Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/71813
Since purchasing this Western Star a year ago, Leatherwood has driven more than 104,000 miles, and he averages six miles per gallon. JAMES LEATHERWOOD 1962: Born in Anchorage, Alaska, and moved to Beaumont, Texas 1985: Began first trucking job hauling produce 1987: Married wife, Sherry 1988: Son, Tri', was born 1992: Bought first truck, a 1988 Freightliner Classic 1993: Daughter, Shyann, was born 2005: Bought 2000 Freightliner Classic 2011: Bought current truck, 2006 Western Star maintenance. He added a wood floor to his first truck. On its exterior, he repainted and added lots of LEDs. His current tractor, an '06 Western Star 4900EX, has acquired quite a few extras itself, including a microwave, a 26-inch flat-screen television and chrome mud flap hangers with LED lights with mud flaps made of horse stall mats. Leatherwood's career in trucking began in 1985, after being laid off at a refinery where he worked in construction. "I was about 22," he says. "I had no idea what I wanted to do … but the truck driving school I talked to promised me I could get a job." During the job search following completion of the driving course, "this one guy kept telling me to come back tomorrow," he adds. "Well, me being young, I kept coming back, even though he didn't really want to hire me." His persistence paid off. Eventually an employee quit, and J&L Trucking's owner was in a bind to get a load delivered. Leatherwood was hired. Afterward, Leatherwood worked with eight companies as a company driver or an owner-operator in his quest for a job providing adequate home time. In 2000, he joined Sleetwood Trucking. The company split in 2003, and he began work with the part that became Louisiana Transport Inc. His agent then was Terry Winchester, father of Leatherwood's current agent, Shane Winchester. At LTI, he hauls steel and "a whole lot of fire hydrants" with his 2003 Transcraft trailer. Working for a percentage of revenue, Leatherwood had net earnings of $40,000 on just 88,000 miles in 2010. His wife tracks his fuel costs and other expenses. Leatherwood "takes his time to do everything right, he never gets in altercations with customers or other drivers, he travels all 48 states, and he hauls anything you ask him to — overall, he's just a great guy," Shane Winchester says. LTI "always has people around to talk to if you need help on a load," Leatherwood says. "I'm never gone from home that long either," a nice perk as his two kids were growing up over the last decade. Whenever Leatherwood comes into the office, "he's always so mild- mannered and cooperative with everyone," says LTI Operations Manager Jerry Campbell. "He stays busy, his revenue is high, and he never has service issues — his reputation is nearly impeccable with LTI." Leatherwood's arrangement with LTI gives him a lot of freedom to get home to his family in Beaumont. "I don't have a lot of off-time, but being able to have 3 tips on attitude In addition to focusing on equipment maintenance, Leatherwood offers this advice for mental maintenance: • "Be patient. You never know what other drivers will do." • "Treat your customers with respect, and they will return the favor." • Keep your cool. "I'm not very opinionated, and I think sometimes it helps me out in business because I don't have a short temper." the option to go home if I need or want it — it's hard to beat." Much of his home time is spent taking care of two horses: a paint stud, Hank, and a solid mare quarterhorse named Stormy. His love for horses even gained him a CB handle with quirky spelling: Horst Shoe. "I seldom ride them, but they're beautiful to watch," Leatherwood says. When he does ride one, it's the paint stud. "He's not fixed and he's still as gentle as a dog." James Leatherwood is a finalist for the 2012 Owner-Operator of the Year award, which is sponsored by Overdrive and the Truckload Carriers Association. The winner will be announced at TCA's annual convention, March 3-6, 2013, in Las Vegas. JULY 2012 OVERDRIVE 43 Scott Wheeler