18 Wheels of Justice Presents -
The Maverick Way
With so many options available to drivers today, 18 Wheels of Justice likes to meet with the carriers who actually deliver on what they promise to drivers. We like to find out more about the company and its appeal to not only attracting good drivers, but keeping them. We are proud to present – Maverick Transportation.
Born in 1953, growing up in a small Missouri town, Maverick Chairman and CEO Steve Williams took his father's lessons to heart and began a career in transportation. In 1975, he went to work for Steel Haulers, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri.
After President Jimmy Carter signed the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, deregulating the trucking industry, Williams seized the opportunity to pursue his dream and started Maverick with friend and co-worker Larry Leahy in a one room office in Texarkana, Arkansas. In 1983, he purchased his partner's interest in the company and became the sole owner of Maverick Transportation, Inc. Today the Williams family still owns 100% of the Maverick companies.
Maverick's growth in the past 30 years has been built on Mr. Williams' principles and values of what is referred to as "The Maverick Way" which is doing what you say you will do with integrity, respect and commitment.
Whether it is hauling steel, building materials, flat glass or temperature controlled products, striving to be the best can be seen in everything Maverick does. Maverick Transportation has an amazing story. With an owner like Mr. Williams, who built the company from the ground up, everyone here knows what hard work is and what a driver goes through. This work ethic and attitude resonates throughout Maverick.
18 Wheels of Justice visited with Ms. Spring Dixon of Maverick Transportation to discuss the various aspects of the company and to get a better understanding of Maverick’s appeal to drivers.
Spring was kind enough to take time to answer my questions about Maverick. Here are some excerpts from the 18 Wheels of Justice Interview...
- "Ms. Dixon, First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Maverick Transportation is a world class trucking company and we are pleased to have you here.
Now, some things we would like to know about you and Maverick are:
How long have you been here? Why did you decide to work here? What is the best thing about Maverick in 7 words or less?
Thank you for featuring us! It's funny you ask that regarding my tenure because today is actually my 10 year anniversary at Maverick (true story!) I worked for an ad agency that only serviced trucking companies’ right out of college. So I knew Maverick and Maverick has always had such a positive reputation in the industry. When this position opened up I was thrilled! I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity and here we are 10 yrs later. I'm in a position that I get to see "behind the scenes" on the high level management side of things and I have to say - our leadership ALWAYS has its heart in the right place, with the drivers. I can 100% honestly say that they make decisions based on how it will affect the people that work here, that's a rarity these days. In 7 words or less - I'd go with, "Nobody Does Trucking Like We Do!" The Maverick Way - 800-289-1100
- Thank you, Ms. Dixon.... The fact that you have been here for ten years says a lot about Maverick.
It seems like a lot of companies promise the world to drivers and operators, and when they come aboard, sometimes they don't follow through with the promises. This is one of the biggest reasons drivers and operators leave a company. Drivers and Operators take a big chance when they sign with a new company and they are understandably hesitant. Does Maverick help drivers and operators who have just started make sure that the promises are followed through on? How is this handled?
You are absolutely right! I think that's one of the main reasons turnover is SO high in this industry (beyond the obvious that this is a very hard profession to do day in and day out) At Maverick, we don’t believe in sugar coating or hidden agendas.
The Maverick Way - 800-289-1100
From the moment a driver speaks to a recruiter on the phone, to the moment they are given a truck, we’re honest, up front, and clear about the expectations of our drivers. And those expectations are high. Probably higher than any other carrier out there.
But more specifically, we do all of our background checks, MVRs, etc on the front end (unlike a lot of companies) so when we invite a driver to orientation, we know we want this driver to be on our team. In addition, when a driver is set up for orientation, they can view all the information related to their position on our driver portal. Then we go through this information verbally to ensure we are on the same page....This includes an extremely detailed list of expectations, pay, what division they will drive in, home time, mileage averages, etc with every single driver before they come in for Orientation. We want new drivers to know EXACTLY what to expect. Part of our Orientation includes a "lifestyles" class that really digs into the life of a truck driver (the good, the bad and the ugly) and their loved ones are invited to call in to take part in this. In terms of home time - we NEVER make promises, our signature line is "this is an average; some get home more and some get home less." Let's be real here - this is trucking and there are NO guarantees. Any company that makes you a guarantee is fooling you and themselves. If we have a driver in Orientation that says, "but my recruiter said xyz" that contradicts whatever is being said in Orientation - the Recruiter will go over to class that day and work out the discrepancy in person. I've seen this happen countless times. That speaks to Maverick's integrity. And really - this concept starts with something as simple as our advertising. We don't say "Average $200k a year" just because our top driver does, that's not realistic. And it puts a bad taste in a potential driver's mouth the moment he ask about this $200k a year and the recruiter has to say "oh, that's just our top pay, but what you can REALLY expect is more along the lines of $60k." That isn't fair to the driver and it's not fair to the recruiter either.
- Thank you again, Ms. Dixon, I can see why Maverick is such a successful company. We really need more companies with honesty and integrity like Maverick in our industry. Drivers lose a lot of time and money when they switch companies. We never feature a trucking company on 18 Wheels of Justice that doesn’t meet our standards. Now, as we promised to our Texas audience, please tell me about the great opportunity for a dedicated run in Wichita Falls, TX and the benefits...
This is a great opportunity for those drivers within a 75 mile radius of Wichita Falls, TX. It primarily hauls glass and containers for our PPG account on flatbeds, doubles, step decks, and container chassis. We all know why a dedicated position is preferred by most drivers in terms of consistent pay and schedule, better home, etc. We can offer all of this with this position. Maverick has really made a conscious effort in 2012 to aggressively grow the dedicated side of our business.
Available Position in Wichita Falls, TX
Dedicated Glass Run - Wichita Falls, TX (multiple openings, immediate need)
• Must live within 75 mile radius of Wichita Falls, TX
• Weekends at home
• Class A CDL, 21 yrs old & 6 months OTR experience
• Previous flatbed and/or glass experience preferred
One of the many appealing aspects of driving for Maverick is the dedicated opportunites available in various areas of the country.
The Maverick Way - 800-289-1100
Today Maverick needs Drivers for Dedicated Runs in the following areas:
Carlisle, PA
Dewitt, IA
Carleton, MI
Sutton, WV
Wichita Falls, TX
The benefits are unlimited, home on weekends, predictable schedule (watch your kids grow up), guaranteed (Yes, Guaranteed) weekly pay, regardless of miles, and more. Drivers must live within 75 miles of these areas. Maverick is adding areas all the time, so to be sure to check with them and get on their driver list for future opportunities for Dedicated Opportunities. (See more information about the Dedicated Texas lanes below).
Contact a Recruiter Today about these Dedicated Opportunities!
1-800-289-1100
recruiting@maverickusa.com
Maverick is also a proud supporter of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We all have been touched by breast cancer in some way, shape or form. This is a great cause and we commend Maverick for their support. Maverick supports the foundation through financial sponsorship and team participation in each year’s race event held in Little Rock, AR. Maverick I committed to helping this great organization find a cure for breast cancer.
Maverick Web Page- Apply Now
Maverick Recruiting Email recruiting@maverickusa.com
Maverick Recruiting Phone 800-289-1100
The Maverick Way - 800-289-1100
