• Winners Announced in Missouri Truck Driving Championships
• Achieve Your Dream of Owning a Truck with Wil-Trans
• Owner Operator Jerry Martin Finds Success with Wil-Trans

JOPLIN - With more than 600 spectators looking on, Duane Grimme of Satsuma, Florida, a Wil-Trans independent contractor driving for Prime, Inc. of Springfield, MO, earned the distinguished title of Grand Champion in the 2007 Missouri Truck Driving Championships. By outscoring his competitors in a written examination, a pre-trip inspection, a personal interview and a truck driving obstacle course where he proved superior driving skills, he triumphed. The competition was held in Joplin, MO at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center, June 8 & 9, 2007.

Duane Grimme succeeded by placing first in the Tank Truck Class in the annual safe driving competition sponsored by the Missouri Motor Carriers Association and its Council of Safety Supervisors, which attracted 183 of the state's top truck drivers. Grimme received the Grand Trophy and the opportunity to compete in the American Trucking Association's 2007 National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis, MN on August 21 through 25, 2007, for the selection of the nation's top professional truck drivers.

Thank you, Duane, for a job well done in representing Wil-Trans and Prime, Inc.

Wil-Trans, a growing transportation company based out of Strafford, Missouri, has partnered with SelecTrucks of Springfield, Missouri and Prime, Inc. Logistics to allow more drivers to achieve their dream of truck ownership. Through this new partnership, drivers can purchase a used SelecTruck and be out on the road enjoying the satisfaction of owning a truck.

"Most drivers dream about owning their own truck, but too few see their dream become a reality. Our partnership makes it easy for drivers to own great equipment and quickly enjoy the benefits of being a true owner operator," said Mike San Paolo, Director of Recruiting.

With all the opportunities out there for contractors, a solid program must supply drivers with a solid freight base. Thanks to the partnership with Prime, Inc. Logistics, Wil-Trans contractors have access to a large refrigerated freight base with preferred freight lanes that keep you running where you want to run. You can experience life on the road as a true owner operator should and you have the chance to be as profitable as you want to be as an independent trucking business owner.

Running under Wil-Trans' authority, contractors receive the industry's highest revenue per mile and pay is verified weekly with detailed settlements. A national support network and the industry's leading fuel surcharges are also valuable benefits of working with Wil-Trans. Other benefits include a 24-7, 365 day support system and special shop rates as well as national tire pricing and nationwide fuel discounts. Hometime is guaranteed because Wil-Trans wants you to be there for your family.

For more information on this exciting opportunity, call 1-888-WIL-TRAN (1-888-945-8726) or visit our website at www.wil-trans.com. Wil-Trans can offer the assistance to make your dream of driving your own truck come true.

In 1976, Jerry Martin completed active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. Looking for a career to pursue while still in the reserves, Martin came across a classified ad for a driving school. After graduating, spending a number of years with other trucking companies and retiring from the Marines, Martin became a lease operator with Wil-Trans.

What drew him to this company? Martin is quick to mention the conventional Peterbilts and great equipment the company is known for. He also spoke to a successful Wil-Trans lease operator who had high regard for the company.

Martin doesn't regret making the switch to Wil-Trans. He says everyone he works with on a daily basis is professional and he has 100 percent support from operations and maintenance. "This company has the best group of people I've worked for. They treat you like a grown-up and expect you to know what you are doing. At the same time, they know what they are doing. It is a great working relationship for lease operators and owner operators," he says.

Martin completed three leases with Wil-Trans before becoming an owner operator. He says the lease program made it easy to get started, with no money down needed. "If you want to become an owner operator, but aren't ready to buy a truck, you can get your feet wet with this lease program. Then, you can move into the owner operator program when you are ready," says Martin.

After spending one year with Wil-Trans, Martin convinced his brother, Danny, to join the company's lease program. Due to an exclusive partnership with Wil-Trans and Peterbilt, Danny was able to purchase his own truck right away. Today, both brothers are enjoying successful careers as owner operators with Wil-Trans. Martin says he will be with the company until he can't drive anymore. He is proud to be the January 2006 Driver of the Month at Wil-Trans as well as a retired Marine flight engineer.

At home, Martin spends time with his wife of five years, Kathy. They enjoy riding his motorcycle and going out to eat. Martin is a member and former chapter director of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) and he is also a Mason.

For more information on becoming a company driver, lease driver or owner operator with Wil-Trans, call 1-888-WIL-TRAN (1-888-945-8726) or visit our website at www.wil-trans.com. Wil-Trans can offer the assistance to make your dream of driving your own truck come true. Offering stability and 100 percent support from operations and maintenance, Wil-Trans is where owner operators call home.