MEMBER SPOTLIGHT GaryDavie Flatbed Express Inc. and Omaha Truck & Trailer Inc.


• ABOUT YOU... Born In Council Bluffs. Married for almost 30 years to Mary Davie. Co-own, Flatbed Express Inc. and Omaha Truck & Trailer located in Bellevue, Neb. Four children; James, 28, and Dusty both work at the business. Luke is 17 and a junior in high school. Sissy is 13 and attends a virtual school.


Hometown: Plattsmouth, Neb.


What is your dream car? Not really into cars. Maybe a collectible Corvette — probably would get a ticket so maybe not.


What do you tend to splurge on? Husker Football, not a born Nebraskan but definitely have the fever.


What is the last thing you Googled? Don’t use the computer — had someone look up farm equipment or log me in to the Taylor & Martin sale.


What fictional character do you most relate to? Can’t say I have thought much about that, a lot of life to live and fiction hasn’t been a part of it. Lotta reality.


Who would you most like to meet? Hoping I get to meet God & Jesus someday, not too soon but when the time comes.


What’s your favorite gadget? Te mandolin in the kitchen to slice cucumbers…


What were you totally into as a teenager? AG and auctioneering


What’s your dream vacation? Don’t spend much time planning to do anything but work. Being healthy to get up each and everyday and being able to go to work is better than any vacation.


Your favorite food? My wife’s fried chicken Your adult beverage of choice? Red beer


A talent you have that not many know about? Auctioneering, I can keep pace and sell with the best of them.


Last book you read? My wife and employees say I couldn’t sit still long enough to read one.


26 • YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE...


Current title: Co-owner of Flatbed Express Inc. and Omaha Truck & Trailer, President Davie Farms


How did you get into the business? Used to auction two livestock sales a week and it was a natural fit for Omaha Truck & Trailer when a few banks would ask me to appraise equipment and then they would ask guidance on what was an effective outlet if they needed to market the equipment. We also grew our specialty hauling company and would typically be cycling equipment in and out. When my daughter, Sissy, became really active in barrel racing, I told her she could have a new trailer if she and her Mom could make it a business measure. We then took on a line of horse trailers with living quarters about three years ago. Plus they were running into people who wanted to consign used equipment.


What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Never be afraid of work and surround yourself with good people!


What is the biggest challenge currently facing the trucking industry? Drivers and getting more of the youth looking into the needs for certain skills within the industry.


What changes have you seen in the industry in the past decade and how have you had to adapt? So many between the engines and driver shortages and basic cost of operation. Te last decade with the downturn of the economy, increase in cost of doing business and then the difficulty in locating drivers with enough training. We have expanded our interests to have more products in the shop between the wheel polishing machine, PDI and other work. So much government regulation.


What does the Nebraska Trucking Association do best to help your business? Keeps me abreast of changes timely allowing me to work towards adapting to the flow of the waters so to speak. Tey also are on top of legislation that will


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affect me either directly or help me oppose legislation that would be a big hindrance.


• YOUR COMPANY... Omaha Truck & Trailer Inc. has been around since 1993 and Flatbed Express Inc. since 1989. Prior to that I was auctioning and doing a bit of livestock transportation and order buying.


How long has it been in operation? 20 years for the dealership and 24 for the trucking company.


How many employees? 13 mechanics, 4 in the office and 64 drivers on the trucking side


What are the challenges facing your business today? Finding great drivers and a younger group of labor to get into this fast paced industry.


What assets set your company apart from your competition? We are diversified, we like our ability to change to the clients’ needs in addition to maintaining the personal touch. People still prefer to do business with someone they know.


Where do you see growth coming from in the future? Infrastructure and the changes within adding services we offer to maximize our growth potential. Leaving no stone unturned.


What is the most important service your company provides to fill a need in trucking? We are a specialized carrier that means we have specific heavy haul pieces to accommodate the customers needs. We have a job coming up that is going to require very specific trucks, trailers and, yes, drivers. We have cultivated a team of professionals that bring the expertise to making this job blossom. In the shop we do a wide range of services from routine maintenance, wheel polishing, PDI for ECM growth potential to major overhauls. Nt


NEBRASKA TRUCKER — ISSUE 1, 2014 — www.nebtrucking.com


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