FIXTITLE Kenny and Tish Stumpff.docx

DREAM CHASERS

The Story

Of

Kenny & Tish Stumpff

It’s one thing to be good at what you do for a living. It’s another to love what you’re doing in the process. If you have found your way to both, then you’re one of a few. This husband and wife duo come from different backgrounds, but share in the joy of knowing that anything they do will be done with pride. Not for personal gain. Instead, for the satisfaction of a job well done. Every career choice in direction was decided upon by their entire purpose of life. Neither are afraid of a challenge and allow their hearts to guide them, making all accomplishments achieved together that much more rewarding.

Residing in Louisiana when it’s time to park their truck for a few days, Kenny and Tish Stumpff enjoy their time visiting with friends and family at home. Kenny is a second generation trucker, with diesel fuel in his blood through and through. Tish has lived in Louisiana all of her life and worked in social services for the state for many years before the two crossed paths. Learning of Kenny’s position as a professional truck driver, she quickly began to imagine the possibilities of traveling the country. She envied his freedom of the road. With 48 years’ experience, trucking for Kenny was in a way, as grand as Tish envisioned. However, gaining a traveling companion added a fun factor that he was unaware was missing.

Born in Ohio, Kenny’s father worked two jobs. He drove a taxi and also for a bus company. With a house full of six children, Kenny being the youngest, his mother remained home to care for the children. At the age of five, they relocated to Indiana and his father switched to running over the road. His father stayed out six weeks at a time to provide for his family, Kenny states that they grew up poor. That humility brought forth a type of mindset that could not be shaken. “I remember telling myself, I will never let that happen to me,” Kenny explains. By the age of 12, he was working for a local farmer hauling hay and managing the farm.

It was after his first road trip with his dad all the way from Indiana, down to Florida when the idea of following in his footsteps began to surface. They rode in a 1958 B-Model Mack. Kenny can describe that truck as if it were yesterday. Riding shotgun, next to his father was a special time for him. Watching his father pull in the driveway and then leave out again in his big truck became his highlight as a young boy. Finally getting to ride with him on a job planted a seed deep within that would come to light, years later. Even as a child, in Kenny’s heart he knew his father’s legacy for trucking was inevitable. In addition to his own dreams of success and creative ideas, Kenny’s current pursuit of completing his bucket list is ending on a high note. One I’m sure his entire family is proud of. Bringing Tish into the picture with her positivity and support, the sky was the limit.

Unlike her husband, Tish was born and raised in a big city down south. Growing up in Baton Rouge, her father worked for the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Initially, taking any position available, he worked his way up to district manager of sales before retiring. Tish was also the youngest of her siblings, with two older brothers and a hands-on mother at home. She too dreamt of more than her surroundings. Tish was eager to see places and do things. Finding a man with the same common goals had to be fate pairing such a couple together.

This time next year, Kenny and Tish wish to be on to their next venture. It has been in the works for a couple of years now, but just like everything else they do; they set a goal and put the plan in motion. Lastly, they dedicate all of their energy and focus into it. In turn, success always follows. We will get back to their latest project in just a moment…

As a teenager, Kenny naturally gravitated to trucking by 16. After years spent watching his father drive, he was mentally preparing himself for the day he was given the reigns. Every blue moon, while out on a stretch of highway Kenny was given some steering time. Just enough to get a feel of the wheel and total control of the truck at his fingertips. He was hooked! They were hauling grain at the time in a Cabover Mack with two shifters on a 15-speed Triplex. Kenny continues, “My dad is by far my biggest influence in trucking. Of course the industry is much different than it was back then, but not only did he teach me how to drive a truck safely and effectively, he taught me respect and courtesy. And the importance of treating one another with those same values in order to receive respect.” Tish chimes in stating her perspective from the passenger’s seat. Kenny understands her passion to ride, as he once sat in that very position with his dad. “I urge everyone out here to pay attention to your surroundings. Watch out for your fellow driver,” she says.

As soon as Kenny turned 16 and licensed, he landed a job hauling grain within the two state area of Indiana and Ohio. Four years later, he purchased his first truck in 1969. It was a 1958 B-Model Mack, just as his role model before him. Twelve years in, he decided to go another route. He became a police officer for the Indianapolis Police Department, serving until he was 35. “If trucking were not an option and if I could, I would go back to that in a heartbeat!”

Tish had been with the state of Louisiana for over 12 years, before joining Kenny on the road. At first, she worked with the elderly. Then moved over to child care and social services. Even though her life spent cruising from state to state now in a truck with her best friend is everything she had dreamed of, being a part of the system and working in favor of the many children involved with social services is where Tish would retreat back to if she needed a second option.

June of 2006, Tish and Kenny found each other online through a brush of luck. Not in favor of living in Indiana, Kenny came down to Louisiana bringing with him 5 ½ inches of snow. Tish laughs as she explains, “That year we had a really bad winter. I was sure that Kenny had brought that mess down with him. By the second week I wanted to ship him back up north.” Following a number of events, Tish decided it was time to make her move. “I always thought Kenny’s job was so cool! You get to see the country and meet new people. I had never got to travel much or even leave the state of Louisiana. So without a doubt, I knew that I wanted to go with him full-time. It was a matter of the right timing,” she said. When her window of opportunity became available she didn’t hesitate. The two exchanged vows in March of 2010 and she has been in the truck with Kenny ever since. Over the course of almost eight years, they have visited all of the lower 48 states, except one. And that is soon to be determined.

Tish feels that Kenny’s success as a professional truck driver is partly due to the amount of knowledge gained over the years. She then adds, “Kenny is such a great person. He’s very old school and goes out of his way to help other drivers. His expertise in the business and good communication skills prove why he is so good at what he does.” As Kenny’s full-time assistant, handling all of his paperwork, he states that Tish is the one that keeps them both in line and organized. Working as a team has proven that any partnership with combined efforts will result in a favorable outcome.

A few of their favorite places to see are the beautiful mountains spread throughout Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Tish says, “We learn so much about our nation’s history out here on the road. Most rest stops offer information on the area and provide neat trails to walk with historical markers everywhere. I love getting to know more and exploring.” The scenic routes and richness in colors present an eye full every time they pass through each state. The mountains outlining the ocean of California and the Las Vegas city lights at night always remind the couple how amazing their job is. Though they admit that trucking can be stressful at times. Plus, the hours spent cleaning the truck are consuming, but the pros far exceed the cons. “It’s the whole atmosphere of trucking that has kept my heart in it for almost 50 years. I’ve been doing it so long! Visiting all of these places never gets old to me. I just love what I do!” Kenny said. His record sits at an all-time high of over 5 million miles to-date, all accident-free.

Kenny and Tish are currently in a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia, hauling office furniture for Menke Trucking, LLC. out of Indiana. Running over the road two to three months at a time, then returning home for a week to unwind. Since joining the driving force at Menke Trucking, LLC. the duo is back to chasing their dreams. Kenny and Tish both explain, “We make good money with Menke Trucking. The owner is genuine and one of the best people you can possibly meet. The people here treat us well and keep me busy. The thing we like the most is they won’t ask you to do more than what they would do.” Then Tish touches base on never having the opportunity to travel to Vermont yet. “I told them that is the one state I have yet to visit. So they’re in the works of making that happen for us,” she says. Trucking has opened the doors for many husbands and wives, running team. Tish appreciates their current company and the entire staff. The flexibility, the respect and trust to do their jobs allow them to work at their own speed, making each run more pleasure than business. Kenny enjoys strengthening work relationships with customers. “When my clients know me by name, I know that we have both established a foundation to grow on,” he said.

Another door opened when the two located a customized golf cart designed as a replica of a 1999 Peterbilt. The mini truck is all cherry wood, hand painted black with stained wood, given a Peterbilt grill and Peterbilt emblem to match. The design was put together with a 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster head lights, 1960 Chevrolet tail lights, and 1979 Harley Davidson car signals. Kenny grew up around older cars and is drawn to everything about them. Tish took an interest after they purchased the mini Peterbilt in 2009. In doing so, it eventually led to the launch of their next investment, Mini-Me Klassics.

Mini-Me Klassics is all about designing your very own dream car. With your personal touch and choice of vehicle, no Mini-Me Klassic will be alike. Kenny and Tish have made it available to order cars or trucks from the 50’s, 60’s, and the 70’s; all created specifically to your style. Each Mini-Me Klassic is affordable, street legal, and one of a kind. When the time comes to hang up their trucking keys, Kenny and Tish plan to switch hats and further invest in their car business. Their first design will duplicate the black Dodge Charger featured in the hit movie, The Fast & The Furious, driven by actor Vin Diesel. Next, is The General car from the popular TV show, Dukes of Hazard. The third scheduled project is a 1958 custom ordered Corvette. By expanding their reach to clients from all of the globe, Mini-Me Klassics will not only make their dream come true as business owners, but for every individual that wants to own a model car similar to their parents or grandparents before them. Like truck shows they attend with their Peterbilt design, they also make time to promote Mini-Me Klassics at car shows and events. Visit minimeklassics.com for more information.

I think it’s safe to say, this couple is living the dream and enjoying life. There is no set time to begin an adventure and it’s never too late to start over again. The key is to go for what you want and not look back. Chasing dreams allow you to be young, creative, and proficient. As long as your heart is leading the way, you will always be happy.