How to Get a Building in the Trucking Industry Named After You

John Wesley “J.W.” Jackson is the longest running driver at Bennett.

John Wesley “J.W.” Jackson sits down in the break room in Bennett’s operations building just as dispatcher Christy Parker comes in and tells him she has two loads for him to choose between – a bull dozer and an airplane motor.

“Hmmm,” he says staring off for a moment.

“You don’t have to commit right now,” she says. “Just let me know.” He nods as she leaves the room, still thinking about the two options.

“I like the airplane motor, but I’ll have to do a lot of tarping,” says the 74-year-old owner operator. “I’m too old to be climbing up one of these things. Afraid I’d crack my bones. I think I’m gonna go with the bull dozer.”

Owner Operator in it for the Long Haul

Want to get a building named after you? If you stick around long enough to become a living relic for an organization, someone might see fit to do just that! J.W. started driving for Bennett in 1959 and is the longest running driver with the company.

CEO Marcia Taylor named Bennett’s driver lounge after J.W. for his more than 50 years of service. The lounge is really nice, too. Drivers have two full baths with showers, a kitchen and dining area, comfortable sitting area, washer dryer, workstations with a printer, and a large television. Check out the video below.

Back in 1974 when Mrs. Taylor and her late husband J.D. Garrison acquired George Bennett Motor Express, the original owner highly recommended the couple keep J.W.

“They were told to stick with me because I would hang on for the long haul,” J.W. says  “Mr. George Bennett told them this is the one that’ll be with you through thick and thin.”

One of the Best Trucking Companies

J.W. says he’s lasted this long because he likes how he is treated at Bennett. To him, Bennett is one of the best trucking companies, as well as a trucking company that cares.

“They treat me like a person, not a number,” he says. “They call you by your name. They ask you if you want to do something. They don’t tell you that you have to do it.” J.W. has Mrs. Taylor in his cell phone as “Mom”.  “That’s what I call her,” he says. “I never asked Mrs. Taylor or David (Lowry) for help and didn’t get it.”

J.W. could retire, but he likes to be out in the open. “I love to see the country and how it changes from day to day,” he says. “I will keep driving until the good Lord calls me. Of course, there are some loads I can’t handle anymore, but as long as my health is good, I want to keep driving.”

J.W. lives in Georgia with his wife Calundra. He has three grown children, 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

If you’re looking to make the change and drive for Bennett, or if you’d just like more information, visit drive4bme.com, or contact one of our recruiters at 888-712-3036!