In this month’s Overdrive issue, I highlighted the resilience of Boyd Bros.-leased owner-operator Dan Heister (featured in the image), who has excelled in the short to medium haul sector through Boyd’s self-dispatch and percentage-pay Independent Express program. His ability to navigate through the challenging times of 2008 has led to increased success this year. Recently, he acquired a small farm in Erin, Tennessee, where he will relocate his family later this year. Notably, Heister has been named Overdrive’s 2011 Trucker of the Year, and if you’re a regular reader, you probably saw his story — it’s hard to overlook his 2003 International with a flatbed trailer on the cover.
Interestingly, one detail not included in the article is that Dan’s grandfather, Bill Baker, was also a long-haul truck driver. Dan shared, “He used to transport cars across the country in the 1950s,” long before my time. I’ve seen some photos of his truck — a massive vehicle. By the time I remember him, he was operating a service station.”
The Heister family cherishes old photographs of GrandPa Bill alongside his car hauler, and Tawn believes that Bill Baker significantly influenced Dan’s strong work ethic, which has played a crucial role in his achievements. Tawn remarked, “He instilled a strong work ethic in Dan. Bill was a respected figure, and Dan learned crucial lessons from him about keeping promises and fulfilling responsibilities.”
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Additionally, I conducted a video interview with Heister, where he offers viewers a brief journey through his trucking experiences and showcases his impressive collection of late-60s and early-70s Ford cars parked at his home in Erin, Tennessee. I spent a day with Dan and his son, Jake, in December filming this video. You can view it below, followed by a gallery of photos featuring Dan, his son Jake, and Dan’s International truck.
Check out the digital edition of the February Overdrive cover story.
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