Mentorship on the Road

Wallis has made a career out of training and guiding other drivers. “I’ve been training ever since I started with Freymiller,” he said. “I’m a mentor to probably about 10 different people who have moved from training into their own trucks.”

His dedication extends beyond teaching maneuvering and safety. Wallis brings his own experience from competitive driving to the table. Winning the 2024 Oklahoma Truck Driving Championship in the Sleeper Berth division qualified him for national competition, but accolades are not his main focus.

Bill Woolsey, Freymiller’s director of safety, praised Wallis’s commitment: “With over 15 years as a driver trainer, Toby has mentored countless trainees, guiding them to become successful, professional drivers. His dedication to sharing his knowledge and fostering safe driving habits has shaped the next generation of drivers, strengthening our fleet’s overall performance.”

Advocacy and Industry Engagement

Wallis’s recognition as TCA Professional Driver of the Year also gave him opportunities to engage with broader industry issues. He participated in TCA’s Call on Washington last September, meeting lawmakers to discuss challenges such as parking shortages, cargo theft, and highway conditions.

“It’s interesting to see some of the behind-the-scenes activities, and something of the way laws are created,” Wallis said. “I knew (TCA and the trucking industry) were lobbying for legislation, but to see how that process actually works and getting to talk to people — that’s always been interesting to me.”

A Career That Started Unexpectedly

Like many professional drivers, Wallis didn’t start his career planning to be on the road. “I was working at a sheetrock company, and their driver was quitting,” he said. “They told me that if I got my CDL, they’d pay me more.” He earned his Class B CDL, later completing Class A training at Schneider, and eventually joined Freymiller in 2005.

Balancing life on the road with family responsibilities has shaped his approach. “My wife passed away about 12 years ago, so it’s pretty much just me, my mom, and my grandmother,” he said. “As long as I can come in and check on them and talk to them regularly, I don’t see any reason to come off the road.”

Wallis also has three adult children, proudly noting that his youngest earned a master’s degree. “No grandkids yet, but they’ve got to hurry up before I’m too old,” he joked.

Supporting Veterans and Mental Health

A former medivac crew chief in the U.S. Army, Wallis earned a psychology degree using the GI Bill, helping him manage PTSD and informing his work supporting others. “It helped me a lot with my PTSD, and I try to use my brain as much as possible,” he said.

He volunteers on a mental health hotline, focusing on veterans but assisting anyone in need. “On Wednesdays and Sundays, and once in a while as a fill-in, I run a mental health hotline,” he said. “We lean more towards veterans, but we help everybody.”

Passion for the Profession

Wallis’s approach to driving blends professionalism with personal fulfillment. “I enjoy getting out here and meeting new people, doing new things, going new places. It’s always something different every day to me,” he said. “What I really love about my job is being out on the open road — but also the fact that I get to be a trainer. I get to help bring up the new group of drivers out here and teach them some of the old ways of doing things, along with some of the new technology.”

He offers practical advice for newer drivers: “Be a truck driver, not a steering wheel holder. Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep a smile on your face, and never take anything personally.”

Wallis emphasizes attitude and outlook as key factors in a long and fulfilling driving career. “If you enjoy it, it’s a career,” he said. “As soon as you start calling it a job, you’re going to start looking for something else.”

Woolsey summarized Wallis’s impact on the fleet and the industry: “Toby consistently sets a high standard, proudly representing our company on the road and with our customers. His professionalism, safety record, and positive attitude make him a role model for all our drivers, enhancing our company’s reputation in the industry.”

Wallis, however, keeps it simple: “I’m a firm believer that every day is a new gift from God.”

Source: The Trucker

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The agency plans to relaunch the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, a federal group that advises DOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on trucking safety programs and regulations. With the restart, DOT is actively seeking nominations from across the trucking industry, including small-business carriers, individual drivers, safety advocates, and enforcement officials.

According to a notice scheduled to appear in the Federal Register on Thursday, January 22, the committee will serve as a formal channel between industry voices and federal decision-makers.

“The Department solicits nominations for membership to serve on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee,” the agency wrote. “MCSAC provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation through the administrator of FMCSA about needs, objective, plans, approaches, content and accomplishments of the motor carrier safety programs carried out by the administration and motor carrier safety regulations.”

What the committee does and why it matters

The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee was first launched in 2006. Its role is not enforcement, but consultation. Members review existing safety programs, evaluate proposed regulatory changes, and provide feedback based on real-world experience inside the trucking industry.

While the committee has existed for nearly two decades, it has not met since December 2024. DOT officials say the relaunch is intended to restore regular industry input, with meetings expected to take place twice a year moving forward.

For drivers and carriers, participation offers a rare opportunity to influence federal safety policy before decisions are finalized rather than reacting after new rules are already in place.

Longstanding concerns about regulation and safety outcomes

One of the most consistent voices on the committee has been Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Spencer has repeatedly raised concerns about whether growing layers of regulation are actually delivering the safety improvements they promise.

During a June 2023 committee meeting, Spencer questioned the effectiveness of regulation-driven approaches to highway safety.

“Coming from a trucking perspective … we’ve seen lots and lots of regulations,” Spencer said. “And all of these are supposed to improve highway safety and reduce fatalities and crashes and injuries. And, you know, that’s not happening.

“At some point, I think it’s reasonable to determine the effectiveness of what’s been done so far. And if we can’t show that things actually improved as a result of this (regulation), then maybe it’s the time to put that out, that effort, downscale that effort, and move in a different direction based on some kind of real logical information that would be more likely to produce a positive benefit.”

Since those comments were made, FMCSA has signaled a shift in tone, taking steps to remove what it has described as unnecessary regulations from the books. The committee’s return could play a role in shaping how that effort continues.

Who can apply to serve

DOT is encouraging a broad range of applicants. Qualified individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual or organization. Previous committee members are also eligible to apply again.

Nominations must include specific documentation to be considered complete.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Name, title, and relevant contact information
• A letter of support from a company, union, trade association, academic institution, or nonprofit organization, provided on official letterhead and explaining why the nominee should be selected
• A short biography outlining professional and academic credentials
• A written statement confirming that the nominee meets all eligibility requirements for MCSAC membership

DOT is requesting that nominations be submitted within 30 days of the notice being published in the Federal Register.

Why drivers and carriers should pay attention

For truck drivers and motor carriers, advisory committees like MCSAC represent one of the few structured ways to influence federal policy using firsthand experience from the road. Decisions made at this level can shape safety standards, compliance expectations, and enforcement priorities that directly affect daily operations.

With the committee set to resume regular meetings, the next round of members will have an opportunity to weigh in as FMCSA continues reviewing its approach to safety regulation.

Source: Land Line Media

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Trucking groups call for action.

Major industry organizations joined forces in pressing Congress and DOT to take meaningful steps. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), American Trucking Associations, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, PrePass Safety Alliance, and the Shippers Coalition were among those submitting formal comments.

For years, OOIDA has urged lawmakers to pass the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which would dedicate $755 million to building and expanding truck parking facilities. The group didn’t mince words in its latest submission:

“OOIDA will not support surface transportation reauthorization that fails to dedicate federal funding exclusively for the expansion of truck parking capacity,” the Association wrote in comments signed by President Todd Spencer. “Specifically, truckers support HR1659, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, championed by Reps. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn). This bipartisan legislation enjoys universal industry support and was reported out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in 2023 by a vote of 60-4.”

Parking shortage cuts into driver pay.

The financial impact of inadequate parking also drew attention. Even groups that often disagree with OOIDA, such as the Transportation Intermediaries Association, threw their weight behind the legislation.

“For drivers – this legislation would be transformative,” wrote Daniel Hoff, vice president of government affairs at TIA. “The chronic lack of parking forces drivers to waste valuable time searching for spots – costing the average driver about $5,500 in direct lost compensation, which adds up to about a 12% pay cut for drivers.”

Safety concerns on the rise

The PrePass Safety Alliance also weighed in, stressing that the lack of reliable parking poses a danger not only to drivers but also to the broader supply chain.

“By supporting expanded, accessible and secure truck parking and upgrading existing parking facilities with smart parking technology, DOT can address one of the most persistent barriers to both highway safety and supply chain efficiency,” wrote Ashley Simmons, vice president of policy and external affairs at PrePass Safety Alliance.

Individual drivers echoed those concerns in their own comments.

“Parking has become a huge issue and seriously needs to be addressed,” wrote trucker Jeremy Overfield.

A decade of frustration

Despite widespread agreement across the industry, many remain skeptical that Congress will act.

“Somehow, after nearly a decade of unified advocacy, the trucking industry still finds itself pleading for help and feeling anxious that Congress may again fail to act,” Spencer wrote. “Frankly, truckers are sick and tired of some lawmakers ignoring their pressing safety needs while funding other pet projects, and rest assured, they will be watching closely to see if Washington finally delivers.”

The comment period officially closed on September 8, leaving DOT and lawmakers with nearly 2,800 submissions to review. For drivers and fleets, the question remains: will Washington finally put parking on the priority list?

Source: Land Line Media

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Her journey into trucking wasn’t something she planned. It began with a single “yes”—a leap that turned into a calling. Now, nearly five years into her role at HandledNow, Faulkner is reshaping the way relationships and leadership are viewed across the industry.

“I didn’t grow up dreaming about working in trucking,” Faulkner admits, “but I landed here for a reason.”

That reason became clear early on. One moment in particular stuck with her: a driver struggling to afford gas to get to an interview. Her team helped, no strings attached.

“We just did it because that’s what it means to show up for people,” she says.

Moments like this confirmed for Faulkner that her place in trucking wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal.

Driving Human Connection in Trucking

For Faulkner, trucking is personal. Drivers aren’t just numbers to place; they’re people who deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

“I have the hard conversations. I build trust,” she says. “When someone tells me what they need, I go to work.”

Her work goes far beyond operational logistics. As a certified life coach, Faulkner uses her platform to uplift and guide others, especially women, within a traditionally male-dominated space.

Championing Women in Leadership

Through her coaching and leadership at HandledNow, Faulkner advocates for more than equity—she pushes for visibility, power, and transformation.

“We’re not just here to fill quotas,” she says. “We’re here to lead, to innovate, and to change the game.”

Her mission is to create a culture where women don’t feel pressured to shrink themselves. Instead, they’re encouraged to lead boldly and unapologetically.

“I help women who are feeling stuck break through limiting beliefs and reclaim their spark,” she says.

This passion is evident in her day-to-day work. Whether she’s mentoring a woman entering the workforce or helping someone reconnect with their career goals, Faulkner is committed to making trucking and leadership more inclusive.

“I’m here to break the cycle of just doing your job,” she explains. “Get curious. Get uncomfortable. That’s where the growth is.”

Recognition and a Vision for the Future

Faulkner says she never expected recognition, but being named WIT’s Member of the Month brought her a sense of meaningful validation.

“The kind of joyful surprise that reminded me I’m exactly where I’m meant to be,” she shared.

She’s proud of the progress she’s made but knows there’s more to do.

“Whether you’re behind the wheel or a desk, you have the power to change this industry,” she says.

Her advice to others is firm and empowering:

“Don’t disqualify yourself from the table before you even sit down. Sometimes the only permission you need is your own.”

Her involvement with Women In Trucking has been a source of strength and solidarity.

The community, she says, is filled with “phenomenal, driven women” working together to build a better future.

In the coming year, Faulkner plans to grow her coaching practice, increase her speaking engagements, and continue supporting women who are navigating their roles in trucking.

“I want to be a loud, proud force for women in this industry,” she says.

Life Beyond the Industry

Outside of her professional life, Faulkner is a writer, traveler, and mother. She taught herself how to blog through her platform, The Crazy Working Mom, turning it into a creative outlet and travel journal. Her bucket list includes destinations like Scotland, Italy, Greece, and China.

She finds joy in stories—whether through music, books, or the occasional binge-watch of Bridgerton or Outer Banks. Through YouTube Music and the Libby library app, she keeps inspiration within reach.

Above all, Faulkner values connection.

“If you walk away from my story feeling empowered, feeling seen, and thinking maybe it’s time you took up a little more space, good,” she says. “Reach out. Let’s grow together in trucking, in coaching, and in life. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Image & Source: Women In Trucking

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