Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/14583
SPONSORED INFORMATION SECTION Big Cat Brings a New Face to Trucking A lthough Rick Sylvester, aka “Big Cat,” has only been a company driver with Swift for a little over one year, he has taken his big persona viral with his YouTube sensation The Big Cat Trucker Show. Big Cat’s videologs chronicle his adventures in trucking from the time he entered the Swift Driving Academy through his current life on the road. His popular videos have transformed Sylvester, a former Internet sales and marketing director, into the face of ‘newbie’ drivers through his honest representations of life on the road. He is also living proof that anyone can become a truck driver and find solace in a community of like-minded individuals. “The more I got into trucking, the more I fell in love with the industry,” says Sylvester. “I show new drivers or even younger kids interested in the field the positive side of trucking, not just because you can make good money, not just because you can travel, but to really get to know the importance of truck drivers. To realize that this is what we do for our country, and that is so important.” After delivering freight to cold Northern ports and snowed-in sections of the Midwest, Sylvester started getting into a groove. He got used to life in his truck, devising the best methods for cooking, sleeping and dealing with being away from his family. “The new guys, they want to see everything. They want to see what a shower looks like; they want to see the inside of the truck. They want to see how you eat and cook, where you sleep, where you park. And there was nothing like that out there, so I took it upon myself to show them,” says Sylvester. His business background ensures Sylves- ter presents himself as a professional in all situations. He adopted something that he calls “Swift Pride,” — taking pride in his work by keeping his company-owned truck clean at all times. Big Cat believes in the power of positive thinking. His attitude, dedication and profes- sionalism shines through everything he does. “If you like what you do, you are going to take pride in your work, and you’ll go the extra mile,” he says. For now, the Big Cat continues to spread the good word about trucking, one mile at a time. Please come by and visit the Big Cat, Swift Pride Truck, and the Swift Recruiting Team at Booth 21145 at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. q Visit www.truckersnews.hotims.com and enter 375 WTI 0810TopFleets HalfH.indd 1 7/1/10 10:24 AM