​CalArk would like to congratulate Robert Hayes on his recent 20 Years of Service Award. Robert is from Centralia, Illinois, where he lives with his wife Ann of 25 years. When Robert isn’t driving, he likes to ride his Yamaha V-Star 1300 or watch Elvis and John Wayne movies. He is also a fan of the show Sons of Anarchy and is looking forward to the spinoff Mayans coming to FX next month. He likes to listen to music and his favorite genres are country and oldies. 

Prior to CalArk, Robert spent 10 years bouncing around with other trucking companies looking for a home. He credits his baby brother for getting him into the trucking industry, and his wife for his choice to stick it out with CalArk, where he also likes the great equipment and people like his driver manager, Donna Thompson. Robert says it is important to have a driver manager who understands him and knows and respects how he runs. 

Before trucking, Robert was in the army from 1972-1978 where he did a "little bit of everything." Robert missed Vietnam by just three months. He was stationed in Germany for 2 years before he returned to the States and was stationed in Chicago. During his tenure in the army, he worked as a typist, in a warehouse, and in a medical unit as a clerk. In addition to his army and trucking experience, Robert also worked in gas stations, in warehouses, and was once a meat cutter. 

Robert loves that trucking has allowed him to see all 48 states and plans on driving a truck as long as his health allows. Robert encourages new drivers to always "be calm, don’t get excited, and just do your job."
 
We thank you, Robert, for your service to our country and for your service to CalArk. It is committed and dedicated drivers like you who keep the wheels of American Business rolling. 

A driver since 1984, Gary Cooper has been with CalArk since 2003. He attributes his success and longevity with one company to his "think with a career attitude" philosophy. He is on Michelle Finn's board but says he has always been taken care of while at CalArk, no matter who his driver manager is.

He's lived his entire life and raised his four kids and soon-to-be-nine grandkids in Waco, Texas. When Gary is not driving, he likes to eat at Golden Corral, relax, and read. Leslie Stout, Director of Safety, says Gary reads so much he can tell you interesting information about any topic you choose. Some of his favorite stories to tell include the time he saw John F. Kennedy in person in 1960 or when he got to see Mickey Mantle play baseball with the Yankees.

Gary also enjoys following his favorite teams: the Houston Astros, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Dallas Mavericks. Gary is proud to have served in the Marine Corp Reserves for 14 years and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1988. He says he would go back to the Marines if they called because he would do anything to help his country. 

In addition to celebrating 1.75 Million Miles with CalArk, he has received many other awards over the years, including 100-900 thousand mile awards, a 1 Million Mile Award, 100% On Time Delivery, a 5 Year Service Award, a 10 Year Service Award, a 1.25 Million Mile Award, and a 1.5 Million Mile Award. 

When asked what he would say to drivers entering the industry, Gary replied, "It's best to stay with one company. Play the long game." We are certainly glad Gary chose to stay with CalArk, where we are proud of his service to our country and of his 1.75 million miles. Congratulations and job well done, Gary. Here's to many more!