PAINTED TRUE - George Maltby

PAINTED TRUE

Legend Nominee: George Maltby

Palm Desert is known for its subtropical desert climate and picture-perfect views of the surrounding mountains and outstretched landscape. Nestled in the southern region of California, as warmer weather approaches, snake season is soon to follow. It is not uncommon to spot snakes year-round, despite the ability to adapt and blend in with their environment. As for cooler months, snakes tend to become more active during the daytime.

With that lovely bit of information, I can officially scratch any plans of visiting the entire southwestern hemisphere of the states. At least until I can block out the visual that continues to creep into my mind when I hear the word, snake. Seen the movie, Tremors? – from back in the 90’s with Kevin Bacon… I believe it’s classified as a comedy, although anything that crawls, creeps, or slithers (fictional creatures included!) should always fall under, horror.

As I’m conducting my over-the-phone interview with this Legend driver, we discuss his own snake encounter while parked at a truck stop out in Palm Desert. I’m sitting in my chair with my legs tucked under me, as if the reptile will suddenly appear under my desk upon hearing our conversation. I listen to his words, in my mind the size of the snake that hid in between a tire and fender of his semi was indeed from the horror flick that tried to devour our beloved, Reba McEntire! He states,

“I’ll never forget that day, even though it’s been almost 30 years. I was coming out from grabbing a bite to eat and this guy yells out to me, ‘Hey! Make sure you look under your truck and around the tires. Snakes will get under there to get warm.’ And sure enough, I found one! Since that day, I double check under my truck every time I walk by. I don’t care if it’s 20 below zero, I always look under there. It’s something that has stuck with me.”

He hasn’t come face to face with another snake again, although he found a cat once. I can return my feet under the desk for that story…

SOWING SEEDS

Air Force veteran, George Maltby is an owner operator leased on to Specialized Transportation (STI), based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has accumulated well-over 2-million safe miles throughout his professional driving career. Born in Detroit, Michigan, to parents George II and Faye, he is the fourth child of five in total (naming him George III; also the fourth to carry on his given name). Faye tended to the children and housework full-time, while George II drove a truck for a living. His father before him, George Jr. also drove trucks during WWII; George keeps the family legacy alive as their third-generation trucker.

George grew up on the countryside of northern Michigan until age 10, when his family relocated to California’s San Fernando Valley, located in Los Angeles. A natural athlete, he earned a position on the little league division for the American Legion Team, as a pitcher. He played 13 years, on into the minor leagues. Though he excelled in the sport, baseball was never able to grasp his full attention.

As soon as George could walk, he was planted beside his father in a big rig, as the two hit the road together, making memories he would cherish long after his father’s passing. Before baseball entered the picture, little George had already visited more of the country than most people will see in a lifetime. George II ran both local work and long-haul transporting household goods back when most roads were still gravel. As George grew older, time spent in the truck depended on his baseball schedule, but he seized every opportunity he could.

Born on the 4th of July, George explains how many of his birthdays were spent celebrated in different cities throughout the country. He says, “I remember turning 12 in Waco, Texas… that one stands out. He always made my birthday special, somewhere new and fun each year.” George’s father had a huge impact on his life, as a young boy and his adulthood. He turned 18 the summer of 1988, he was finally of age to join the Air Force – again, following in his father’s footsteps.

FULL CIRCLE

George reported to Lackland Air Force Base, centered in San Antonio, Texas for his six weeks of basic training. His older brother served in the Air Force Security Service career field, to which George did the same. After another month of training at Kelly Air Force Base (now closed), he spent two weeks with the Army at a military facility in New Jersey receiving extensive training in combat tactics and law enforcement, then back to Kelly AFB to complete his schooling. His first stateside post was in his home state of California, at Norton Air Force Base. George was deployed overseas twice: England (90-91) and Germany (91-92), serving 4 years altogether.

Before committing to his time in the service, George obtained his Class A license at 18, driving for his father two months prior to basic training. When on leave, George continued working with his dad running local household moves throughout the west coast. Upon transitioning back into the civilian workforce full-time in 1992, he revisited baseball. He tried out for a couple of Single-A minor league teams, admitting to never fully applying himself.

“While playing ball, I was still driving part-time for my dad. I just liked trucking more, it’s all I wanted to do. Even during my time in the service, I never let my license go. I kept it current so I could drive when I went home. It’s something that I have always enjoyed since I was little. It has become who I am.”

In 1994, George’s pitching career had met its fate. On the 8th floor of an old building waiting on the freight elevator to arrive, George opened the manual door and proceeded to step in, only to fall down the elevator shaft. Luckily, the elevator was stuck only one floor below, but the damage could not be undone. During the short recovery period, his father had moved back to Detroit and began working with an agent for North American Van Lines. George soon followed, driving for him full-time. Once healed from his wrist injury, he landed a job with a local moving company, where he remained for four years.

Two years later, George purchased his first truck, becoming an owner operator, leasing directly on to the same company as his father. His 1994 Freightliner was more than a truck; it represented the lifestyle he had embodied for so many years. His hard work and dedication put forth to discovering his own path in the trucking industry had come full circle. Each detail he admired of his father: self-discipline and a strong work ethic, the wisdom he shared, and respectability he earned – George was everything his father had hoped to exemplify.

George ran all 48 states for the North American Van Lines’ High Value Products Division, until 2002. Burned out and eager for a change, he traded in his road tractor for a 26 ft. straight truck. Leased on to a company out of Romulus, Michigan, George transported air freight throughout the state’s south east region, returning home every night. After two years, the need to travel resurfaced and he was at it again.

Picture Perfect

In 2004, George purchased a white International, and was welcomed back at North American Van Lines. That October, the HVP Division of NAVL broke off and started their own company, creating Specialized Transportation Inc. (STI). George transferred from North American to STI, where he remains today. There are two awards in particular that he states are his most memorable and humbling honors to-date.

“I won the Safety Service Quality Award while on the medical fleet, in 2017. That was a huge deal for me! Then, last year I was presented with my Million Mile Safe Driving Award. Both of these accomplishments mark two distinct milestones in my career that I’m extremely proud of.

I don’t say this lightly, but if you’re a driver in search of a company that treats you like family, STI is it. I know that a lot of companies say that, but here at STI, they know how to take care of their drivers. Believe me, I would know.”

Due to George’s busy work schedule, he never penciled in the time to attend much of any events pertaining to the trucking industry. That is, until the Mid-American Trucking Show this past March, hosted at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Despite the show’s record-setting reign for the longest running trucking event in America, this year was George’s first appearance. He was asked to participate at MATS on behalf of the company, representing STI. Gladly accepting the request, unaware of the surprise in store.

Before the show Chris Gonzalez, Director of Capacity Development, informed George that the company needed to “borrow” his truck for two weeks and would return it at MATS. Leaving the gesture vague, Chris explained that they wanted to do something special in recognition of George’s reliability and quality of service, along with his patriotism as a U.S. veteran. Standing blindfolded for the unveiling of his truck, he states that what he opened his eyes to was nothing he had prepared for.

“I couldn’t see anything! I was led to our booth and had no idea what to expect. To say I was blown away doesn’t even cover it. I was brought to tears and completely humbled by the whole experience. The first thing I noticed was the Security Police (SP) badge. Then, Chris pointed out that under or sort of blended in behind it was the Berlin Wall – to honor my time in Germany – which I thought was incredible. There are so many details involved and the amount of thought that went into the design is just incredible. It’s very personal and one of a kind. I still can’t believe they did this… for me.”

The truck’s design reflects George’s family history dating back to their first-generation truck driver. By incorporating elements of the WWII era, his grandfather is present. When George II served in the Air Force during the mid-50’s, that time period is included also. The tribute truck continues with the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Stealth Bomber, illustrating his generation in the military. In keeping with the theme of his truck, George has titled his 2014 Freightliner Cascadia, Billy – in honor of Army General William “Billy” Mitchell; regarded as the Father of the United States Air Force. General Mitchell, is known as an advocate for the expansion of aviation, enabling a flight-based military air force for future protection of our country.

Billy was originally painted white, prior to the transformation, as was two other trucks George owned before this one. His first truck, the 1994 Freightliner was blue, and his very first brand new tractor trailer was a 2008 International Prostar, fire engine red. For the U.S. flag, white signifies purity, red for valor, and blue stands for perseverance. This truck was created for its owner, with the intention to celebrate integrity, and acknowledge the magnitude of influence a life of courage and sacrifice could have on the future.

George met his wife, Michelle in 2005. This month they will be celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary. He’s typically out on the road two weeks at a time, then home to Auburn, Indiana. He enjoys catching up with their daughters, Julianne (23) and Allyson (19), and hanging out with friends. When George is cruising away, he unwinds at the wheel listening to the Elvis Channel. A fan since childhood – another obsession passed down from his father. A passion for trucking, love for his family, and Elvis… what more do you need?