Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/204210
Sponsored information by Shell Rotella® WORK HARD, PLAY HARD Name: Jerry Kissinger Truck: 1991 Mack Superliner Miles: 1,120,000 OWNER-OPERATOR JERRY KISSINGER TAKES PRIDE IN HIS LONG-RUNNING TRUCKS J erry Kissinger's makes it pretty obvious that he loves his country, trucking and his family life. As a third-generation driver and owner-operator, he says it's all about seeing the country and hopefully getting to spend some time with his wife, Kay, while doing it. But it's even easier to get him to open up about another passion of his—raising money for charity organizations Make-AWish Foundation and the Special Olympics. Kissinger, owner-operator of a "freedom"themed 1991 Mack Superliner (dubbed the Thumper), was honored as the first U.S. inductee into Shell Rotella's Million Mile Hall of Fame in 2011 after logging more than a million miles on his truck, all using Shell Rotella T heavy-duty oil in his engine. The Thumper has also earned him a collection of nearly 80 awards and plaques at trucking competitions over the years. ica Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. in March 2014—but since his father passed away in June 2012, he's been spending a little less time on the road and a bit more time managing the day-to-day operations. Kissinger's father helped managed their business, Independent Operator Inc., which is based in Cottage Grove, Wis. "It started with my grandfather," he says. "Then my dad got the company and it passed hands to me. So I've been in the industry my entire life." Kissinger worked as mechanic in the shop while he was in high school, did his first haul at age 17 and after a stint as a roadie and a driver for bands like Pink Floyd and Van Halen in the '80s, he joined forces with his father to haul mostly dairy products from Schreiber Foods Inc. around the Midwest. He took over the business in the early '90s. Works hard He's still driving the truck—though he's working on a complete restoration of a 1979 Mack to be debuted at the Mid-Amer- Plays hard Though he's been spending more time in the office and had less time for shows, he's still been able to squeeze in a quick haul ShellAdvertorial_OVD1113_PG.indd 1 here and there on the weekends. And he hasn't faltered in supporting the Make-AWish Foundation and the Special Olympics, two charities that he's made a priority since he first attended the Waupun Truck-NShow in 2002, which raises money for the organizations. Kissinger says he's been asked to be the parade marshal for the 2014 show—its 25th. He says he challenges his customers to make contributions to the organizations and then matches their contributions. And he says by now, he's been able to help raise more than $500,000 for the Waupun show. The children he met in 2002 inspired Kissinger, and since then, he has desired to make their lives a little better every way he can. "By trucking—and by choosing the proper products to use in my trucks—I have control over my future," he says. "Shell keeps me running and keeps me economical so I can afford to help. Next week, I know I have to change the oil in my truck. These children don't know what their future is tomorrow." 10/29/13 11:22 AM