Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/506679
May 2015 | Overdrive | 29 Two years later, Miller, 44, is in far better shape. And while good health is priceless, he's not complain- ing about being $25,000 richer, his award for being named 2014 Owner-Op- erator of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Associa- tion and Overdrive. "He's very involved in the industry and manages to balance being a professional driver, training others and helping others in the commu- nity," says Andrea Mueller, Prime's recruiting media coordinator. "It's very impres- sive that he can do all those things when some people struggle just to be a driver." Because of Miller's inter- nal prominence as a trainer and an award-winning driv- er, his success with the health program has helped it grow at Prime, says his friend, Da- vid White, a safety supervisor at the fl eet. "Being involved with America's Road Team, and involved in the Truck Driving Championships like he is every year, it's given it better exposure," White says. Miller says the program isn't complicated. "You get your calories and carbs to a manageable level," he says. "It's not a huge cut." The exercise component Thomas Miller credits his daughter, Mackenzie, left, and her friend, Alexis Scroggin, for the idea to raise money for childhood cancer patient Sam Biggs. For these special runs, two-wheelers best Thomas Miller, a self-described "avid motorcyclist," never imag- ined the destinations where his hobby would lead him. His wife, Misty, and daughters, Kylie and Mackenzie, also like riding on his Victory Cross Country, "so sometimes there's a big debate when I come home about who's going to go for a ride with me that particular day," he says. A common outing for them and like-minded family bikers in their hometown of Bunker Hill, Ill., is Daddy Day, when they do a father-child motorcycle ride together. As one Daddy Day approached last year, Alexis Scroggin, a friend of then-12-year- old Mackenzie's, had an idea. "Alexis said 'Let's try to raise money for Sam,' " recalls Miller. Sam Biggs, Miller's second cousin, was suffering from a childhood cancer. "Next thing I know, they've got it all over Facebook, telling their friends, and it went from four or fi ve people riding with their daughters to 30 bikes that showed up that day." Miller was planning to be at Prime headquarters the following week for a company picnic, so he spread the word about doing a Ride for Sam in Springfi eld, Mo. "Every single person with a mo- torcycle said 'Absolutely,' " he says, and about 20 people rode. The two events brought in about $1,400 for Sam. He's since passed away, but Miller and others plan to continue the rides to raise money for the family and let them donate to a cancer chari- ty of their choice. This year's ride will be June 6 in Springfi eld. Mackenzie and Alexis "deserve all the credit in the world," Miller says. "I was overwhelmed and proud." Search "Thomas Miller" at youtube.com/Overdrivemag to see a video profi le of him that was shown at the Truckload Carriers Association banquet, where he was named 2014 Owner-Operator of the Year and awarded $25,000. The award, along with a $25,000 award for Company Driver of the Year Gary Teel, was made possible by sponsors Love's Travel Stops and Cummins. In addition to the TCA award and serving as a 2013-14 captain for America's Road Team, he's won dozens of awards from Prime Inc. and the Missouri Trucking Association, among other honors.