Cover Story

Clinton Brown
Prime, Inc.

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” says Clinton Brown, exuding a certain confidence that’s evident even over the phone.
     At 10 years old, Clinton lived for sunny weekends in Florida. With the driver’s seat drastically adjusted, his dad would let him pull loads around the pit in a dump truck on Saturdays, just father and son in the empty yard. When your dad owns a local trucking company, permission to drive around the pit at such a young age is a common concept.
     With enthusiasm still present and unwavering in Clinton’s voice, you get the feeling “love” may not be strong enough to describe his affection for life on the road. Growing up, if Clinton wasn’t in school, nine times out of 10 he was in the passenger’s seat, right next to his dad.
     Clinton knew how to drive a truck. However, Clinton’s dad wanted things done the proper way when it came to driving. So he sent Clinton to an accredited training school to get his CDL and then join him on the road. By 2000, Clinton’s CDL in hand, the Brown gentlemen advanced their operations and moved to running an over-the-road outfit.
     It was in 2004 that Clinton’s dad passed away. Clinton was well-acquainted with trucking, but he was young and still learning. “I wasn’t in a position to fully take over,” he says. “So I kind of had to start over, not wanting to leave the trucking industry.”
     Prime first caught Clinton’s eye out on the road; it was their equipment that stood out. And, it’s what stood out in Clinton’s mind while searching the Internet for a new start in trucking. He went right to Prime’s Web site and submitted an application—the only application he would fill out.
     Clinton knew he was in the perfect position to go right into a lease at Prime and be successful. He says that most loads at Prime pay even more than he got while running under his own authority. “Prime’s system is set up to work,” Clinton says. “It’s a company where you can start from nothing, and in a few years be an owner-operator making a very good living.”
     For obvious reasons, Clinton knows quite a bit about trucking. However, he says he is still learning. The people at Prime picked up right where his father’s invaluable lessons left off. Clinton learns a lot by spending time with his fleet manager, Rick Crawford, to better understand how things work on that side of the business.
     Clinton has come a long way since his 10-year-old legs were barely able to reach the pedals of his dad’s dump truck. He is heartfelt and earnest when he talks about how his father laid a very firm foundation for his future success. Today, it is Prime who is helping him build an unimagined success on top of his father’s groundwork. “Let Prime show you the way, and you will be profitable.” You can bet Clinton’s referring to more than just the money.
     The staff of Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines would like to wish Clinton continued success with Prime. If you’d like to learn more about the opportunities at Prime, call (877) 491-1109, visit their Web site at www.primeinc.com or see their ad on page 23 of this issue.