HELPING HANDS - Richard Conaway
HELPING HANDS
Legend Nominee: Richard Conaway
All events have a swarm of busy bees behind the scene that are hands-on participants in efforts of production. Whether you’re attending a small show for children, say a concert or a family-friendly party or a much larger event, such as an internationally known trucking expo hosting wall-to-wall crowds, each type of function requires helpers to assist, though most of which go without being seen or even accredited for their part.
The realization of working behind the scenes actually necessitates a combination of special qualities; working in harmony as a supporting role may come as a challenge for some. Actively communicating as a team player while multitasking duties assigned, versus instructing others and attacking a plan solo can be hard to comprehend if a person is not accustomed to working in an environment of such. Willing to be of service is an honest trait from one’s heart, it’s the uniqueness of how a person believes him or herself to be needed and is happy to lend a helping hand to any situation in an unselfish manner. This Legend driver is exactly that: the unconventional, rarest of people, kindness to the core. An individual giving of his time for the simple joy of the act itself. Within the trucking community, his name is favored as a go-to for knowledge of the industry and a willing body to man an event or donate to a cause in-need.
Ohio native, Richard Conaway has spent 16 years as a professional truck driver all the while, building a positive reputation within a business where the hero is instantly judged by the cover, though below the surface of this book is an extremely hardworking trucker with a servant’s heart. Always sporting his signature cowboy hat, typically accompanied with a cup of coffee in hand, Richard prides himself in representing an image as a professional with a clean truck and superior work ethic in conjunction with the notoriety of good will. Comfortable standing in the background, he spends much of his spare time volunteering to do the grunt work at truck shows and various charity events.
Richard is currently an owner operator leased on to Powersource Transportation, a specialized power-only trucking company based out of Griffith, Indiana. Powersource Transportation was established in 1994, by a successful truck driver whose ambition grew the company’s reach nationwide. Now owned and operated by his wife, she carries forward her late husband’s model of treating their drivers with respect in a family-oriented atmosphere. The ambiance is evident, as Richard states is the main reason for his loyalty and 7 years of dedication to their company.
“As a truck driver, this is our life day in and day out. So, it’s important that you find a place that you’re happy with, a trucking company that makes you happy. Otherwise, your life can get miserable really quick out here. I’ve found my second home at Powersource! We have a good bunch of people at the office, they all know who I am, and they treat me great. Over the years here, they’ve taken the time to get to know me and understand what going to truck shows and getting involved with my community means to me. They’ll make sure that I’m able to attend pretty much all the shows I want. They find loads that allow me to go to my events and do my charity work. That’s big to me! It means a lot for a company to work with me like that, they don’t make it all about them. What’s important to me is important to them.”
Since joining the fleet of owner operators at Powersource Transportation, Richard has accumulated his share of safe driver awards and has previously been named Driver of the Month. With over 2-million miles under his belt, he has experience pulling dry van, tanker, flatbed and specialty trailers. Of his 16 years driving over the road, 6 were spent running as a company driver.
Once completing the Class A CDL Training Program in 2002 and graduating from Hamrick School located in Medina, Ohio, Richard was finally able to secure a position driving a semi-truck full-time. He initially obtained his chauffeur’s license in 1986 at the age of 18. At the time he was employed at a local department store. The following years, between balancing factory work he took on multiple side jobs driving commercial vehicles, continuing practice and training behind the wheel.
He moved furniture part-time driving a cargo van, transported food to the elderly around town, and also delivered wedding cakes for his mother’s bakery. That job alone added just enough pressure for Richard to understand the importance of patience when driving. Adding, “I remember years later when I hauled beer, the guys would seem surprised when I’d arrive with no bottles knocked over or broken after a long ride, like it was a big deal or something. But when you’ve had to deliver wedding cakes for your mom, you learn how to drive with deliberate control at all times because carrying something as valuable as a couple’s wedding cake, there’s no room for even the slightest mishap.”
His parents still reside in the same 1907 Victorian house that Richard grew up in. He and his family are in the process of remodeling the residence. The Conaway’s have always lived in the city, while his father worked as an engineer for many years, later retiring as a foreman. Richard recalls the earliest years of his childhood, playing outside with his younger brother or friends, riding bikes and exploring as kids normally do. There was a major highway within sight from his house that he remembers watching countless 18-wheelers come and go. In hindsight, that small window to view those large trucks seemed to be a distinguished memory ingrained deep within and never fully unearthed until many years later.
At age 7, as a hobby he enjoyed building and painting toy cars, semi-trucks and trains. Little did he know that very same interest would evolve from small model toys to larger, much bigger size toys. With an early interest in cars and trucks, his last two years of high school, Richard attended technical training classes at Belmont-Harrison Career Center studying to pursue a future career as a machinist. He excelled at the trade, continuing his education into college for a degree in Automated Manufacturing Technology, specializing in computer-enhanced machine systems.
Though he didn’t make his way into the field of trucking until the early 2000’s, his fascination with trucks started when he was a young boy, watching them drive away on the long stretch of road in the distance until out of sight. His grandfather on his mother’s side passed away when Richard was young, but not without planting a seed with his grandson. His words, ‘if it’s got wheels, I can drive it’ still ring in Richard’s ears to this day. Skipping a generation with his father, Richard proudly picks up the torch and lives up to the trucker lifestyle just as his grandfather had many years before him.
Being from a close-knit family with good morals, Richard knew whichever career he were to discover as his niche, the only way to achieve his full potential was to find something he was passionate about and commit to it. Perceived as an influential truck driver, Richard states that was never a part of his long-term goal. Having the opportunity to drive a truck for a living and travel the country was the purpose, loving what he does each day and noticing how the difference his volunteer work affect others has in turn pushed himself to be a better person.
Fresh out of truck driving school, Richard was eager to learn more about the business and considered running team as the better option to gain experience from another driver. The first trucking company he landed a driving position at paired him with a team driver and away they went, covering one corner of the states to the next. Unfortunately, 9 months of partnership in one truck was long enough to learn that running team was not in the cards for him. Although he did acquire a good bit of information that ultimately helped shape his driving skills. He says, “During that time I learned that I’m actually more patient than I give myself credit for. I like to think I’m a courteous person and I like to help people, but when I left that company I knew that I didn’t want to run team anymore. I’ll try just about anything once and that was my one run at it. The good part was that I had learned to back a truck and trailer up like a pro. And lucky for me, there was always a more seasoned driver around that was willing to help me out when I needed it or offer little tips and cool tricks.” Wise words passed on to him that he still applies were to stay in the right lane if possible, that way you have the shoulder as an out. Also, pay attention to your distance when in traffic and protect your blind spot.
Richard describes his beginner years as the most educational, due to the many learning curves. For new drivers, he encourages them to ask questions and not be ashamed if they need help. Intelligence is a valuable tool, how else to obtain knowledge than to inquire the information needed? His biggest piece of advice he reveals is, remain calm. “Just take your time. Getting upset doesn’t help any situation get better. If it’s people or your surroundings that is frustrating you, try to relax and get through whatever it is. Most of the time you’ll walk away having learned something from it all. Either about yourself, or even better, something you can put into use in the long run.”
He remained with his second trucking company for 10 years pulling dry van as a solo driver. He was soon put on a dedicated account running 90% hazmat over the road. The challenges of switching lanes from company driver to owner operator vary according to the individual. Richard states that since becoming an owner operator in 2008, he is much happier and less stressed. Saying, “There are a number of limitations that company drivers face that I don’t particularly care for. Some say that being an owner operator is stressful, but personally I have more freedom and a voice.” As for life on the road, all professional truck drivers must be comfortable with being away from home for extended periods at a time. Communication, Richard explains is the key to maintaining good relationships with dispatch, shippers and receivers. His secret though is sensible thinking, not much bothers him. As a driver in the demanding and fast-paced trucking industry, that’s impressive.
His future goal is to purchase a truck with a custom sleeper completely decked out to include a shower. Until then, he will carry on exploring the country just as he did when he was a young boy, taking in his hometown on a bicycle. Only the lay of the land and form of transportation have both grown. The ever-changing scenery of passing cities and meeting new people remind him daily why he loves his job. Stating, “One Spring, while out in a country part of Wyoming I could see a herd of antelope running in the field. You don’t get that kind of stuff working a regular job.” Another specific area he favors is a dessert when in bloom, witnessing the fresh colors come to life during flowering season is indescribable. Priceless moments such as these peak his eye for photography, which he began back in 1991 as a side venture, shooting for weddings. He still practices the art during truck shows and special occasions.
Networking with friends and people among the trucking community is always Richard’s highlight of any social event. Close friend, Dusty Chrome had this to say of Richard. “Far too often drivers go without recognition, Richard is one of those individuals. When I first met Richard I was impressed by his attitude and willingness to help others. He donates his time to many of the charities during truck shows. When he is not manning the booths, he can be found in the parking lot riding around on a golf cart shuttling drivers around to the stores nearby. He is quick to help anybody that needs help without expecting anything in return. Richard is truly a professional driver in all respects and the caliber of driver the trucking industry really needs nowadays, and I am proud to call him my friend. One of my fondest memories that I have of Richard was in the evening at one of the truck shows, he was involved in a golf cart drag race... I won't tell who won.” His presence offers more than a smile and extended hand. It’s refreshing, and inspires motivation for others to get involved.