Cover Story

Steve Hester—FFE Transportation Services, Inc.

Steve Hester started driving professionally back in 1978, when “Star Wars” was first released and disco ruled the radio dial. He had been driving for a national moving company that offered him a chance to buy one of their trucks and lease on as an owner-operator. “They did a good job of selling me a truck, but a lousy job of helping me make a living with it,” Steve remembers.

The young man got rid of the truck and became a company driver. The work suited him, and professional driving became his career. During the years that followed, he earned valuable experience and racked up countless safe driving miles before hooking up with FFE Transportation Services, Inc., in January of 2004.

“I was ready to own another truck, and FFE had the lease purchase program I was looking for,” says Steve. “I got in with only $2,200 down and affordable monthly payments. Even better, they give me the freight I need to earn a great income. I hear drivers at other companies complain about not making money, but I don’t have that problem at FFE.”

Steve runs a dedicated route that stretches from an area near his home in southern California to the Midwest and back. He generally stays out for eleven days before returning to the house for two to three days of rest and relaxation.

Life at FFE has been good for Steve, and things just got a lot better. He is the lucky winner of a company drawing that put him behind the wheel of a beautiful, owner-operator spec’d Freightliner Century-Class tractor.

The truck is one that any owner-operator would proudly own. It sports an array of custom features, including a full set of gauges and an upgraded interior and optimized idle system. “I couldn’t believe my good fortune,” says Steve. “FFE put my name in the hat when I signed up for the lease purchase program, but I didn’t pay too much attention at the time. I didn’t think I had a ghost of a chance. I’m 50, and I had never won anything in my life…not even a pack of gum!

“It was a nice thing to do, but then FFE has always done right by me,” continues Steve. “So many people there have bent over backwards to help out, and that means a lot out there on the road. I’d heartily recommend them to anyone who is ready to work with friendly people and earn good money.”

So what keeps him going after all of these years? “I just like being out on my own,” he says. “I couldn’t stand being cooped up all day. The freedom…the scenery…it’s all there for me. Driving professionally is the easiest job you could ever have, in some respects.”

When he’s not running hard for FFE, Steve enjoys camping and dining out. He cares for his mother, Betty, who has been supportive of his active career.

The staff of Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines would like to wish Steve continued success with FFE Transportation Systems. For more information on lease purchase, owner operator and company driver opportunities available at the company, see their ad on pages 31 and 91 of this issue.