Truckers News

May 2011

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earlier rust of irregular play begins to fade. It’s the kind of consistency that has helped him find a comfortable niche at Navajo Express, where he has been for 12 years. “I don’t like looking for jobs,” Charlie jokes. “My requirements for a trucking company are No. 1, get me home on time. And No. 2, keep me busy. Navajo had a reputation of keeping guys busy.” Charlie drives a 2009 T660 at the Denver-based company, and the fleet is comprised primarily of Kenworths. He is fine with whatever brand of truck the company provides as long as his longtime driv- ing companion, Angelo, is allowed to ride along. Angelo is the dog his father-in-law gave him sev- eral years ago after trading a load of wood for the canine. Wherever Charlie goes, so does Angelo. Together they have built a solid reputation for dependability and, most of all, loyalty. In 2009, Charlie was one of 12 finalists for the Truckload Carriers Association’s Company Driver of the Year award. “Charlie is a model driver,” Harris boasts. “I wish I could clone him 800 times. I wish every driver was as conscientious as him.” Charlie’s secret to a successful career in truck- ing is simple — safety first. “I try to practice safe driving habits,” he says. “It’s about managing your space. Managing your space while you’re back- ing, while you’re parking and while you’re driving. You’ve got to stay focused.” FAMILY FIRST After packing up the clubs, we head to Charlie’s home. He lives in a Tijeras Canyon neighborhood at the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, where he is surrounded by relatives of his wife, Janice. Her CANDID CHARLIE Favorite movie: “Brian’s Song” Favorite song: “I like old country — Hank Williams Sr., Marty Robbins. But I also listen to Linkin Park. I don’t really have a favorite song.” Charlie and Janice have been married 13 years and have four children and one grandson. Ironically, they met for the first time at their 20th high school reunion. They are shown with their grandson, Diego Garcia. family’s roots go back generations on the same plot of ground. “It took a bit of getting used to for me,” Char- lie says of living among in-laws. “Growing up, there was just four of us. But now I can’t imagine not hav- ing my wife’s family around me. It gives me peace of mind knowing that I have so many people here to help with anything that comes up when I’m gone.” Both Charlie and Janice were previously mar- ried and divorced. Ironically, they met each other for the first time at their 20th high school reunion. “Even though we went to the same high school and graduated in the same [1976] class, we didn’t know each other,” Janice says. “A mutual friend introduced us.” They have been married 13 years and between them have four grown chil- dren, Lauren Hamilton, Jaimie Hamilton, Annette Garcia and Celeste Nuanez, and one grandson, Diego Garcia. Favorite color: “Red” If I weren’t trucking … “I’d be welding” Always in the truck cooler: “Ham and cheese. And red peppers on the way out packed by my mother-in-law.” What I want people to say about me: “He was a good person.” Favorite place to truck: “Any load coming home.” Who would play me in a movie: “Beavis or Butthead” (laughs) One place I’d like to visit: “Australia” 26 TRUCKERS NEWS MAY 2011 Charlie almost always makes it home for important family events like birth- days, anniversaries and weddings. “That’s important to me,” he says. “My family comes first.” Janice, who works for a veteran’s hos- pital in Albuquerque, is looking for- ward to the day when she and Charlie both retire so they can spend more time together — “Fishing,” she says. “I love to fish.” Charlie smiles and dutifully nods his head. There is little doubt he will man- age a golf club in one hand and a fishing pole in the other with ease. RANDY GRIDER RANDY GRIDER

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