Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/270298
Path Profiles Career Time with J.B. Hunt: 19 years Hampton's friend and colleague Marco Torres couldn't agree more. Torres de- scribes himself as the kind of person who always needs a challenge, and he says that's what makes J.B. Hunt the perfect company for him. "I like to think of myself as unique," Tor- res says. "I'm adventurous, always chas- ing the next challenge. And J.B. Hunt is very versatile as a company, so that's why I've stayed with them so long. I don't think I'll be getting bored here." Torres started his trucking career in 1994 as a driver for J.B. Hunt. He drove intermodal, regional and over-the-road be- fore moving to train other drivers. Then he decided he wanted to give management a try. "My only regret is that I didn't do it ear- lier," says Torres. Torres says he made a point to get to know people, and he asked for advice. Most importantly, though, he followed that advice. And after completing his bach- elor's and master's degrees in operations management, he let people know he was interested in applying for a management position. It wasn't long before he was com- ing off the road to become a management trainee. "Initially, it was a bit of a step down be- cause drivers are paid so well," says Tor- res. "But eventually you get past that, and there are a plethora of challenges." Today, Torres is an operations supervi- sor for J.B. Hunt, and he says he couldn't be happier. "One of my biggest goals is that I want to enjoy what I'm doing — and I do," says Torres. "I want my job to matter at my company, and at J.B. Hunt, I know it does." "J.B. Hunt doesn't treat their employees like a number," adds Torres. "They have never treated me like that. Anything they say or promise, they follow through with." Torres says it doesn't matter whether someone is a new hire or a company vet- eran — there is always opportunity for ev- eryone to fi nd his or her niche. "They want to fi nd a place for you," says Torres. "And they are a big enough com- pany that there is a place for everyone." Drivers who are interested in manage- ment already have a head start on advanc- ing, he adds. "J.B. Hunt can use the knowl- edge and experience that drivers have and put it to use in management," says Torres. "Drivers can actually do it easier than a regular management grad because they already know the fi eld." However, drivers aren't the only ones that can succeed at J.B. Hunt. "There is ample room for everybody, and not just in trucking and operations," adds Torres. "J.B. Hunt is a big company, so there are jobs in IT, marketing, recruiting … and that's just to name a few." "I would tell a new hire at J.B. Hunt that they just made the best decision they ever made," says Torres. "Stick with it. Learn as much as they can. Seriously consider it to be a lifelong career, because J.B. Hunt will take care of you." Torres says he intends to stay with J.B. Hunt as long as he can. After all, in a com- pany that emphasizes furthering your edu- cation so you can develop your career, the only limiting force at J.B. Hunt is you. "Coming to J.B. Hunt was the best deci- sion I ever made," Torres says. ◆ For your opportunity with J.B. Hunt, call 1-800-297-4321 or visit www.jbhunt.jobs. You can also connect with J.B. Hunt at Facebook.com/jbhuntdrivers. 22 www.studentdriversplacement.com March '14 career path 0314.indd 2 2/19/14 3:34 PM