“The family atmosphere here at PAM is very visible. You are not just a number here, and each and every one is treated as a brother and sister. If you work with them then they will work with you, and that means a lot,”
Dedication, Loyalty, Legacy
The Hallmark of Difference Makers
By Daryl Chappell
Tenure, by definition, usually means the longevity someone or something has been in office. Here at PAM Transport we see tenure not only as longevity but as dedication. PAM Transport is full of drivers and office employees alike with extensive work tenure and dedication.
Recently, we sat down with four PAM employees who have been with PAM for a number of years. Along with time comes changes and each of these individuals have created memories here at PAM.
Mager League
Randy Magers began his career with Choctaw in 1994. An ad in the paper is all it took for him to come to the Irving terminal and apply for a driving job. Prior to Magers’ driving career, he obtained his master’s degree and taught agriculture at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.
Magers recalls his first day of driving: he flunked his test after he missed a gear. He chuckles at this now in light of his over one million accident free miles.
Magers has seen many changes since he began with PAM. When he was hired, he began with Choctaw, whom PAM acquired and merged under the name PAM. According to Magers, the transition went smoothly and he didn’t notice any major changes in his daily routine.
When asked what has kept him here so long and why PAM is the employer for him, he made it very clear that PAM works with his needs. He stated multiple times, “If you work with them then they will bend over backwards for you. They have always gotten me home on time and have lanes that fit my needs.”
After speaking with Magers, the factor that he harped on the most was the importance of finding a lane that fits your needs. “Everyone has a life to live and needs to fulfill, and PAM has lanes that will work for you.” Magers said.
Oxley Clean
Sharon Oxley began her career with Choctaw in January of 1999 and has not looked back since. Before the internet was prevalent and accessible to everyone, newspapers were the way people looked for jobs. Sharon, like Randy, answered an ad in the Oklahoma city newspaper. The ad stated that Choctaw was in search of a driver for a dedicated lane out of Oklahoma City and would be home every weekend. After answering the ad, Oxley began her, now 18 year, career here at PAM.
Since she has been with the company, she has experienced changes like when Choctaw was taken over by PAM. According to Oxley, “I never really noticed anything different as far as my day to day duties. The transition went smoothly and it was like nothing ever happened.” The most significant of the changes was when the shop in Oklahoma City closed.
Oxley mentioned that she was very pleased with how the transitions took place. Her dispatcher stayed the same and life really continued on. Of course, with anyone being here for so many years, the number one question is: what has kept you here so long? For her, weekends at home are what kept her with PAM for so long. Oxley said, “When you find a lane that works for you, keep it.”
Trucking is a life out on the road, and you have to understand that going into it. But if you find something that works for you then it makes things much easier.” Sharon is excited about her future with PAM and says great things are happening here. Mrs. Oxley’s ultimate goal is to retire in the next few years.
We are so proud of all of the work she has done and continues to do here at PAM. Her smile is contagious and a real pleasure to work with.
The Hedrick Factor
Curtis Hedrick started his journey with Choctaw in June of 1998. Hedrick was hired on as a dispatcher and was promoted to operations manager within six months. Ultimately, he would go on to be the terminal manager at the Irving yard.
Like Magers and Oxley, Hedrick has seen many changes over the years. “The transition from Choctaw to PAM went smoothly and headache free,” said Hedrick.
When I asked what has kept him here all these years, one word summed it up: Family. “The family atmosphere here at PAM is very visible. You are not just a number here, and each and every one is treated as a brother and sister. If you work with them then they will work with you, and that means a lot,”
Hedrick explained, “As far as what I am most excited about, that’s seeing the growth and potential that everyone at PAM transport has. This is a company that wants to grow with its people, not just grow.” Growth is what keeps companies in business and doing it together is what it is all about.
In the last 18 years with PAM, Curtis Hedrick has seen a lot. The Tornado of 1999 was the first thing that popped in his mind when asked about memories here at PAM.
The EF5 tornado demolished the Oklahoma city terminal, taking tractors and trailers with it. One tractor was reported to have been picked up and thrown, landing 1/8th of a mile away. It took a year to rebuild the terminal, but Choctaw came back and that is what it is all about. Coming back together as one, for one cause, and getting the job done. That is how you grow.
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