WORKING MAN - Mark Clark

WORKING MAN

Legend Nominee: Mark Clark

This Legend driver found his niche in the trucking industry and has developed a repertoire of loyal clients and referrals, along with a successful business built upon the quality of work that accompanies his name.

Georgia native, Mark Clark has over 22 years of experience as a professional driver behind the wheel; having pulled dry van, flatbed, and pretty much perfected the art of pulling a lowboy trailer with ease. Ultimately, making a living hauling logs and heavy equipment. Closing in on his tenth year as a business owner, Mark states it has been a culmination of pure dedication and hard work (for many years) that has led to the success of his company today.

With two million lifetime miles under his belt, there has been more to just keeping his foot to a pedal that has allowed him to achieve big results. For Mark, it has been all about the many hats that his role commands. One minute, he is working as a logger, tucked away deep in the forest operating a feller buncher; in which, he is able to cut and gather several trees in one motion. He also works as his own middle man “skidding” trees to then transport the logs to local mills. He says, “I stay hands-on at all times. I work just like everyone else, every day.” See, that’s the thing… not everyone else has the responsibilities of such. As mentioned, you can easily catch Mark running heavy machinery, or driving his truck stacked with logs. And then, the next minute he is in line at a bank running errands.

I can’t express enough about how I feel that the duties of professional truck drivers hardly get the recognition they solely deserve. Or, how often truck drivers go underappreciated, as well as, misunderstood. With that said, Mark touched on another insight that log haulers face.

“Most of the time, the only thing people tend to notice about logging is the trucks that go up and down the road. Some people get nervous or seem scared by them. Nobody ever sees the logging side and what all goes on, because we’re always in the woods. They don’t know the tedious care we put into safely securing every load. Or the steps we take to get those logs on the trucks, from A to B. All people see is the logs. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.”

Ready for the Road

The daily production of logging involves a work environment consistent to the parallels of farming. Muddy boots, dirty hands, stained clothing, sweat drenched hats. Very similar to farmers, they share a passion for all of the above which is proven in every returning day of work. It may have been Mark’s earlier days spent on his family’s farm that initiated his love for the outdoors.

Born the oldest of three children and the only boy, Mark refers to himself as the odd one out of the bunch. He says, “My family farmed until I was about seven or eight. At the time, both of my parents were in college pursuing their degrees in the education field. I was young then, but I was immersed in the farm life. We grew crops and had cattle and a hog operation. When it came to chores, I did everything! It was then and there when I became fascinated with anything that had wheels.” Mark’s childhood consisted of playing outside and driving farm equipment. Dating as far back as diapers, Mark riding tractors was a sure sign that he was going to be a natural.

A close acquaintance that was friends with Mark’s father owned a diesel shop nearby. He was allowed to shadow the men in the shop, and pitch in whenever an extra hand was needed after school or on the weekends from the age of ten up until Mark turned eighteen. They did repairs and rebuilt engines, transmissions, rears, and any other truck parts that Mark could get his hands on.

Once of age, Mark obtained his CDL and began driving for his father’s friend in a 1987 International Cabover. He remained with his company for two years and often did work for other local farmers too, pulling grain and logs to gain more experience.

Finding His Way

Never officially walking away from the trucking industry, Mark landed a full-time position for a utility company, continuing to drive his truck only on the weekends. In 1995, an opportunity presented itself and Mark saw it as nothing other than the perfect time to switch things up.

“The guy I was driving for was ready to sell his truck that I was in, so I jumped at the chance. I had always had it in my mind that I wanted to do things my own way. I was still pulling logs and logging equipment, but I was able to run under my own name.”

For ten years Mark built his book of business and began making a name for himself, but then another door opened…

A company Mark hauled for that sold logging equipment offered him a job in sales. Only after discussing the unexpected proposal with his wife, Kim did he decide to make the transition. Having Kim’s complete support in major decisions is extremely important to Mark. He says that’s how they remain connected and find balance within their marriage. Together they have two girls: Karmin (14) and Kamrin (8).

Before their busy schedules, between work and the kids’ events or activities, the pair enjoyed participating in mud races. “I’ve had at least four trucks and a jeep that we raced. And we built them all! I’ve raced since I was fifteen, but only occasionally dabble in it now. Before the kids, we traveled all over the southeast to race,” he said. His hobbies these days rest around rebuilding trucks. Otherwise, he spends as much free time with his family as possible.

Three years into selling heavy equipment, on a regular day at work the stars had aligned and in walked Mark’s man of the hour. A client had come to him for assistance; he was going out of business and needed help selling all of his equipment. Mark continues, “It’s like a light came on for me. It was basically a complete, packaged deal. Meaning, crew-ready with three trucks, three trailers, and equipment for the woods. So, I bought it all!”

BOSS MAN

In 2008, M. Clark Logging, LLC was established. I asked Mark if he had any hesitations toward starting a business again. The only difference from the first time was that this venture came with a huge disadvantage; the one thing missing was reliable employees to operate each truck and piece of equipment. He says, “Of course I wondered if I was doing the right thing, but I like a challenge. So, I went for it! And anything I have ever done, I always put 110% into it. Whether it’s racing or working, I can’t do anything other than my best. When this opportunity unfolded before me, I had to step out on a limb of faith and give it all I had.” Well, that limb was a step in the right direction.

M. Clark Logging started with five people, including himself. Now he has seven employees, with seven trucks operating five of them daily, while Kim handles his bookwork. Both of his parents are retired educators. His father purchased a truck, hauling logs alongside Mark and also pulls grain for farmers in the area, as well.

As the saying goes, with great risk comes great reward. Running a business can easily become overwhelming. Mark’s words of encouragement during those moments sound simple enough, but is exactly how he has managed to get through his most difficult days. Regardless how polished and prepared you are in your work, complications are bound to happen. The unexpected will occur. It’s how you bounce back that sets the tone moving forward.

“None of this has been easy. If it were easy, everybody would be doing what I do for a living. Managing everything and everyone; overseeing it all at times can get to be too much. I have to stop and take a step back. I remember when I was younger and just starting out, how the guys in the shop I grew up in handled business… with the trucks and their drivers. Witnessing all of that has been a big influence on how I conduct myself today. I just remind myself to take things one step at a time. You must find your footing when things start to go sideways, and replant yourself. That’s all you can do. And those rough days will pass.”

Mark’s biggest piece of advice is directed toward his provisions that he takes as a business owner: take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. Do the upkeep! Without trucks, trailers, or equipment your services are unproductive. Proper maintenance is crucial for Mark on account of hauling sixty to seventy loads per week. In addition to consistent high-quality serviceability, Mark also takes pride in the appearance of his equipment. He says, “It’s tough trying to keep our trucks clean in my line of work, but that’s sort of how I’m known around my area; by how good I keep my trucks up. Knowing that people recognize my trucks, I take pride in that! They’re older trucks, but they look brand new.”

As for Mark’s working crew, finding individuals that display the same level of professionalism as he does to represent his company is an assignment all its own. He describes what he tends to favor when searching for employees to join his team. Mostly, characteristics that model the old school generation of drivers. “They’re very rare to come by these days. Ol’ school truckers go the extra mile to get his or her job done the safest way possible. There was this sense of self-pride that went into their work and how they presented themselves in the public eye,” he said. Like-minded individuals that are family-oriented, skillful and hard-working, like their boss man are the perfect fit. He states that it helps to surround yourself with people that are passionate about what they do, that desire to achieve goals, and aren’t afraid to put in the work. That way everyone is on the same wavelength, working in unison.

The amount of attention that Mark pours into his trade constitutes what being a truck driver is genuinely about. Pride. Taking pleasure in accomplishing a challenge or professing one’s nature through his or her mannerism simply reflects their self-worth. As Mark said, old school drivers are considered a rare elite of truckers that are known for being courteous and humble, yet brave. Seasoned and experienced with class. Proficient and savvy, all mingled into an element of admiration that is highly respected.

We tip our hats to Mark for continuing to keep the image of ol’ school drivers alive as today’s example of a working man.