Independent Contractors Honored

TRENTON, NJ… A meeting for Truckers Integral to Our Economy (TIE) was held at PGT Trucking’s Trenton, New Jersey terminal this past August 19th.  Among those attending were Industry Stakeholders, Independent Contractors, and New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a pro-trucking candidate.

Discussions centered around the need to preserve the Independent Contractor business model. During the meeting the group recognized several deserving Independent Contractors for their outstanding service. Honored were:

•Bobby Arnold – Bobby works out of PGT’s Baltimore, Maryland Terminal.  He began his career in 1991 delivering to NYC five nights a week.  Bobby bought his own truck in 2013.  He did dry van and reefer work before converting to flatbed and leasing to PGT Trucking in 2018.  Bobby has maintained a perfect driving record and an amazing 0 CSA points for the past 10 years.  He often runs high profile dedicated accounts for PGT, hauling concrete, wallboard, and mulch loads.  Bobby was recognized by PGT as a 5 year safe driver in the PGT fleet.

•Kent Miller – Kent has been an Owner-Operator for 29 years.  He was a local P&D driver in the Johnstown-Pittsburgh area until going over-the-road in 1990, hauling automotive parts between Detroit, Michigan and Baltimore, Maryland.  Kent switched to flatbed in 1992, hauling steel east of the Mississippi. He became an Owner-Operator in 1995 and leased to PGT Trucking in 2015.  Kent runs predominately between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  PGT recognized Kent as an 8 year safe driver in their fleet.

•Jessy Diaz Hernandez – Jessy joined the trucking industry four years ago and purchased his own truck three years ago.  Jessy is proud of the success he has had owning his own business.  In 2023 he leased to Liedtka Logistics, where he hauls steel beams and oversized loads in New York City.

•Jorge Suarez – Jorge has been an Independent Contractor for 8 years, leasing to ARL Network 7 years ago.  Jorge has several family members who are Professional Truck Drivers and Independent Contractors, which motivated him to start his own trucking business.

•Enrique Penafiel – Enrique began his trucking career as a switcher/yard house driver and worked his way up to becoming an Owner-Operator.  He has been an Independent Contractor for 11 years and has been leased to ARL Network for the past 8 years.