feel in it Atlanta, Charlotte, feel the ripple effects through the system, so it was critical we were on top of our game and processed our freight efficiently and claim-free and maximized space on the trailers.” In the late 1990s, John Ross was back
closer to home, overseeing the terminal in Jackson, then managing the region and traveling the entire system. He became company president in 2003. With the sale to HCI, he said, “I’m not as involved in the day to day as I was before, but I’m involved in much of what’s going on, associated closely with management and in an advisory or consultant-type role.” He especially tries to stay in regular
contact with Milan’s drivers. “I try to be accessible to them, to hear what they’re say- ing and what’s going on with them. Without our drivers we’re not going to be a success and not going to have a strong company.” Tommy Ross still visits the office two
or three days a week, his son said. “He has his routine, but he’s slowed down. Trucking is all he’s done since he was 17, other than a stint in the Marine Corp. during the Korean War. It’s all he’s known. He’ll do it until he takes his last breath.” Tommy Ross, a native of Saltillo, Tenn.,
near the Mississippi state line, worked for two trucking firms, both long gone now, before starting Milan Express, working as a billing clerk, then in customer service, before moving into management. His super- visory roles meant he was moved around from Nashville to Jackson, Miss., and eventual to Milan, where his company had a terminal. Though he eventually moved again before asking to be transferred back, the town had struck a chord with Ross and his wife, Thelma, as a nice place to raise their burgeoning family, which grew to three girls and the baby, John. “He rolled the dice and put everything
he had on the line to start this company,” his son said. “And it was a success.” John’s three older sisters (there’s a
10-year difference between the oldest and John) all helped at the company before leaving to start their own families. Their husbands also would be involved in differ- ent aspects, John Ross said. He’s got two sons of his own, 19 and
14, among Tommy Ross’ 11 grandchildren, but John is not sure if they will work in the industry; the oldest has learned to drive a truck around the yard but is studying engineering in college. John Ross, though,
says he’s glad he chose a trucking career working at the company started by his fa- ther, who never pushed his children to stay in the business. “When you’re growing up in it you kind
of take it for granted,” he said. “My dad grew the company with sheer hard work and faith in God and trying to surround himself with good, honest, caring people who cared about people as much as they cared about business. That’s what made Milan Express a success. It’s about family, the Milan family.” While HCI owns most of the company
today, the focus is still on keeping the close-knit feel. “When we started talking to HCI, they
made it real clear they are not wanting to change our culture,” Ross said. “They wanted what had made us successful. They just wanted to help enhance it, expand relationships with bankers, financing and development. We have some abilities to look at some things differently and look at it better than we did before. They look at themselves as advisers helping us to realize our potential and not get away from the touchy-feely things that make us a family company.” TTN
Q3 2015
TENNESSEE TRUCKING NEWS
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