Cover Story

Tim Dean - Werner Enterprises

As a 20-year truck-driving veteran, Tim Dean knows what it takes to succeed in this demanding career. Since 1989, he has been living his childhood dream as a professional truck driver for Werner Enterprises. Recently, he achieved another dream when he was selected as one of the 18 captains for the 2009-2010 American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) America’s Road Team.
     “Becoming one of the America’s Road Team captains is truly an honor,” Dean says. “It took a lot of motivation and hard work to get here. I don’t think I would have made it if I wasn’t committed to our great industry and driving as safely as possible.”
     As a 2.5 million mile driver, two-time winner of the Nebraska State Truck Driving Competition, recipient of numerous company safety awards and a Werner Road Team driver, Dean has been preparing for the road team virtually his entire career.
     Throughout his career, Dean has been focused on being the best driver he can be. “I made sure I concentrated as hard as I could and listened as carefully as I could during training programs from Werner Enterprises’ staff and trainers,” Dean says.
     One of the most important parts in preparing for America’s Road Team is being a safe driver, something Dean is no stranger to. As a former trainer, he continues to help his fellow drivers be successful by reiterating the need for safe driving.
     “With increasing levels of traffic on the nation's roads, it is more important than ever to promote safety awareness with the public and professional drivers,” he says. “You can’t take any shortcuts for safety.”
     Soon, Dean will be reiterating that message to more than just his fellow drivers at Werner Enterprises. As an America’s Road Team captain, Dean will spend the next two years traveling across the country, speaking on behalf of the trucking industry about transportation and safety issues to the community, news media and public officials, in addition to maintaining his job at Werner.
     “I am so proud to be a captain of America’s Road Team,” Dean says. “I have always been passionate about helping others. Now I can really make an impact and hopefully save a few lives.”
     In addition to saving lives, Dean really hopes to be able to help others have a more positive image of truck drivers and the transportation industry. One of his core duties as a road team captain will be to educate the public about the impact the transportation industry makes on their lives.
     “Most people have no idea about our industry or what we really do,” he says. “Our industry is so great and we do so much for the economy. People really need to know that.”
     Dean credits his motivation to become a part of the America’s Road Team to the support staff and programs at Werner Enterprises and his family.
     “My family kept me motivated to becoming a road team captain,” says Dean. “They kept me wanting it more and more. Just the thought of making them proud kept me focused on doing my best, just like when I am on the road.  I have to drive safely so I can make it home to my family.”
     The staff of Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines would like to wish Tim Dean continued success with Werner Enterprises. If you would like to learn more about the driving opportunities available now at Werner, give one of their recruiters a call at 877-254-1672, visit their Web site at drivewerner.com or see their ad on page 13 of this issue.