William G. Rode (Bill)

2 years in the U.S. Army Engineers in Germany; 12 years in the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho; 42 years in the trucking industry over the road interstate and some construction.

Have sold out...semi-retired

I work off and on for local companies.

My wife, Mary of 50 years; and our children and grandchildren

There seems to be a new story or two every day, good and bad. I enjoy the ones about the good things truckers do for one another, and the public in general.

The fact that trucking is what keeps the world going, and being a driver you can understand this better than anyone else.

Excessive paper work and taxes, caused by too much government regulation. The laws that govern the industry not being uniform throughout the 48 (50) states.

I always tried to present myself as a business person, and be honest with the people I do business with. Treat everyone as ladies and gentlemen until they prove otherwise.

When I bought my first truck in 1979 I knew the owner operators needed some help and representation, so I looked for an association that had an agenda for the owner operator and the leadership to follow it through, not just take the o/o for a ride and then take the funds and run. In the past 20+ years I know I made the right choice when I joined OOIDA.

As an OOIDA board member I hope the association has been able to help you benefit by being in the trucking industry. If you are not a member, why not?