TEAM GOALS - Mark & Charles Hubbard
TEAM GOALS
Legend Nominees: Mark & Charles Hubbard
A father of five, along with the addition of his eleven grandchildren, Mark Hubbard refers to himself as an “average joe.” However, the more in depth our interview got, the more I believe he is far more than ordinary.
Mark is a Navy veteran and a former retiree (having dedicated over thirty-four years to a waste water treatment plant as a system operator for the city of Davenport, Iowa.) He has since returned to the workforce as one-half of a driving team of a truck which is leased to a privately-owned carrier; known as one of America’s most experienced trucking companies in the industry, Hirschbach. Labeling himself a simple man, humbled by life and all the greatness that each year unveils, his professional career as a truck driver initially resurfaced the summer of 2016.
A native of Davenport, Iowa, thirty-year-old Charles Hubbard displays an impressive background in mechanics; which ultimately led him into automotive maintenance and repair work. His training began with servicing cars, vans, and light trucks. Naturally a sponge for knowledge (one of many gifts inherited from his father and being a quick study,) he soon moved on to a much larger scale that included semi-trucks. The added responsibilities that accompanied this broader spectrum into a different lane of business piqued his interest; offering him an opportunity to spread his wings, and challenge himself intellectually as an individual, as well as, a business man.
Driving an 18-wheeler for a living, as opposed to manual labor performed on big rigs, presented a fresh start to a new career. Hired on as a company driver, Charles hauled refrigerated shipping containers over the road. As his first year running as a solo driver unfolded, more changes began to take place. One being, the moment his father agreed to join him on the road and run as a team.
THE JOURNEY
Mark describes his son, Charles, as a kind man with a loving heart who is very likeable and willing to help others every chance he is given. As a business partner and team driver, his son’s new-found love of trucks inspired his own reasoning for coming out of retirement.
Without a single friend or family member in the trucking industry, Mark’s desire to pursue a future as a truck driver was fueled by memories of his days spent in the military. He explains,
“I am the youngest of three, stemming from a strong military family. My father and brother both served in the Navy. My sister was in the Army Reserves; she retired as a Command Sergeant Major. After turning eighteen, I spent a year in the Air Force Reserves, then opted to cross over to the Navy and serve as active duty for another three years. Later, when I got out of the service and was in limbo of my next move, I decided on a program that allowed me to use my GI Bill towards the tuition to attend truck driving school. The smell of diesel from a semi-truck on a cold morning, infused with the air in my lungs literally breathed life into the existence of me driving a truck.”
Licensed, trained, and eager, Mark was immediately hired by an independent contractor hauling a trailer of swinging meat. Hence the word, swinging. That alone should provide a slight time frame on when Mark took to the road. He ran long haul in a 13-speed Freightliner cab-over for one year. He then switched to local work, driving a straight truck. His glory days as an over the road truck driver were short lived, as he married his wife Teresa in 1979, and accepted a supervisor position working for the city of Davenport, IA. Still able to get his hands on the occasional piece of heavy equipment, his desire to further travel the country laid dormant until Charles’ announcement to head out west to Salt Lake City.
He, himself, had never been far away from Davenport; especially not out West. Ready for a change of scenery, (and with the encouragement of his father) Charles decided to attend trucking school in Utah. He knew the move would either be a hard lesson learned, resulting in tucking his tail and returning home, or the beginning of something great. Charles continues,
“Arriving in an unfamiliar place, not knowing what to expect was an eye-opener. I was curious, nervous, and ready all at the same time. I just kept reminding myself that it was time to step out and try something different. I took it one day at a time. Looking back now, it seems silly because I love traveling! For the most part, I adapted well. That’s sort of an undiscussed subject, but it’s important that a driver knows how to be flexible and accept change and roll with it. Resiliency is a big part to succeeding in our line of work.”
Growing up, his father drove a truck for a short time. His oldest brother, Chris, beat him to the punch, and followed in their father’s footsteps. It was he who played the role of a mentor for Charles as he found his own rhythm starting out. Often, Charles sought out advice from his big brother; given Chris’s twelve years of experience. In turn, he offered guidance and simple pointers that were sure to help Charles in the long run. “When I was a solo driver, having my brother there for me and knowing that he understood exactly what I was going through made all the difference. Also, seeing him on the road and how he supports his family, motivated me to keep pushing forward,” he said.
One tip that Charles insists has saved him numerous times from having a really bad day was using a Road Atlas, versus a GPS unit. Relying on an atlas may sound borderline prehistoric for many, since Google Maps is the latest and greatest. However, from one professional trucker to all eyes reading this print, take heed:
“I always carry my Road Atlas around; particularly for the New York roadway. The details on a map are more accurate than a navigational system- trust me. For whatever area you need, an atlas can help get you there safely. If you’re trip-planning, use a map. All the information a driver needs is available right there on a map, and you don’t have to bother with pushing any buttons or waiting for a device to locate a place of interest. Map it out.”
The amount of growth Mark was subject to while serving in the military as a teenager left a huge impression. His work ethic demonstrates the moral principles he gained, then later passed down to his children, and now shares with us to incorporate into our lives. He states, “I learned extensive amounts of knowledge while serving in the military. Not just to improve my quality of work, but to apply in everyday life as a person while at work or at home with my family. The key being, pride. I was taught to take pride in my job. When a person puts forth more than just an effort, but their full capability to provide the best of what they have to offer, that’s pride. Pride doesn’t allow you to give anything less than your best.”
And lastly,
Be on time or be early.
Mark’s words that he lives by. Adding, “People don’t hire people that are late.”
COMMON GROUND
Hearing his father’s stories of when truckers drove freight-shakers, Charles says, “you have no choice but to listen respectfully.” Over forty-plus years ago, when his dad was making a living driving a truck, they were considered heroes of the highways. He says, “I love learning about my dad’s past and where he came from. When he talks about driving those cab-overs from back in the day; the ones that could rattle the teeth out of your skull, that is when you know the story is about to be a good one.”
Running team has its pros and cons, as expected. A few positives being: more miles, more money, more opportunities to stop and visit. But for Charles, knowing that when it’s his turn to sit in the passenger seat, there is nobody he trusts more than his team driver. Trust is the strength needed to feed the heartbeat of any relationship to thrive. Trust coupled along with patience and communication, but trust is paramount.
Both men agree that by separating their business partnership, from their father and son relationship, allows them to appreciate their quality time at home together, as they should. “I’m running team with my dad, so of course I’m hard-headed at times; normal kid stuff. But, being out here in this truck alone for so long, you’re bound to bump heads. We have learned how to tolerate one another when we disagree. When we get upset due to work, we leave it in the truck and not let it disrupt our home lives. Because when we are home… we want to focus on enjoying that time with our family. On the road it’s business, at home we’re family first,” Charles said.
Mark had the experience of driving with another trucker, afterwards promising himself never to attempt running team again… unless with family. He explains, “Charles has ridden with other guys, having that experience and being my son, I knew going into this that I don’t have to worry about anything. I trust him with my life. We’re more than a team. He is my right arm.”
Never underestimate a person by their age. Mark’s prior experience over the road may have been during a different era of time, but his proficiency and know-how cannot be undone. What he brings to the team is an old-school mindset that I hope to see more drivers embrace. Having Charles enter the trucking scene coming from a digital generation, his knowledge helps keep his driving partner in the loop with today’s technology and advances. Sharing equal ambition and desire for success, Mark and Charles find balance as business partners by utilizing each other’s different skill sets as leverage.
RECOGNITION
In June, the Hubbard men will celebrate their third year as lease purchase independent contractors with Hirschbach. In a 2016 International, they’re currently running a dedicated route pulling a reefer. In January, they established MTCK White Wolf Trucking, LLC with plans to expand their business to include two, maybe three, additional trucks in the future. Teresa, who still works for the city of Davenport, manages their paperwork; as the letters of their business represent the first initial impressions of Mark, Teresa, Charles, and his fiancé, Kristina.
Since joining the driving force at Hirschbach, the support they have received thus far, reassures them that they are with the right trucking company to grow as lease purchase contractors. They were among the honorees for Hirschbach’s Best of the Best Banquet, in which owner operators and employee drivers were recognized for their outstanding service and excellent driving records. In celebration of no violations and accident-free, both men received leather coats on behalf of Hirschbach. Most importantly, the acknowledgment of their hard work and commitment adds to the many qualities, aside from profitable incentives that Hirschbach offers their contractors. Mark says, “Hirschbach provides a very family-oriented atmosphere. They’re a place that truly cares about the men and women who represent this company. Every person that we’ve had connections with, from our DM’s to our recruiter, Lacey Curry, they all treat us with respect. The owners of Hirschbach have even called to thank us for our services. When people go out of their way to show appreciation, that kind of stuff sticks with you.”
Charles admits that he will never forget his first day behind the wheel, driving a big rig. A flood of emotions poured over him. He says, “I remember thinking, I can’t believe I’m actually doing this! And how proud my dad and brother were going to be. It was all surreal.” The amount of respect from Mark to his son is heartfelt and pure, and signifies why they make the perfect team.
“Spending time with my son is absolutely priceless. I wouldn’t be doing this at all if it were anyone else. He is allowing me, his dad, to go along with him on his personal journey. Not all fathers would say they get to do this. Being able to watch him grow and become the man he is today has been so special for me. Seeing the changes and obstacles he has been through and continues to face is inspiring.”
Look further, beyond the surface and you’ll see a team of truck drivers; two individual men at two different places in their lives on an adventure traveling the country. They share a passion for trucking and an understanding of the responsibilities that come with the profession. Mark and Charles present an image as team drivers, but also as a goal for other teams to aspire.