MANY RICHES - Gordon Cowger

MANY RICHES

Legend Nominee: Gordon Cowger

This Legend driver became an owner operator for the pure love of solitude and the beauty in our country. To escape the workspace trapped within four walls, the serenity of an open road offered a sense of peace that never seizes to grow old for him.

“I wanted to explore different places, every day I woke up in a new world. There’s not many professions where you get to do this sort of thing and enjoy it. Traveling all over, meeting and interacting with new people, it’s so interesting. The way the world keeps changing, the cities and cultures, you almost never see the same thing twice. Driving a truck, I have seen more in my lifetime than one could ever imagine.”

-Gordon Cowger

Gordon Cowger of Teutopolis, Illinois, has 44 years of truck driving experience, well over 4-million miles under his belt and is admired by many within the trucking community, yet he has managed to remain under the radar for the majority of his career. Respecting his intention for privacy, when Gordon decided to share his personal journey as a professional truck driver for nearly half a century I was beyond ecstatic. With his impressive background as an owner operator, the silent influence available at the hands of our reading audience is invaluable for the drivers currently seeking guidance within an industry steadily evolving.

Having leased on to Mercer Transportation in 1992, though unpretentious and humble in nature, Gordon’s strict work ethic and perseverance continue to earn him recognition with honors, such as; Top 10 Revenue Driver, several accident-free certificates and his latest, the prestigious 3-million-mile award. This significant milestone marks his proudest career achievement. Stating,

“For as long as I’ve been driving I had never really kept up with it. Then, Mercer called to announce that I was their latest 3-million-mile recipient. I was acknowledged at an awards banquet, given a plaque, a ring and a jacket of my choosing. All of my life, I’ve always liked a good challenge when doing stuff and that’s exactly what driving a truck has been for me personally. It’s never been about any awards or presentations. In a way, I’m providing for families all across the country and also taking care of my own.

Plus, with the new electronics involved I’ve had to learn to adapt over the years. See, I started back when all you needed to land a job driving a truck was shoes, jeans, a shirt, hat and your driver’s license. So, being awarded this honor after all this time is a nice reminder that I’ve been doing it right. And to have a company appreciate that is even better.”

A year prior to joining the sizeable fleet of independent contractors at Mercer, Gordon was first tuned into the specialized carrier through a friend that was already driving for the company. Once eligible with enough flatbed experience, he too made the move. Fast forward to today, having dedicated over 25 years of service to Mercer, Gordon claims his list of reasons for his loyalty to the company is quite lengthy, starting with the following:

-Their professionalism as an established nationwide supplier.

-The flexibility, independence and hassle-free work environment.

-Variety of locations to choose from and compliance with his earned seniority.

-And most importantly, great pay!

With the majority of his experience consisting of bulk and flatbed, hauling steel is his preferred freight. Gordon is currently in his seventh truck, a 2007 International 9900 IX, which he purchased brand-new in 2006.

Married 31 years, Gordon and his wife, Vickey seem to have found a way to balance the demanding lifestyle of trucking with his family’s schedule, to include him, minimizing his absence in-between multiple days away. Typically, home every weekend, each time Gordon returns he is greeted with love and open arms. As all truckers should be after a work trip out on the road.

With 20 years’ experience as a safety director within the trucking industry, Vickey understands that when her husband says that he will be home by 6pm, in reality she looks for him around 8. Adding, “Gordon takes his job extremely personal, especially when it comes to providing quality service for his customers. Punctuality is big when work is involved, and I respect that. After this many years, we’ve learned how the business works and I also know that every dollar he earns goes to our family. He provides for us the hard way, driving a truck for a living is not easy. He sacrifices lots of family time; events, birthdays, many personal aspects of our lives as a father and a husband. So, everyone makes a point to visit with him when he is home.”

Back in 1986, 30 miles from home the motor in Gordon’s truck went out. Vickey happened to be the secretary at the shop that night and the rest is history. They have similar backgrounds, both come from hard-working families that farmed as a means of income. The two shared many common interests, one being a desire to travel.

In agreement, they would spend one year in the truck as Gordon worked over the road, if the couple found themselves still amicable afterwards, then they would discuss marriage. As Gordon and I share in the humor of this ultimatum, I love the fact that we all know the happy ending to this playful arrangement. “Honestly, it was an adjustment to start with,” Gordon says. “But we grew accustomed to it quickly and really enjoyed each other’s company. She handled the paperwork and could read a map better than me!”

Vickey and Gordon were wed in 1987 and she continued to ride in the truck for an additional 3 years. She also inherited 3 beautiful step-children; Darlene, Jacque and Jacob, along with 4 grandchildren that they both adore. When Vickey came off the road to work full-time, their number one rule was to maintain an open line of communication. Stating,

“We talk 3 times a day… we always have, even in the beginning. That way we can’t forget anything that may have happened in each other’s worlds. With him being away the majority of the time, I have to keep an open mind and understand that he can’t be home for everything, but that’s where the 3 calls come into effect. He is a very family-oriented man with a huge heart. It’s important to him that he stays connected, but also provide for us the best he can.”

Every year, they all go on a family vacation, as their grandchildren now range from 6 years old to 16, who all live less than an hour in distance and visit often. When able, Gordon joins Vickey in attendance for their musical or theatrical events. If a weekend unveils no plans, the couple enjoys quality time simply sitting on their front porch drinking coffee together. Gordon adds, if a truck driver is in a relationship, the partner must be on the same page for the relationship to last. He says, “Phones today make things a lot easier. Every time it was time for us to talk, I had to stop and use a pay phone. Our phone bill was high, and it took a lot of effort on both sides, but that communication was just as important for me as it was for her and our kids. There is no special formula to make it work, we just know what works for us.”

As a former company driver, transitioning to an owner operator had its share of obstacles. Gordon’s cardinal rule for anyone considering the same career move is to prepare for the unexpected. Meaning, as an owner operator expenses add up quick and any unanticipated finances can quickly change the dynamic. Claiming to have learned the hard way, with regular maintenance, flat tires, engine repairs, etc., if you “mind your pennies and dollars, everything else will fall into place.”

Born and raised on a grain farm in a small, country town known as Ingraham, located in his home state of Illinois, Gordon grew up riding farm equipment at the age of 7 and was driving a pickup truck by 9. His parents managed a grain elevator for a local farmer where locals hauled in grain, corn and wheat. Gordon rode with his parents regularly in old Mack trucks or tandems. Their 80-acre farm had cattle, pigs and chickens, which Gordon helped with for many years. His first official job was bailing hay, at 9 years old. He gladly accepted his role as a farm-hand, knowing even then that he favored outdoors rather than being inside.

After high school, Gordon went to work for a guy that owned a small trucking company unloading trucks of fertilizer. For 2 years, he hauled dirt, grain, rock and lime in 1960 and 1970 model Chevrolet trucks that were 10-wheelers with gas motors. Next, he landed a driving position for a family-owned corporation out of Minneapolis, Minnesota pulling bulk trailers throughout Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, returning home every night. Nine years later, he was ready to cross over.

In 1982, Gordon purchased his first truck, a 1979 GMC Astro and leased on with a small company out of Charleston, Illinois transporting empty trailers all over the U.S. Next, he moved onto empty railroad container trailers, then landed with an outfit pulling flatbed hauling steel and firebrick. He had found his niche. With his second truck, a 1981 Cabover Peterbilt, he added a driver and leased both trucks. Come 1992, he traded his International for his first brand-new truck; a maroon 1993 Western Star. 5 years later, he purchased another new truck, a 1998 Western Star eventually returning to International trucks in 2001, and now with his 2006.

Nice equipment, business-oriented mindset and a compassionate spouse are all the components needed to succeed as a truck driver, but Gordon reiterates that the key to true happiness is at the heart of every driver. He says, “You have to really enjoy it, because that passion is what pushes you to work harder, to do what you have to do to make it work on the days when the job gets too hard or you miss your family. This job takes more than dedication, you have to love what you do.”

In the beginning of our interview, Gordon made it clear that he is a man of few words but prides himself in speaking the truth at all times. He believes that being dependable for those that rely on you, whether it family or work related, means always standing behind your word. And that his driving record validates his success as a professional truck driver, as his family proves that he is a man of many riches.