FIXTITLE Donna and Gary Eaves.docx

TWO TRUCKING AS ONE

Here, we feature two separate individuals stemming from opposite backgrounds brought together by love, survived through marriage in faith, working side by side both filled with a passion for an industry that they have devoted their lives to for 39 years, as a team. What started 42 years ago in exchanging of their wedding vows to one another, their promise to have a great marriage evolved into a successful business partnership benefitting all parties: husband, wife, and their business. Their minds’ capability functions with harmony, allowing the two to stay connected in a united effort, also strengthening their relationship as spouses.

Together, Donna and Gary Eaves of Drakesville, Iowa rely on one another, trust each other, and have learned what works best for them. By dedicating themselves to their marriage and putting each other’s needs first, they are able to come together and acknowledge the importance of focus needed to sustain their daily goals as one. They are currently running OTR as Owner Operators leased on to Graebel Van Lines, out of their Wisconsin terminal.

Donna first joined Gary on the road for the enjoyment of travel with her husband. Before trucking, she was working in the office of a local college. Spending time together away from home was always a plus for the couple. While riding with Gary she noticed that he could use some rest and debated if she should drive the truck. Unfortunately, without a valid commercial driver’s license she knew that was not legal. Needing her CDL weighed on her mind, then some advice from a close source gave her the little nudge that she needed.

Donna: “Gary’s mother made a statement that I took to heart. She told me that if I wanted our marriage to work, then I should be out on the road with Gary …not living apart. So I did! Except, not just as a supporting wife and passenger, but as his teammate; his right hand. I got my CDL in 1979.”

Gary: “I had drove for five years without Donna, locally. And I had been with Graebel Van Lines running solo for a little over half a year before she joined me. When I switched to over the road and teamed up with Donna, we just took off.”

With nearly 3 million miles combined, the Eaves are a huge staple for Graebel Van Lines. Presenting their experience and long-term commitment to the company, Donna and Gary have set such a positive standard for many to acquire influence from. The duo has continued to press forward through the years of change, within their profession, as well as, inside the walls of the company. Both have embraced change for the better, allowing themselves to grow and improve within the commercial enterprise of transportation.

Gary: “We knew Mr. Graebel personally and felt that he made the best decision he could with the sale of Graebel Van Lines to new management. Donna and I stuck with them through the transition because the trust was there.”

Donna: “Exactly! We were some of the first drivers onboard when they formed Graebel Van Lines. We both agree that they will take us, and most importantly our trucking careers [that we’ve worked so hard to build], further down the road. We like the direction we are headed and are glad to be a part of the whole team.”

Both born and raised in the state of Iowa, Gary grew up in the city while Donna resided on a farm. The one key element in common was their fathers’ long hours spent driving a truck. Gary is the fourth of five children. His father ran local work hauling eggs before landing a gig at a meat packaging plant. Surrounded by all types of farm life, Donna’s dad hauled livestock, grain and lime. After finishing high school, Gary debated on attending a community college. He was simply eager to learn a trade. His dilemma was between hotel management or taking a course in trucking to operate tractor trailers. He knew the quicker he completed school, the sooner he could begin work making more money. Trucking won the toss up. Immediately after earning his CDL, Gary went to work for a moving company.

Donna was the only girl, between two brothers. Everyone was hands-on at the family farm, including Donna. Eventually her brothers, like her father and uncles, all drove a truck. She grew fond of trucking and took a liking to cowboys. Gary scored one out of two for the win. The two had met on a typical night at the roller-skating rink and wed 36 days later.

After two years with Gary’s first moving company, he went to work for a mover in Wisconsin and relocated. A co-worker and trusted friend told Gary about Graebel and he soon switched companies. With more discussion, Gary educated himself in the difference between being a company driver and an Owner Operator. The OTR package provided the opportunity to travel all over the country, but Owner Operators were offered more pay. The only selling point needed.

Gary: “The moving business has always kept me busy and I get to meet new people every day. Taking the step from local to over the road just gave me a bigger and more broad view of everything. And I’m able to provide for a better life for us financially.”

Donna: “Our job basically consists of being paid to travel the country together. From coast to coast, border to border, Graebel Van Lines pays for us to visit each state. We have even been to five Canadian provinces. All for work. We enjoy it so much; we can hardly call it that.”

I inquired of the pair, to whom or what do they credit their success? And also for any encouraging words they wish to share with other drivers, new to the field or veterans that have reached a plateau. To reveal their understanding and insight of the business, knowing the counsel shared could be favorable to another I feel it is slightly our responsibility. Being recognized for your accomplishments is honorable and rewarding, yet inspiring others among your peers will cause an effect that will spread beyond your own abilities. It’s a beautiful thing.

Donna: “Gary is successful because he is extremely hardworking. You have to put in the time and work, you just have to. Otherwise you’re not doing your best. Plus, he is good at what he does which is a result from lots of discipline and intent to do well on every delivery with each customer. We complement each other. I handle the paperwork and bookkeeping. He does the rest. It works for us.

For those that are in our shoes, running as a team and you feel that you have exhausted your course: Look around you …see what you have and imagine if you would not have been given this opportunity. Some single drivers might not be able to do what we can and that’s okay. Don’t lose patience. As a team, we get to stay on the road longer. Take it all in and remember why we all started trucking to begin with.

If you’re just beginning your life in trucking, I urge you to enjoy the open road and the exquisite nature around you. Most people never get to experience what we get to see. Each day is different, live your life to the fullest. Don’t let things get you down. Let your positive attitude guide you and you’ll go far!”

Donna and Gary have been named Graebel Van Lines, Safety Driver of the Month and Safety Driver of the Year multiple times, while representing their All-Star Fleet for a number of consecutive years. They currently run mostly East to West, heavily throughout the Midwest to California being their 2014 Kenworth T660 is compliant with California’s regulations.

To have created a livelihood doing what you love with a company held in great respect within an industry well-known for its fluctuating principles is a great achievement. Through constant progress, this husband and wife duo has built a track record deserving of praise. Separate the two and you will find that both individuals are genuine, honest, and loyal. Paired together are two of Graebel Van Lines’ highly valued and reputable drivers. As a trucking team, Donna and Gary are admired among the large workforce of drivers and appreciated by the staff and personnel in the office.

Gary: “The main reason we have stayed with Graebel Van Lines so long is because of the men and women we have grown to know at the company. It has always been a family-oriented operation and building relationships with Mr. Graebel and his sons has helped lay the foundation to our careers here, at Graebel. The many drivers we have met over the years have become like family to us. The comradery has kept us planted with the company and given us so many friends along the way. We have remained in touch with a lot of drivers that have since retired. It’s always exciting when we get to come through town and get a chance to hang out with all of our extended family. We don’t have the average 8 to 5 job where we communicate with our friends at work. It is sort of like having all of our close neighbors out on the road at the same time and when we get back home it’s nice to finally be together and catch up.”

Donna: “We are usually gone 300 days out of the year. Of course, we pass through loaded or what not, until mid-December. During that time, we shut down and spend quality time with our family. My mother is 95 years old and still on her own. So spending Christmas with her and everyone else is important to us.”

Taking a step back and glancing over the periodic revolution of trucking, Donna makes a valid point. The occurrence of our trucking industry’s production leads with the latest innovations and the most advanced developments on the market every day.

Donna: “Trucking today, versus back then and the types of trucks are no doubt considered luxury. There is no comparing the two. Now we have equipment with nice air conditioning and heat with big bunks to sleep in. The accommodations go on and tailor to you, the driver. For that reason alone, there should be a lot of pride in trucking. The trucks today are built for us, for what we do. There is absolutely nothing that we own that has not been transported through trucking. Every truck driver should take pride in that, knowing that because of our profession the shelves at the store for every family’s needs are fully stocked. We did that! Together. Each and every professional trucker should be proud.”

Gary: “We are today’s mechanic and modern day cowboy-drifter traveling from one coast to another keeping our country viable.”