LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE - Clint Lindsey

LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE

Legend Nominee: Clint Lindsey

Good relationships between a child and parent, or role model can have a lasting effect on one’s sense of mental health, social growth, work ethic, and emotional stability throughout the rest of their lives. Having a dedicated mentor actively involved can directly impact a child’s development in a healthy manner.

This Legend driver understands the significance of a strong positive support system; third-generation truck driver, Clint Lindsey was always encouraged to follow his ambition for success with determination, a presence of mind, and heart of patience. As a husband, father, truck driver, and man of God, Clint leans on the men in his life that have led the way as influential leaders demonstrating the balance of working hard and putting family first, while practicing every day to live a Christian life.

A professional truck driver with over 4-million accident-free miles throughout his 30-year driving career, Clint has achieved success as a business owner, traveled the country on exclusive music tours with some of the most elite entertainers in the world, and spent several years in the mobile television industry with a company specializing in sports affiliated TV networks. His aspiration to live a life of joy and greatness has come full circle, driving only during the week, and spending the weekends (and every opportunity in-between) with his wife, Kimberlee and their 18-year old twin girls, Brandy and Kaylee.

His life philosophy is to treat people how you want to be treated; love one another with a forgiving heart; keep a positive attitude – all of which he states has helped him through many stages of his own life. Adding, that growing up his father, Charles Lindsey was consistent with great advice, from childhood until he became a father himself. Clint says,

“My dad has always known what to say… Thinking back on some of his advice, and then when my children came into my life, his words really changed my perspective. And also just like him, the trucking industry provided a lifestyle where I could provide for my loved ones. My children are not mine biologically, but I love them the same. They are my life, and the biggest blessings God has ever given me! So, it’s important for me to show them that every day can be great, some days you may need to try a little harder, but that’s a part of life – not letting your emotions get the better of you on a bad day. I don’t have a college education and I have made my share of bad decisions, but my dad was there for me and loved me unconditionally. As for trucking, we live in a great country with so much opportunity that anyone can do great things… and my career driving a truck is proof of that. You can’t be afraid to take chances.”

A Texas native, Clint was born in Dallas with one younger sibling. His mother was an office manager at an insurance company, while his dad drove trucks, following in his father’s footsteps before him. Raised in the trucking business, Clint became familiar with the ins and outs of trucking from maintenance work, life on the road, and the known comraderie among drivers. A natural behind the wheel, if he had not pursued a future as a professional driver, his second choice still involved a passion for engines and other vehicles, such as high-performance race cars. Embodying his 70’s and 80’s era, Clint was drawn into the hot rod culture; he could have easily been spotted cruising down the strip in Arlington or under the hood of one.

His bubbly charm and outgoing personality makes Clint a popular favorite, yet he takes his work ethic extremely serious. I asked him, in his opinion, “What does it take to succeed as a professional truck driver?” Many people are not accustomed to the long hours and demanding work schedule, they assume their ability to obtain a commercial driver’s license qualifies them to operate a semi-truck. Add on the realization that most drivers go days, weeks, often months without seeing their loved ones – another aspect drivers are unprepared for. Clint’s reply summarized a truck driver’s mindset in a nutshell, speaking from his own experience and a lifetime spent over-the-road.

To succeed in the profession as a truck driver, especially if running long-haul, there needs to be a clear understanding that there is going to be change, possibly every day. A driver must be self-sufficient, a problem-solver, quick to adjust and accommodate. Being versatile and open-minded is beneficial. And lastly, channeling a means of avoiding stress can serve as a major breakthrough for a driver. Driving a truck for a living, a day’s work can be interrupted by traffic, weather, people, the list is endless – discovering a way to focus on not getting upset about issues that are uncontrollable will prove invaluable to a driver’s endurance, as well as, their safety. Throughout his own journey, Clint explains that learning how to manage stress has been his biggest obstacle. Forcing himself to be patient when chaos unfolds around him, he admits it has taken years of effort, but with age comes maturity.

At the age of 18, Clint landed a job loading trucks at night at the same company his father drove for. He worked his way up to warehouse manager when a driving position was announced at the trucking company across the street. With an increase in pay, he took the position as a spotter, maneuvering trailers between three buildings; staging anywhere up to 300 trailers a day.

Couple of years later, he moved on to a company running regional work pulling dry van for four years. In 1995, he partnered with his father as an owner operator launching, Charles Lindsey & Son; a trucking business dedicated to hauling LTL foods to warehouses from California to Florida. Clint ran the Florida route, consisting of twenty locations, while his father and other drivers covered the Mid-West.

In 2000, Clint had the opportunity to tour the country, hauling equipment for George Straight as an independent contractor in the entertainment industry. The company he joined subbed him out to another company, landing him on the Jimmy Buffett music tour. Each artist’s schedule varied from two months up to a year-long. Working as a driver in the entertainment business, the length of one’s career hinges on their reputation: time-management, dependability, and professionalism – core principles that Clint’s father had instilled at an early age.

Clint’s expertise furthered his advancement to a much larger corporation based out of California running live tours for Kid Rock, Bon Jovi, The Eagles, Cher, Billy Joel, and Elton John. For three years straight he remained on the road, jumping from one headliner to the next, eventually growing weary from lack of home-time. Also working as lead driver for six years came the responsibility of training all staff on each team the specific order of how trucks needed to be positioned. His toughest challenge was directing drivers on how to back a trailer into really small venues through a handheld radio, all the while preventing any accidents in the process. His previous experience as a spotter played a vital role; patience and trust was key, both skills he had developed with proficiency.

Clint left the music entertainment field and was brought on as a driver for a mobile television company transporting their production studio. Covering any major TV sports network, Clint ran nationwide and Canada. Sometimes he traveled with two or three trucks, other events required twenty to thirty (e.g., an NFL Superbowl game). Despite his love for the job, the need for quality time with family outweighed the alternative, particularly in his niche of transportation. Stating,

“The entertainment field is a single person’s game, because of the lengthy tours. It’s fun, but still gets lonely out on the road. You’re left with just you in the truck and lots of time to reflect. When people are working away from home, we tend to take our families for granted – we think they will be home when we get there. But what we don’t realize is that their lives go on while we are gone. For me, it was important when our girls turned sixteen that I be there with my wife and stay involved. Meaning, go to their sporting events, and just spend time with all of them while I still could. I think it’s crucial for a driver’s mental health, to remain happy… and sometimes that requires stepping away from the truck and just go home. That is what happened to me, I was getting burned out and it showed through my attitude, when all I needed was to recharge… and I found that happiness again by being around the people that brought out the best in myself.”

Clint switched to running regional work two years ago, pulling dry van in a 2019 Volvo 760 for a transportation company based out of Bedford, TX known as, Euro United LLC. His transition from luxury hotels to the accommodating dimensions of a semi-tractor took some adjustment, but he adapted quick and was well worth the change of scenery on behalf of his family. What differentiates Euro United from other companies is the way they treat their drivers. Given their driver-friendly environment and flexible schedule, Clint also adds that the owner goes out of his way to ensure the drivers are happy – “That is rare for most companies in our line of work! It says a lot about a trucking company when the owner sees the value in his drivers, giving them the recognition and respect they deserve.”

Brandy and Kaylee have both joined Clint in the truck for many road trips over the years. He began exploring the country as young as 5 years old, back when his father ran tanker in an old Mack truck. Clint recalls an air condition unit situated on the top of the cab, at every turn it would poor water down directly on to them inside of the truck. When Charles switched to a pool company, they traveled in a cabover, nothing very big or fancy – in fact, Clint’s seat was a box. He brought along a pillow to sit on. Many nights he and his father would climb on top of the cab and fall asleep gazing up at the stars.

While on the road they interacted with truckers over the CB, played ‘I spy’ games, and enjoyed listening to other drivers’ stories while relaxing at truck stops in passing. He describes the ambiance of these old truck stops with the restaurants and waitresses, like it was yesterday. The staff knew drivers by their names, each location catered to truck drivers. Clint remembers being broke down on the side of the road and truck drivers would stop to help them out. Stating, “They would get their tools out and fix the truck right there on the side of the road. These were the kind of drivers that were independent, hands-on. And they shared a brotherly bond that my father was a part of, even though most drivers we had never met – I was fully engulfed with everything trucking. I learned a lot being out on the road with my father, on safety and the image of a professional truck driver. But most importantly, on how to carry myself as a man.”

Kimberlee explains that while Clint is away during the week, communication is key to maintaining balance within their homelife. Working as a team, the couple carves out time to talk each morning and evening. She describes her husband as loving, funny, and generally a great guy who is thoughtful of his family and tries to be better than the day before. Together, the Lindsey family enjoys anything wildlife or watersports related. They all share a love for the outdoors – hiking, boating, any activities that allow them to have fun as a family.

“Clint, I want you to know how much I appreciate all of your hard work and dedication. Because of all that you do for us, it has provided me the opportunity to be the kind of mom many moms desire. I love you and can’t wait to see you this weekend.”

-Kimberlee Lindsey