Exemplifying Leadership

Brad Barrow’s, WVL Terminal Operations Supervisor, helpful demeanor and passion for the job continues to impress me. Just a week or two ago, I delivered two trailers of freight and found no empties in the yard. I went onto the dock and asked Brad, who was quite busy bailing trailers and loading routes, if he had any available. His response was “No, but that doesn’t matter, you need a couple.” And without hesitation he ceased his own agenda, found two trailers that were the least full and pulled the rest of the freight out so I could get back on the road.

Let me say, from experience with Oak Harbor, I do know what it is like to run the dock. You are extremely busy and behind the eight-ball from the moment you open doors until the last driver is dispatched on the road. Minutes matter. The fact that he prioritized my need immediately was selfless and sensitive. While these situations were specific to my own personal experience, I have no doubt everyone he encounters are subjected to the same proficient and prepared manner.

Oak Harbor Freight Lines is a business name. It is the people who comprise the company. Employees like Brad are making this organization a better place to work as it pertains to a positive, progressive culture and streamlined, business efficiency. It moves the somewhat blue-collar nature of our work up a couple rungs to a realm of true professionalism.

Working with and around people of that caliber takes my line-haul job from being “just” a truck driver to becoming a Material Logistics and Commodity Relocation Specialist.

Contributed by: Donald Brock, OLY Linehaul