OF ONE MIND - Missy Raby

OF ONE MIND

Legend Nominee: Joan Elizabeth Raby

“Missy”

Most all truck drivers are involved or have volunteered his or her time on behalf of a non-profit group, organization, program, and/or charity work. Participation includes financial donations or serving as a member of an association raising funds through awareness for a certain cause. Each organization’s mission implements positivity – affecting lives for the greater good. In the trucking industry, the numerous avenues to participate covers all walks of life – through large scale benefits to much smaller projects. The recipient(s) vary from children fighting cancer, families in need, veterans of service, and animals.

The impressive rising number of volunteers within our industry’s non-profit organizations is credited to the many selfless truck drivers across the nation. Through social media and their connections from one coast stretching across the U.S. in every direction, the community of truck drivers is beyond vast and recognized as a whole for their passion to help others. Their willingness to offer assistance and support, together with their demanding work schedule, defines who today’s truck driver really is…

A professional tasked with the obligation to service an entire country providing necessities needed to survive; all fields of commerce thrive on the success of the trucking industry. Without truck drivers the exchange of merchandise would cease; production and distribution is the axis in which the world revolves. At the heart of it, truck drivers are a key asset in keeping our economy strong. But with all of the platforms available for drivers to extend aid, who and where do they turn to in search of support when needed?

SAFE SPACE

This Legend driver is an advocate for impowering others who seek to gain knowledge within the trucking realm and attain success as a truck driver. Her own personal driving career was greatly influenced by the veteran drivers put in her path. The experience led to the creation of her forum, Ask A Veteran Driver – designed for drivers, by a driver. Stating,

“These seasoned professionals are extremely knowledgeable, resourceful, and accomplished. They are exactly who newer drivers need to learn from. When you’re a student in training there is so much thrown at you, but the stuff that really sticks typically happens once he or she is on the road alone – trial and error – there’s no better learning curve. Except I noticed that we, as drivers needed a type of safe space where we could all come together and communicate… where we could help one another learn. That’s the beauty of trucking, you never stop learning!”

Former graphic artist turned business owner, Joan Elizabeth Raby; known to many as, Missy (Lady Trucker), her transition into the driver’s seat of a semi hit a snag when placed with her first driver-trainer. Thankfully, her second instructor stepped in and filled the role as teacher, mentor, and voice of reason many years later. As a result of her rocky start, Missy put on her creative business hat and launched Ask A Veteran Driver. When truck drivers are seeking guidance in relation to the job, who better to address such inquiries than the men and women drivers that have been in the business for decades.

Established in 2013, Ask A Veteran Driver has expanded to include 4,700 active members with a combined total of over 10,000 years of driving experience. These elite veterans have witnessed the evolution of equipment, withstood the fluctuation of rules and regulations, and welcomed each generation of drivers as their territory advanced from old-school values to modern trends and technology-based provisions. Despite the transformative changes within the trucking industry, the most invaluable resource remains unaltered: on the job driving experience. You see, every tasty homemade dish claims to have a secret ingredient. Its unknown identity is highly favored in regards to being the entrusted element yielding its final completion; elevating the dish from mediocre to outstanding. Veteran truck drivers are the secret ingredient to our pool of intelligent, versatile, and ambitious drivers of today.

With a million miles under her belt, Missy states that drivers (millennials and old-school) should always attest to two rules in order to achieve long-term success.

Be respectful of one another. Every driver was new at one point in their career; the veteran drivers are who have paved the way for today’s wave of professionals.

Ask for help. The greatest tool a driver can possess is their ability to gain knowledge.

As a female driver, the only woman in her training class consisting of 50 students, the need to absorb as much helpful information was imperative, but she was unaware of how to attain that feedback. Ask A Veteran Driver was created with drivers in mind, where they can ask questions without judgement; veteran drivers offer advice, mutual respect is reciprocated – raising awareness on the importance of lifting one another through acts of encouragement and support; while insight of the business is shared. All topics are discussed: the latest on safety rules and regulations, up-to-date information pertaining to weather advisories/observing precautionary measures, the subjects continue – none too minor, all considered beneficial to someone within the forum.

The community Facebook page is titled, Ask A Veteran Driver and acts as a private setting strictly for the peer group – meaning, all members are drivers who have obtained a Class A or B license, or are a relative/spouse of a current member. Drivers have the option to ask questions anonymously, Missy will post on their behalf, allowing everyone the opportunity to address the matter of interest. Mentorship is offered, they will be paired with another driver that specializes in their specific line of work. As the forum gains attention, each member joins for their own objective. Whether to engage and encourage drivers or inquire and apply information – the more drivers that discover value within the group, its platform will remain.

MORE THAN COMPLACENCY

After her first year of running over-the-road, Missy branched out expanding her résumé to include hazardous loads transporting cryogenic and pneumatic tanks. Spending time in the oil fields, she pulled flatbed and step deck out West, before switching to local work in her home state of Ohio. She now operates a 2013 International day cab for Rush Expediting’s Cincinnati terminal. Wanting a more stable work schedule, she made the career move, trading the extended miles for evenings at home with her 81-year old father, Jerry Messer. She says, “My dad is retired… and I didn’t want to look back and wish that I had spent more time with him. So, I came off the road from running long-haul and now I spend most nights and weekends at home. We have a blast together!”

During Jerry’s first adventure in the truck with Missy, he was taken back by his daughter’s ability to maneuver such a monster of a vehicle, along with the level of dedication and skill she administered as a driver. Explaining to his daughter, “I had no idea what you truck drivers go through out here. This is a real eye opener.” Missy adds, the freedom and self-sufficiency required hails from her upbringing. The fact she is a woman upholding her duties as a truck driver brings forth a level of satisfaction and accomplishment that she recommends all women to pursue.

An Ohio-native, Missy and her two older brothers grew up in the country on their family farm. She fell in love with horses early on and began riding at age seven. Everyone in the house had their share of responsibilities on the farm. It was then Missy learned the value of a strong work ethic. She reminds herself of those same principles she grew up with; work hard, stay positive, and don’t give up. All attributes that are apparent in her accident-free driving record, represented through her on-time delivery rating, and demonstrated in her cheerful attitude when providing customer service. “I think perseverance is important as a truck driver. We all have those days, whether due to traffic, inclement weather, or just a bad day in general… we have had to push through these circumstances that normally would dampen our entire mood for the remainder of the day. Remembering why we do this for a living is what makes a true truck driver great,” she said.

Missy has always been comfortable around heavy equipment and dump trucks, having relatives and friends all of her life that worked as contractors in the construction field. Eager to begin her own journey, after high school she held multiple jobs determined to make ends meet. At age 20, she relocated down South to be near her brother. She used her previous skills as a secretary to secure an office position with a large corporation in Orlando. While residing in Florida she met her future husband; a Navy drill instructor. The two wed, had a daughter, and traveled with the military until their separation in 2000.

Missy opted to return home to Cincinnati and opened her own graphic shop. Four years later, the economy took a nose dive, forcing her to close the doors. She moved back to Florida to find work and help support her daughter in college at the University of Central Florida. Once settled in, Missy enrolled into a school, as well – Roadmaster Drivers School – to receive the proper training needed to earn her commercial driver’s license. After graduating, her real-life education began to unfold each day she took to the road.

An avid spokesperson for the Smith System, Missy explains being a vigilant driver is the number one rule that has kept her safe while on the road throughout her driving career. She attributes her clean safety record to the Smith System; a program developed to help drivers “see, think, and act in any given environment” – all proven to reduce accidents and save lives. Adding, “These key fundamentals seem basic, but they work. The name of the game is safety!” Also important, paying attention to the flow of traffic. Her tips: maintain extra space between vehicles and leave yourself a place to pull off, if possible.

NO REGRETS

Joining the trucking industry as a professional driver started as an endeavor to chase a bold career move. The intention to provide for her family still remains her true purpose, whereas her adventures along the way have been unforgettable. She has traveled to all 48 states; discovered the beautiful landscapes of Wyoming, the scenic mountains in Virginia, and the open deserts stretching across Arizona. Since planting her roots in Cincinnati, rather than continue exploring the country, her choice was made with no regret – rather with a full and humble heart.

Missy fully understands how the trucking industry provided the passage to grow in confidence and emerge with the certainty of a job well done. Many claim, driving a semi-truck can serve as a vessel for healing – therapeutic and restorative. Also for Missy, the financial security she possesses as a truck driver boosted her independence, reassuring herself that she made the right decision.

Currently mentoring four up-and-coming drivers, she remains the same woman she was before devoting herself to a profession that many are not cut out for. Her upbeat personality draws people in, but it’s her love for our industry that drivers find evident.

“Driving a truck is more than just that… it gets in your blood. It takes over your way of thinking – you find yourself wanting to do more once you can drive a semi. You want to try new adventures, see the country, do it all! Trucking has a way of empowering you to push yourself, to not become complacent… to always want more out of life.”