Pub2 2021 Issue1

KyTrucking.net 15 and Mary would call Frankfort home. That left a big question: “What about Mary’s career?” Mary was a very successful professional, and had been in the OD/ OW permit business for over 20 years. There were no permit services in Kentucky, and in 2001 no one had even considered working remotely. The answer seemed simple; “Let’s start our Permit Service.” Of course, it was anything but simple. There were many long days, long nights and challenges. On more than one occasion, they both thought: “What in the world have we done?” However, Jim and Mary survived their first year and soon were major players in providing OD/ OW permit services to specialized carriers located throughout the United States. Permit America’s current volume is approximately 100,000 permits per year. One of Jim and Mary’s first decisions after forming Permit America was to join the Kentucky Trucking Association (KTA). Mary and Jim said that “Membership in KTA has been instrumental in our success.” KTA had the experience and expertise to help Permit America navigate the ever-increasing level of regulations in the transportation industry. Mary and Jim soon found out that KTA members and their leadership were knowledgeable about Kentucky transportation issues and had valuable knowledge and advice about regional and national transportation concerns. Rick Taylor (KTA President and CEO) and Jim have been friends for years and started work at the KYTC at approximately the same time (1996). Rick was the director of Motor Carriers, and Jim was working in Highways doing bridge analysis. They often collaborated on routing and authorizing SuperLoad moves through Kentucky. Some of these loads were over 200’ long and weighed over 500,000 pounds. Rick was instrumental in many specialized carrier initiatives, including being one of the first states in the country to authorize nighttime moves for OD/OW loads. This close collaboration between the government and the specialized carrier industry has benefited all, Permit America included. Other individuals who have impacted Jim’s career include Mike Hancock (Deputy Secretary and former KYTC Secretary). Mike mentored Jim during his second year of the Advanced Leadership Academy at continued on page 16