, and why building direct shipper relationships matters more than ever. They also cover the national truck parking shortage, new funding and expansion projects (like on I‑70 and in Illinois), and how future highway bills could add more free parking capacity. Finally, they discuss the sting of surging fuel prices, the importance of solid fuel surcharge structures and discounts (including OOIDA’s fuel card), and the broader mission of OOIDA to advocate for drivers, lower turnover, and keep small trucking businesses alive.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Oakley owner-operator Aaron Murphy and recruiter Dustin Eagle to share Aaron’s powerful journey from plumber and screen printer to truck driver, through a prison sentence, and back into trucking with a clear plan and written goals. Aaron talks about running under his own authority, going $75,000 into debt from breakdowns, and why he ultimately chose to lease on with Oakley for stability and support. They discuss moving from California to a rural property in Oklahoma, breeding Cane Corso dogs, and what life on the road is really like with all the planning and safety that demands. Aaron explains the challenges and rewards of pulling a dump trailer, the importance of a strong dispatcher relationship, and how family support, especially from his wife, made becoming a successful owner-operator possible. He also shares how his YouTube channel “Vlog Per Mile” gives honest advice to drivers, and how he prides himself on being a top safety performer, constantly chasing the #1 green score in Oakley’s fleet.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with pneumatic operations managers Austin Allen and Bradley Simpson to break down Oakley’s pneumatic division, including straight “dirt” tanks and vacuum pneumatics. They explain how pneumatic tanks work, why customers choose them for dry bulk products going into silos and plants, and how vacuum trailers can both load and unload material, especially plastics from rail cars. The conversation covers day-to-day operational challenges, the critical role of communication with dispatch and customers, and the intense focus on trailer cleanliness to avoid costly contamination issues. They also walk through how new drivers are trained, common rookie mistakes, what makes a top-tier pneumatic owner-operator, and why experience, patience, and professionalism at customer facilities are essential. Finally, they highlight strong freight demand, growth opportunities, new equipment coming in, and the higher pay and expectations that come with being part of Oakley’s pneumatic and vacuum pneumatic operations.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with young dispatchers Kyle Williams and Alden Hazelwood to talk about their paths to Oakley Trucking, starting in the shop, and how that hands-on experience now shapes the way they dispatch. They discuss key topics like the 2290 heavy road use tax reminder, the dangers of road rage and speeding, and why communication between drivers, dispatch, and customers is critical. Kyle and Alden explain their day-to-day responsibilities, how they plan loads, manage problems like breakdowns, and track settlements to ensure owner-operators get good miles and pay. They also highlight the importance of relationships, understanding geography and different dry bulk divisions (hoppers, pneumatics, end dumps), and seeing things from both the customer and driver perspective. The main takeaway for listeners is that successful trucking at Oakley depends on safety, clear communication, mutual trust, and a shared commitment between dispatch and owner-operators to pull in the same direction.

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett talks with Oakley owner-operator Eddie Wormsbacher about his path from working in his dad’s kids’ furniture business in Michigan to hauling 160,000 lb heavy loads and eventually becoming a dry bulk owner operator at Oakley Trucking. Eddie shares how the collapse of the family business pushed him into trucking in 2010, his early struggles as a company driver, and the scary leap into owning his own truck, including the financial risk, maintenance realities, and insurance challenges. He opens up about balancing life on the road with a 30-year marriage, three kids, and a new grandchild, as well as how his background in customer service shapes the way he treats shippers, receivers, and Oakley’s reputation. Throughout the conversation, Eddie and Jeremy highlight key takeaways about discipline with money, the importance of safety and dealing with distracted drivers, Oakley’s high expectations and support, and why real success as an owner operator comes down to mindset, responsibility, and family priorities. 

Key topics in today’s conversation include:

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Hopper Division Operations Managers Bryan Hill and Russell Vallance to break down how Oakley’s Hopper Division works, who it’s right for, and why it’s growing. They explain Oakley’s three dry bulk divisions (hoppers, end dumps, pneumatics), how hopper freight is consistent with many repeat customers (roofing granules, pet food, etc.), and why hoppers are often the simplest way for an owner-operator to get started, with no need for a wet kit or blower and relatively light trailers. They discuss pros such as steady freight, regular lanes, the ability to get many drivers home most weekends, and strong customer relationships, as well as cons including cleaning out trailers and competition from smaller hopper carriers. The conversation highlights how dispatchers are motivated to keep drivers generating revenue, the importance of effective communication regarding load times and breakdowns, the role of technology and e-logs in day-to-day operations, and specific growth needs in regions such as Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and the Carolinas. Overall, the key takeaway is that Oakley’s hopper division offers a strong niche with solid earning potential and consistency for committed owner-operators who value service and communication.

Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.