Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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COVER STORY | CAREER LEADERSHIP AWARD commercial carrier journal | march 2018 57 what a technician does or means to a company anymore. Moms and dads think technicians are grease monkeys and that it's a nasty job, and that's not the case. "There's a huge future in transpor- tation, and there's a huge need for technicians," he adds. "Mike [Jeffress] told me a long time ago that one day that techs will be making as much money as doctors make, and I believe that." Hilton has focused much of his efforts with the Arkansas Trucking Association on educating the families of local school-aged children about the potential for technicians enter- ing the market and helping the local trade schools build programs that can support the trucking industry. "They go out and visit the schools and evaluate their programs," he says of the state association. "They're providing feedback to these technical schools that we feel the techs need to be trained on. We see a huge need to have the schools update their equipment." GOLFING WITH 'PA-PAW' It's funny how life comes full circle. If you're looking for Hilton today and can't find him at Maverick, you'd be well-served to look in just a handful of places: the Ouachita River, the woods hunting for deer, or the golf course with any of his 11 grandchildren whacking the ball around with their "Pa-Paw." But if you can't fi nd him with a wrench, rod and reel, rifl e or putter in-hand, try checking the garden. Hilton may come home with greasy hands from time to time, but he's got a green thumb. He even bred his own species of rose by intertwining the roots of a pink and peach rose. "It's kind of like technicians and people," Hilton says of his love for gardening. "I like watching things grow and mature. I think that's some- thing that inspires me. I fertilize those things, I weed them, and I feed them. I've always gotten a lot out of seeing positive results." Much of the professional success Jeffress sees Hilton enjoying stems from Hilton's own delight in develop- ing people. "He accomplished all that because he never forgot where he came from," Jeffress says. "He was a tech once before, and he needed that leader- ship, and he received it. And now he's providing it." "I'm really proud of … where he's come from and what he's done," adds Ann Hilton. "He's worked his butt off. He's gone the extra mile." There's been no shortcuts through all those extra miles, and with the benefi t of hindsight, Brent Hilton says that's just fi ne with him. "I wouldn't do anything different," he says of his 36-year career. "I haven't got anything to complain about. I wouldn't change anything." ABOUT THE CAREER LEADERSHIP AWARD Commercial Carrier Journal and Brent Hilton thank ExxonMobil, Minimizer and TA Truck Service for their support of the Technology & Maintenance Ca- reer Leadership Award program. Hilton is the 42nd person to receive CCJ's top honor for lifetime achievement in eet maintenance. Safeway Stores' E. Clair Hill was the rst to be so honored in 1977. CCJ's Technology and Maintenance Career Leadership Award honors a career of dedication to professionalism and excellence in eet maintenance. Industry involvement, recognitions and awards and reputation among peers gure into the selection. Individuals who made signi cant contributions to the industry while directly engaged in truck eet management are eligible even if they no longer work for a eet operation. CCJ welcomes nominations for the 2019 Career Leadership Award. Contact Je Crissey at jcrissey@ccjmagazine.com. If you're looking for Hilton today and can't fi nd him at Maverick, you'd be well-served to try fi nding him fi shing on the river, in the woods hunting for deer or at the golf course.