Father & Son Duo Make Fresh Starts with Roehl

Earlier this year, Target Media Partners, publishers of several trucking industry magazines, featured a two Roehl drivers. This is the article they printed.

Father & Son Duo make fresh starts with Roehl Transport

For many, professional driving can be a fulfilling career and for Tracy and Loren Needham of Oswego, Ill., it’s even more than that — it’s also a family affair. The father and son pair may have each come to their decision to change careers on their own, but today, they are both proud to drive for the same company - Roehl Transport.

Tracy Needham, 49, started driving in the fall of 2015. After a lengthy career as a purchaser in the electronics industry, he wanted to try his hand at something completely different. The large demand for drivers is what initially drew him to trucking.

“In a lot of ways, the trucking industry needs me as a driver more than I need them,” explains Tracy Needham. “It felt good to be going into a career where I actually felt needed and wanted. I haven’t regretted my decision to drive for a second.” 

He chose Roehl for its top safety record and reputation for getting drivers their promised home time. After hearing more about his father’s experiences with trucking, Tracy’s son Loren, 25, was intrigued enough to make the switch himself.

“Not only did truck driving sound like a solid career, but I saw that it could give me the ability to see parts of the United States I might not get to see otherwise,” says Loren Needham. “Roehl gave me on-the-job training and I was able to learn the ropes quickly. I’ve only been driving with them for three months and already I’ve made it out to California, Oregon and New York - all places I’ve never been before.”

Although the two work for the same company, they run two very different routes. Loren Needham runs on Roehl’s Curtainside National fleet while his father has a dedicated regional route.

“We actually don’t see each other often,” Tracy Needham adds. “It only happens occasionally when Loren is passing through my main corridor. But when we’re able to connect in person, it’s pretty cool to say I’m doing this with my son.”

Roehl offers its drivers top pay and home time across its many fleet options, including flatbed, refrigerated, curtainside, dry van and dedicated routes. Drivers also enjoy a substantial number of advantages including a comprehensive benefits package, multiple insurance options, company profit sharing, rider policy, bonus opportunities, and paid vacation.

Today, Roehl Transport is one of the largest trucking companies in the nation with over 1,900 tractors and 5,200 trailers. Roehl is consistently listed on the Transport Topics top 100 list as well as in the CCJ Top 250. The company is approaching $500 million in revenue per year and its customers include some of the most prestigious brand names in America.

To learn more about the driving opportunities at Roehl Transport, visit Roehl.jobs or call 715-591-7050.