Domicile: Meridian, MS
Years with Roadway: 33
Years in Trans. Industry: 42
Spouse: Joyce (Married 43 years)
Children: I have two sons, a daughter, and three granddaughters. My son, Wesley, married to Rene, is a corporate pilot in Laurel, MS. He is a Captain in the MS Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My son, Robert, an Executive Chef, has written and published Caribbean Cuisine, a cookbook-travel guide. He is married to Leslie. They have a daughter, Hannah. My daughter, Karen Lewis, is the City of Meridian, MS's web designer. She is married to Michael. They have two daughters: Alanna and Mallory.
Hobbies: I am an avid history buff and amateur genealogist. I've traced my ancestry to Northern Ireland. My Pickens ancestors landed in Colonial America at Philadelphia, PA and migrated down the Shenandoah Valley to South Carolina. My great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Israel Pickens, was at the Battle of Cowpens with his cousin Gen. Andrew Pickens during the Revolutionary War.
Safety Achievements: I drove for REA Express for 9 years and had approximately 500,000 accident-free miles. I have now driven 4 million accident-free miles with Roadway.
Why did you choose to be a truck driver?
From the first time that I rode with my grandfather in a 1946 Studebaker truck, I knew that I wanted to be a truck driver. My great-grandfather was a teamster who drove a team of horses to the railroad depot and returned with a wagon load of freight for their local community store. I have three uncles who were truck drivers. So I guess you could say freight hauling is in my blood.
What do you like best about being a driver?
I have met many people during the past 42 years whom I have been able to call my friend. If I hadn't been driving, I would have missed knowing all of these wonderful people and missed one of life's greatest blessings. I have also enjoyed the freedom of the road.
What do you like best about working for Roadway?
I have been proud to have worked for the best trucking company that has ever been! I have worked for and with the greatest group of people in the trucking industry. I will miss them dearly when I retire.
Additional Comments:
I could not have accomplished all that I have without my Lord being with me and the love and support of my wonderful wife and family. One of my favorite quotes is from Winston Churchill: "NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP."
