FIXTITLE Tim Ridley (final).docx
MAN OF MANY TALENTS
Tim Ridley
(The Tim Ridley Show)
Being the oldest of six children, raised by a single mother working double shifts as a nurse, many responsibilities were passed on to Tim Ridley by the time he was eight years old. Despite the family’s financial bind, Tim’s mother never hesitated to bring in more mouths to feed. With seven to the household and only one means of income, each meal was considered a blessing. Tim explains, “Regardless of how poor we were, our mother was always bringing less fortunate children to our dinner table. I didn’t understand at the time because we were already struggling. As I grew older I saw the bigger picture and began to understand. I really respected her. Her choices. Her actions. No matter our situation, she found a way to reach out to kids and adults too; sharing with neighbors anything she could offer in order to help.”
Unknowingly, a seed had been planted. As a young adult at 21, Tim had become exactly like his kindhearted mother. The two shared a passion for people in need or that have lost their way. Their way of thinking and genuine sincerity is extremely rare and for the most part, unseen among today’s face-paced world.
The church Tim attended with his family was located in an area known for its high crime rate. He took notice to the youth around him in his community. Fully aware of the random muggings and shootings, instead of abandoning his hometown he wanted to help the kids that were at the center of it all. Often he walked through the low income areas surrounded by violence. Many kids were in gangs. Some were innocent, just born into poverty. He visited these neighborhoods searching for any children that wanted help surviving. When the environment of which you live consumes you, a way out may seem impossible. Sometimes all a person needs is an outstretched hand to lead the way. Tim says, “I knew in my heart that a lot of these kids may die if someone didn’t show them a different way of life. I wanted to let them know that there was an alternative. I came from that environment and I made it! Thanks to God and a wonderful mom, I found a way. I needed them to know that if I could do it, they can too… and more importantly, I reminded them that they were not alone.” Acknowledging his mother’s strength and embracing it as his own to empower another from the same background still remains a personal goal close to his heart. To this day, Tim’s mom continues taking in low income children and providing a roof, a warm meal and unconditional love, hoping to make a difference.
Before his parents separated, Tim’s father had a huge impact on him as well. His dad was a trucker, in which Tim jokes stating the blame for his initial addiction to the industry is on him. When Tim took on the role of the man of the house he helped his younger siblings get ready for school, made sure their homework was done, and prepared their meals. Since then, well before his teen years leadership has come natural to him.
As a college student the more knowledge accessible, the better. Tim was seeking to gain guidance in leadership and academics. In 1981, he enrolled in ROTC in college and later served in the Guard. 1985 is when he began his trucking career. January 1989, Tim joined the driving force of Marten Transport as a company driver, where he remained until 1991 when he came off the road.
Tim immediately landed a teaching position at a truck driving school located in McDonough, Georgia. That first year he was named the Instructor of the Year. Recognized for his positive work ethic, he was soon promoted to Director of Training, which then led to Director of Job Placement by 1993.
He felt it was time to branch out and start his own trucking company, T.W. Ridley Enterprises, Inc. As a small fleet owner, by 1996 he was working for himself full-time and had grown his business to five trucks. Also, while operating his trucking establishment he went to school to be a licensed insurance agent for his sister’s Allstate Agency. He ran his company adjacent to the office space of the insurance agency that he wrote business for.
By that summer with two Volvos and three Kenworth’s, some leased with a local agent out of Georgia pulling dry vans throughout the southeast region, Tim had the urge to return to trucking himself. He ordered a brand, new 1997 Freightliner Classic XL and took delivery of it that October. He then leased back on to Marten Transport and hit the road January 2nd, 1997. He slowly began downsizing. He reached out to a close friend who was wanting to become a small fleet owner. “I had been so blessed through my years of trucking that I had the opportunity to give back. I wanted to be a blessing to him, so I gave him two of my trucks,” Tim said. Eventually, he was down to his Freightliner.
Over time with a million miles under his belt, he managed to earn another million miles with Marten during this second return. During his time as an owner operator, he has been named Driver of the Month, Driver of the Year, and Contractor of the Year various times. He has also landed a few well-earned features in a number of trucking publications.
Tim had been offered an office position at the corporate office and in operations, but his desire to travel the country outweighed a 9 to 5 job stuck in a building. His show truck came accommodated with a nice studio and all the necessities needed. His plans did not include sitting behind a desk just yet. However, after Tim and his wife, Maricel tied the knot in 2002 things began to shift. In the beginning, for the first seven months, Maricel rode with Tim. Then he received a phone call about a recruiting position being open at the Marten Atlanta terminal. With his experience in trucking as a company driver and owner operator, the company knew he would be a great asset in speaking with other drivers. Convincing him to hang up his trucking keys and come to the other side took two months of encouragement.
On July 14th, 2003 Tim parked his truck and officially came off the road. He was ready to start a new chapter in his life, which included having a family. He accepted the offer as a recruiter. In less than three months he was promoted to recruiting supervisor. This position required him to fill the role of many titles. He agreed upon the responsibilities with ease. Never intimidated by a challenge, Tim strives to excel by focusing on the end result as a success.
By 2007, the Atlanta branch was in need of a positive change. Marten Transport promoted Tim to spearhead the transition as the new terminal manager. Being very goal oriented, he hired a full staff with similar standards and together they made that office the terminal of choice for drivers.
Tim also traveled each month as a consultant and representative of Marten Transport on the Dave Nemo Show in Nashville, Tennessee. At the time, Dave’s show aired on XM Radio from 6:00 to 11:00 am (but now airs on Sirius XM from 6:00-10:00 am). Tim would co-host the last three hours with Dave. The two gentlemen had met briefly back in 1998 in Reno, Nevada at a trucking event. It wasn’t until years later in 2004, while attending the First Annual Tennessee Truck Show that Tim met with Dave again and his business partner, Michael Burns. A mutual friend had mentioned to Dave about Tim’s extensive history in the trucking industry, thinking he would make an excellent addition to his show. Dave later reached out to Tim, explaining his interests. He wanted someone willing to talk to the drivers. He needed that person to be able to relate and feel comfortable engaging in conversations of different trucking topics. To discuss rules and regulations, driver treatment and what drivers are looking for in a company. He would need to be fluent in all issues important to their listeners. Tim knew this was a huge opportunity. Not just for his career, but to be a voice to a much larger audience in the field of trucking that entered his life as a young child. Being in contact with people, making himself available to help, talk, or listen has been Tim’s entire moral obligation throughout life. That June, 2004 Tim began traveling back and forth, from Atlanta to Nashville as a new member of Dave’s radio family.
In March of 2008, Dave offered Tim a position with his broadcast company, Dave Nemo Entertainment. Tim assumed the position of general manager and he also filled in for Dave occasionally in the mornings, or the afternoons for the late Truckin’ Bozo. On July 4th, 2010, Tim debuted his radio show, The Tim Ridley Show.
Since joining the Sirius XM radio team, Tim continues to embrace the trucking community as family. Every step in his adult life has been in the direction involving advancement of learning in order to better himself as an individual and becoming the best father, husband, colleague and advisor possible. Truly dedicated to the trucking industry, Tim explains how the trucking world is his life. He says, “When I get to speak with my listeners, I think of it like I’m talking to a relative; my family. They are basically my heroes! And very under appreciated. I get that not all listeners are drivers. It doesn’t matter to me. When I talk to a person, I try my best to make them feel as if they are the most important person to me. Because at that moment, they are. When they take the time to speak with me they have my full attention, focus, and respect.” His program has grown a large fan base, for many reasons. Tim’s admiration for drivers and his insight to trucking all play a factor.
Tim prides himself as a caring and honest man of faith. Like his mother, he still finds a way to volunteer time as a Samaritan. He has been an active mentor with the National Guard Youth Challenge Academy. A program geared towards at-risk youth that allows Tim to demonstrate family values, life skills, and discuss the importance of a good education. He also went on to pursue his masters in Divinity and earned a Doctorate of Philosophy degree (PH.D.) in Christian Education. Since 2008, he has been on the Board of Directors for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund. SCF is a non-profit charity for truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship.
The bucket list of accomplishments have well exceeded enough for Tim to slow down, but I doubt that will ever be the case. It’s not in his nature. If he can give 100%, he will. On the side, he and his son have done some acting, as well. Together they did a cameo for the Ryman auditorium called, “The Soul of Nashville” along with several TV commercials. Tim is not one to shy away from a busy schedule. Recently he added realtor to his résumé after obtaining his real estate license in 2014.
Believe it or not, he does make time to spend with his family. Above all else, he is a family man. Together he and Maricel enjoy taking TJ camping in their motorhome. On the weekends they will tee off on a relaxing trip to unwind. Working in the yard is another favorite hobby, when they’re not cruising on his Honda Goldwing. He does admit that if his calling pulls him away from the radio, trucking is what he would be doing. “I’d be in a truck with a custom sleeper pulling a 48ft spread axle reefer trailer, maybe traveling out west. I’ve been all over this beautiful country a million times, but I especially love the west coast,” he said. Should that day never come, he will continue to live vivaciously through his trucker friends and carry on keeping us informed and up to date on the latest info. Be sure to tune in!