The Oakley Podcast

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.

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett explains why Oakley Trucking began buying and renting trucks to its owner operators as a solution to long downtime caused by modern emissions-related breakdowns. He walks through the evolution from pairing drivers to using MHC Leasing and ultimately building Oakley’s own small fleet of rental Kenworths, primarily for owner operators whose trucks are down or no longer worth repairing. Jeremy shares feedback from drivers like Rico and Brandon, who highlight reduced maintenance headaches, better cash flow, and tax advantages, while clarifying that renters are still treated as 1099s and are responsible for certain costs like flats or damage. He also touches on current fuel discounts, the importance of sending complete safety paperwork, and previews upcoming episodes like having your own authority versus leasing to a company, and more.

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 producer Anna Belle Burrow and longtime Oakley team member Corey Huey to look back on how the show started, evolved, and grew into a 100,000-subscriber podcast. They walk through the early days of CDs, basic video shoots, and audio-only recordings launched during COVID as a way to communicate with owner-operators, and how partnering with Heard Media helped them learn podcasting and distribution. The conversation covers the studio’s transformation, favorite and most surprising episodes (including Luigi, Major General Bob Walters, JanTran, and episodes with Oakley leadership and drivers), as well as how driver stories, authenticity, and listener feedback have turned the podcast into a powerful tool for recruiting, retention, and brand-building. They close by reflecting on lessons learned about the trucking industry, the importance of celebrating truck drivers, and their excitement for the show’s future growth and content.

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 Bruce Oakley safety leaders Lee Huff and Phil Butler to explore the often unseen world of terminal safety and compliance. They discuss Lee and Phil’s backgrounds, their responsibilities across multiple terminals, and how they work with regulatory agencies like OSHA, the EPA, the Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Safe Feed/Safe Food certifiers. Key topics include upgrading safety data sheet systems, vessel plans and Coast Guard inspections, required safety drills, fall protection (OSHA’s top-cited violation), CPR and fire extinguisher training, mobile equipment training, AI-enhanced camera and security systems, and rigorous feed-grade product traceability. A major takeaway is that safety is everyone’s responsibility: employees must use proper PPE, ask questions when unsure, look out for each other, and engage in daily safety talks so that when something does go wrong, they’re prepared to respond.

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 with Michael and Leslie Hopper, a husband-and-wife team at Oakley Trucking, to share their late-career transition into trucking and eventual success as owner-operators. They walk through Michael’s move from multi-unit management and daycare operations and Leslie’s 31-year restaurant career into trucking in their late 40s, starting with carriers like Werner, Tyson, U.S. Xpress, and FedEx Custom Critical before buying their own trucks and ultimately landing at Oakley. The Hoppers explain how teaming works day vs. night, how they became a top revenue truck pulling an end dump, why they’re now moving to pneumatics for longer miles and higher pay, and how trucking allowed them to buy a home, build retirement, and support a large blended family. Their key message: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, owner-operator trucking can be a powerful path to financial freedom, and companies like Oakley can make the leap from company driver to business owner much more achievable.

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 Owner-Operator Felipe Sanchez and his dispatcher, Sam Plafcan, to explore what makes a strong driver–dispatcher relationship at Oakley Trucking. Felipe shares his journey from growing up in Panama to moving to New York and Atlanta, working 15 years in warehouses, and finally becoming an owner-operator during the pandemic. Sam discusses his journey from farming and hauling grain to dispatch, including learning equipment in the shop and managing 30–40 different driver personalities. Together, they tackle real-world challenges such as Atlanta traffic, short runs, tight customer hours, and planning loads to meet weekly mileage goals. The key takeaways are the importance of communication, mutual respect, and trust in the process: drivers must speak up without being disrespectful, dispatch has to understand what happens on the road, and both sides share responsibility in turning “bad days” into strong weeks. The episode also touches on Felipe’s family life, his pride in his Panamanian roots, and why he feels Oakley’s culture, organization, and customer service help motivated owner operators succeed.

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, Veteran owner-operator Scott Erickson joins the Oakley Podcast to share his 44-year journey in trucking, from falling in love with big rigs as a kid to running his own authority, losing everything when a family member stole his wife’s lucrative business, and rebuilding life on a small Kansas farm. He talks about transitioning from reefer to Oakley’s hopper division, why bulk work, though more exhausting, feels more meaningful, and how mental health challenges and isolation on the road have affected him and other drivers. Scott also tells the wild story of trading in a paid-for Peterbilt for a “deal of a lifetime” 389 that immediately blew up, only to receive a full in-frame at no cost. Through it all, he emphasizes resilience, the importance of family support, realistic expectations about owner-operator finances, and why he has no plans to ever retire from the job he loves.

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.