FIXTITLE Todd Swenor.docx
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO WAIT
The Story
Of
Todd Swenor
When you inquire to another of a certain individual, usually their first couple of words used to describe that person is how they are best known. For instance, if they’re funny, outgoing or very private. How big their house is, isn’t mentioned in their initial description. Neither is the name brand of the clothes on their back. Nine times out of ten, a person is known for their character and personality. For these two features are naked to the eye, but they are what leaves a lasting impression on anyone they come in contact with. Of course, what generally comes second is how fat their wallet is and any type of title or position they hold. Depending on how superficial you are, hopefully your attributes and positive disposition will be what defines you before any material items in your possession or a designated caption. Like a car or a house, it’s nice to know all of the bells and whistles, but first tell me exactly what we’re looking at. Sell me on liking what’s at hand, or the rest doesn’t matter.
As I was interviewing this nominee I listened to every word, as I do all of my interviews, trying to learn more about the person. Each detail he uses to paint a picture of him growing up as a middle child from New Jersey, I begin to grasp his whole demeanor. In his voice, he sounds very confident but not in an arrogant way. I sense humility from a life time of hard work. As we discuss more in depth of how his life has lead him to where he is today, I would say the best way I would describe Todd Swenor in a nut shell is, he’s very hardworking. His entire nature is the pure definition of the word. Hardworking literally means; to work diligently and for long hours. Take notice to the word, ‘and.’ It doesn’t say, ‘or.’ It says, ‘and’ for the simple reasoning that the two parts, working AND for hours, go hand and hand… for an extended period of time. In the times of today, not many can be introduced to another of that caliber.
“True leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, though hard work.” –Vince Lombardi
Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it. Or as many say, hard work spotlights the character of a person. The only difference between dreams and achievement is the hard work.
Born in Princeton on September the 22nd, 1976 Todd was the middle child with an older brother and younger sister. His parents both played an active role in his life growing up and still do to this day. With trucking being in the family for the third generation starting with Todd’s grandfather, then his father, the inevitable was already in his blood. His uncle, on his father’s side owned a moving company that allowed Todd the opportunity to get his hands dirty at an early age. He also received double the exposure from his mother’s side of the family too. Her father and brother were mechanics and everything that took place in front of Todd’s eyes, he absorbed like a sponge. Growing up nothing else could hold his attention the way trucks did. Everything about them intrigued him. I’d say it was pretty much hook, line and sinker after his first road trip at eleven. “I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was the first time my father ever took me that far… we went all the way to South Carolina in his Kenworth Cabover. It was one hundred degrees because the air conditioner was broken but I didn’t care! We were out on the road and I was getting to see all kind of different things.”
All of his life Todd has held some type of job. Even as a young kid, he was on the go helping the men that introduced him to trucking, any way he knew how. His first job was at the age of fifteen, pumping gas at a local gas station. The job placed him in the perfect position. “All I wanted to do was be around the cars and trucks.” He saved up enough money to purchase his first vehicle at sixteen. It was a black 1981 Camaro that he later got his license in at seventeen. His next job, delivering pizzas allowed him the time to get more comfortable in the driver’s seat. He graduated that following spring in 1994 and joined his grandfather’s business working multiple jobs. Some days he would drive a small dump truck hauling sand or rock and other days he would clean up debris sites. Throughout the next couple of years, he worked around all of his family members in their respective businesses. Once he was ready, he decided to take off on the road hauling a variety of household goods to all 48 states. By eighteen, Todd was itching for more but his grandfather was ready to slow things down and retire. He made a decision to keep pursuing a driving career of his own and ventured toward the towing business.
It was during his successful, ten year stretch in towing when he came across a particular customer. It was late one afternoon, close to Todd’s time to clock out when he was assigned one more job. “At first I was not thrilled about it at all. Then when I pulled up to her car, a red Dodge Daytona, there stood a woman that I thought was absolutely beautiful. It hit me then, it was meant for me to stay at work that day!” Twenty year old, Ilyssa was stranded on the side of the road, after her car broke down. Little did she know that Cupid had stepped in to intercede. “Afterwards, I got her number and we went on our first date that night… it was all worth working late.” At the time, Ilyssa was a student in college. The two continued to date and wed in March of 2002. They exchanged their vows during a large ceremony with over 150 in attendance. The next year, the couple welcomed their first child, Amanda born January 19th and the following year their son, Troy came along on October 12th, 2004. Todd moved his family to Somerville, New Jersey. Everything was right on track. Ilyssa graduated college and is currently a corporate meeting planner.
In 2006, Todd was ready to get out of the towing business and opted to purchase a truck with intentions of going into business with his brother. He bought a brown 1999 International 9300 with a step deck trailer. He jumped in head first, without looking back. The majority of his time was spent on the road, trying to make as much money as possible. It was a sacrifice being away, but he knew that if he could take care of his loved ones at home by being able to provide more this way, then that’s what he did. He traveled all over, primarily carrying containers for the government. There were twenty five trucks in all, with supplies going to Iraq and Afghanistan. A couple of years later, Todd broke away and went back on the road for himself. The change was needed. He wanted to be at home more with his family. This time with a little more control of his schedule, he continued to drive back and forth to Chicago and was able to sleep in his own bed on the weekends.
It was about five years ago, a friend mentioned to Todd about another guy on Facebook. The man went by the name of Kut. In describing the new guy, Todd was told that he was an inspiration to others… this goes in a full circle, back to what I mentioned earlier. Kut wasn’t introduced as a flashy guy, popular among other drivers or a ladies man. None of the such. It was his generosity and his down-to-earth personality that lead the conversation. Next, he was told of Kut’s club, Chi-Town Large Cars and the background of his story. On a limb, Todd decided to reach out to him. “I remember after we chatted a bit, he kept wanting to meet up. He told me to stop by and see him but I was non-stop back then. If I wasn’t in the office working, I was on the road working.” As time went by, Todd began running on fumes. Ilyssa urged her husband to slow down and take a break. She encouraged Todd to swing by and visit with Kut and some of the guys, just to relax for a bit. “It was on a Friday, I met up with him and some of the original members of the group at a shop.” The rest he can only describe as, overwhelming. Getting to know each member and realizing what the club, Chi-Town Large Cars was all about, relit a fire in Todd. At the same time, he was given a new family. From the moment he first met Kut and the others, a brotherhood was formed. “They understood me. When I was going through some difficult times, with my business and finances… they were there to slow me down and help me see things in a different way. All of them were a huge, positive impact in my life, just when I needed them.” After that, he made it a point to meet up once a week. Within a month later, Todd joined Chi-Town Large Cars as the first member from the East Coast.
When Todd became a member, there were only between 25 to 30 members. The club’s reputation began to proceed them. The more involved Chi-Town Large Cars became in their communities and the world of trucking, the more lives were being changed for the better. The primary goal of the original group was to bring back the positive image of truckers to the forefront of our business. In doing so, by reaching out to families in need, volunteering with charities and raising money for fundraisers. All to benefit others! Their mission as a branded family is held on high regard and not taken lightly. “Each one of us understands the meaning of respect and loyalty and we choose to honor each other with nothing less. We also make it a point to demonstrate these values through each benefit that we’re involved in.” Chi-Town Large Cars now have a total of 120 members in 3 countries including the U.S., Canada and Australia. Todd was appointed the President of the East Coast Chapter and continues to educate others on what it is that professional truck drivers really do for a living. “People need to know how vital trucking is to our economy. And with Chi-Town Large Cars we’re able to give a helping hand and assist people that wouldn’t normally expect help from people like us.” Todd goes on to express his passion for his club family and his strong belief in the ethics behind their vastly growing organization. Having his share of rough patches, he remembers the struggle and what it was like not having anyone to help him out; having to do everything on his own. To be able to help others that are in similar situations, means everything to him.
Another wise man once said…
“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”-Vince Lombardi
Still in his International, Todd picked up some extra loads through a broker with Trans American Trucking. About three years ago he decided it was time to simplify his life. He leased to Trans American and made the switch from 48 states to a 500 mile radius of New Jersey. In exchange for a less demanding schedule, he is home every night with his wife and kids. “I consider myself lucky the way things turned out. I can be a dad again.” With over a million and half miles to date and numerous truck show awards, Todd has plenty to be proud of. He enjoys taking his son to the U.S. Diesel Truckin’ Nationals held every third Saturday of September at the Raceway Park in Englishtown, located in his home state of New Jersey. “It’s the largest one-day truck show in the country. They’ll have over 1,000 trucks and drag racing going on all day.” There’s a lot to do that includes everyone. Very family friendly. At trucking events like this particular one, he’s able to see people that he normally don’t get to visit with. Mostly friends and other members that share his love for trucks that also come to be surrounded with the familiar ambiance. He mentions how Troy is just as fascinated with the trucks, like how he was as a child. During the summers when school is out, you can find Troy riding shotgun right next to his father. That tradition began when Troy turned four. As for his daughter, she follows in the footsteps of Todd’s mother. “Now, Amanda plays softball but she’s our fashion girl. My mother is an interior designer and that’s where Amanda gets it from. She’s been going to fashion camp during her summers to learn more about fashion, then she’ll come home and make her own clothes. I have to say, she’s very creative.” When Todd is away from his happy home working, he takes his best friend, Mack on the road with him. Mack is his five year old, sixty pound white bulldog. The two travel everywhere together, every day. That’s how Todd earned the name, Bulldog. His four-legged buddy was rescued by another driver and came home with Todd about a year and a half ago. Should you ever see Todd on the road, in his signature brown truck, look for Mack too. He’ll be wearing his black Chi-Town Large Cars shirt proudly. Just like Todd.