6 Kentucky Trucker The Kentucky Trucker Association had the chance to sit down with Shad Daubard, the new chairman, to learn more about him, his experience in the trucking industry, and his goals for the future of the association. We’re excited to have him on board, and we hope you enjoy our discussion as much as we did. How did you fall into the trucking industry? Well, a good friend at IMI, a ready-mix concrete company, recommended me for a dispatch position for the Louisville market. I was fortunate enough to be hired, and from there, I have been blessed to grow my career in many areas of the concrete and logistics business. Did you always want to work in trucking? Any family members in the industry with you? I never had any specific intention of working in the trucking industry. My previous background was in automotive service management. It was just by chance that I was looking for a change and a friend that was working at IMI recommended me. While I was unsure of a new direction in my career, after 26-plus years, all I can say is it has been an awesome ride. I have always believed that God will always place you where he needs you. While every day is not What has been the most rewarding part of your career? I think of the famous Truman quote, “It's amazing what you can accomplish when you do not care who gets the credit.” It always amazes me how strong a team is when you put together folks with similar goals. I tell my guys we are in this together. We are together more waking hours than they are with their own families, which in itself is somewhat sad, but that is the trucking business. Having fellow workers that get it, being a team, and working as a team is truly rewarding and sure makes the day go by with a little less worry. The people I work with are my daily reward. What do you think will be some of the more dominant trends in trucking in the next five to 10 years? Workforce development of the younger generations will be more prominent with the need for drivers as the industry continues to struggle with a retiring workforce and increased demand. With technology coming into its own, it will be the development of the younger generation that will bring it mainstream. Drivers, technicians, and office staff that understand and utilize the benefits of the new software and equipment coming out will be vital. rainbows and waterfalls, I never wake up regretting going to work and facing the daily challenges the transportation industry regularly hands out. What is your educational background? What did you study? The school of hard knocks and hard work is definitely what I would consider my base of education. Early on, I attended the University of Louisville, and later in my career, I finished my degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Did anyone specifically impact your career? Any specific mentor or mentors? What did they teach you? I would have to say if any one person impacted my career, it would be Earl Kessler. He knew more about the concrete industry than most people would learn during their career. Earl was my VP of Operations, and I spent many days debating that what looks good on paper does not work that well in the real world. No matter the topic of the debate, Earl would always go back to the numbers and typically prove that the numbers don’t lie no matter how many of us felt they were wrong. Because of those conversations, I feel it has made me a better leader in many aspects of our business. Meet Your New Chairman SHAD DAUBARD
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