Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/287940
Path Profiles Career Stan Hampton, a 20-year J.B. Hunt veteran, says he's seen drivers move between positions as their interests and circumstances change. In fact, Hampton has had multiple positions with the com- pany himself — he began as a part-time worker and then moved on to dispatcher, logistics manager, fi eld fl eet manager, dedicated division account manager, then regional operations manager be- fore settling in his current position of Vice President of Corporate Driver Per- sonnel. "There's really no limit to the possibili- ties within the company," Hampton says. "You can transition to the job that fi ts with your season of life, and J.B. Hunt sup- ports your choices by offering opportuni- ties and training to help you succeed." Here is one J.B. Hunt employee who has moved through various paths over her professional career: Tracy Clark has also enjoyed her long career at J.B. Hunt. She says she got into trucking the cliché way: by marry- ing a truck driver. However, her career at J.B. Hunt has been anything but cliché. Her career began simply enough, though. Clark started out at J.B. Hunt in 1979 pulling long-haul freight. She drove for several years and even earned her million-mile safe driving award. However, after a few years, Clark's family situation changed. She and her husband obtained custody of her step- son, and she needed to have more time at home. "If you need a change, the most impor- tant thing is that you just communicate that," Clark says. "There's a lot of op- portunity at J.B. Hunt for someone who wants to change positions or try some- thing new." For Clark, moving off the road was as simple as letting her manager know she was ready for the change. She took a position with ongoing education, and today she is part of the Training and De- velopment group within corporate safety at J.B. Hunt. Clark says it was her early years on the road, though, that helped open her eyes to the importance of driver safety. "I was terrifi ed of the truck that fi rst year," Clark says, something she attri- butes to the number of wrecks she saw while she was on the road. "And that was then," Clark says. "Challenges are much greater in today's world with cell phones and people driv- ing distracted." Those distractions make Clark appre- ciate J.B. Hunt's emphasis on safety and commitment to ongoing education even more. "Truck driving isn't an easy job," Clark says. "You need to be at a company with a solid record." Also important, Clark says, is to be at a company that values and encourages its employees. "J.B. Hunt focuses on developing the people they have on board," she says. "There are a lot of opportunities here if you want to take advantage of them." "I've really enjoyed and appreciated working at J.B. Hunt," adds Clark. "I'm happy here, and it's because of the at- mosphere and people around me." ◆ 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.com. 24 www.studentdriversplacement.com April '14 career path 0414.indd 2 3/20/14 1:50 PM