Brothers Juan and Sergio Orona are living examples of the American Dream. They left their home country in search of a brighter future and found it in the trucking industry. Facing numerous obstacles and working tirelessly, they have proven that hard work and determination can lead to success in the Land of Opportunity.
“We live in the country of opportunity,” Juan said. “As far as I’m concerned, a lot of people don’t think that, but America is the No. 1 country in the world for me and my family.”
Mexican-born brothers, Juan and Sergio, have been recognized for their dedication to their profession and their nation. They have been inducted into the Relay Hall of Fame, a tribute to their outstanding service as carriers for Lake Trucking.
Their commitment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has not gone unnoticed. Despite personal tragedy within their own family, Juan and Sergio remained resolute in their mission to deliver essential supplies to a distressed nation.
Ted Brozanski, President and CEO of Lake Trucking, proudly nominated the brothers for this award, highlighting their immense contribution and resilience in the face of adversity.
“The Orona brothers represented Stokes Fish and Lake Trucking in such a manner that they became the face of the company to our customers,” Brozanski said. “We still hear from customers today (about) how the Oronas would always deliver on time, always with a great attitude and always making sure the customer’s interests were their first priority.”
The brothers’ joint venture in the transportation industry began when Juan established his own trucking company and invited his brother to join him. Sergio, who was previously employed in the construction sector, saw an opportunity for change amidst an economic downturn.
“One afternoon we were building a porch behind our house, and I said, ‘Sergio, we need a driver. I need somebody to go to Chicago,’” Juan said. “I said, ‘I’ll teach you how to drive. Believe me, it’ll take one trip and I’ll have you driving like a professional.’ In 3,000 miles he was driving like a professional.”
Sergio admits that at first, he agreed to drive solely to help his bother, but soon discovered his own love of the road.
“I said, ‘I’m going to try for a couple of years,’” Sergio said. “A couple of years pass, and I start loving it. I like to go because you can see different things every day. See different people, good people, bad people, everything. I used to come home and think, ‘I cannot wait to go out again.’”
After Sergio landed a job at Lake Trucking Co, he wasted no time bringing his younger brother, Juan, into the fold. With their shared passion for the open road, the duo embarked on a 20-year adventure delivering seafood across local routes and even venturing as far as the greater Midwest. Along the way, Juan took a detour into dispatch for 18 years before eventually returning to the thrill of trucking.
“After he went to dispatch, we used to argue a lot, me and him,” Sergio said with a chuckle. “He used to tell me, ‘You have to do this.’ I used to say, ‘You’re just taking advantage of me. Huh?’ Everybody used to tease me about it.”
News Report: Two lifelong road enthusiasts, now in their 60s, the brothers have expressed their love for the open highway, making it almost unimaginable for them to pursue any other occupation.
“There’s nothing like being out there on the open road by yourself,” Juan said. “Give me my destination, what I’m doing, and I know how to do it well. You don’t have to worry about me.”
In fact, it can be difficult to convince the brothers to take a break.
“The last time I took a vacation was like, three years ago. One time I went six years without taking a vacation,” Sergio said. “Vacations to me are more work than what I’m doing on my job. Everybody says, ‘When are you going to retire?’ I say, ‘Not ’til I cannot walk.’ I don’t care to retire, because I know my job and I’d miss my job.”
The two experienced truckers agreed that the trucking industry has evolved over time, however, they expressed concerns about how certain technological advancements have diminished the skill required for driving and increased unnecessary oversight.
“When we started, there was no air ride in the tractors. Small sleepers. Now there are air bags and everything,” Sergio said. “It was really hard for me now that we’ve got this automatic truck. I think all the old drivers don’t like it. I don’t like it for nothing. I told my boss I can get better fuel mileage with a standard because I know how to switch my gears a little bit better.”
Juan says the GPS tracking features sometimes cause a bit of frustration during his workday.
“My biggest problem with these new cabs is that they’re just looking at you on the screen,” Juan said. “I have a problem with new guys when they tell me, ‘You’ve got a pickup at such-and-such place.’ Then an hour later, ‘Did you pick it up? Did you miss your exit? I see you on GPS and you have missed your exit.’ I say, ‘No, this is the way to get in there.’ That’s the problem when they’re just in their office dispatching; they’ve never been out here doing it.”
As for their advice to the new generation, the two lifers said it’s important for any driver to respect the fundamentals.
“The Golden Rule would be to be courteous, treat other people the way you want to be treated, be safe out there,” Juan said. “Safety is the first thing. If a car cuts you off, let them go; nothing happened. Just let it go.”
“I’d tell them have a lot of patience,” Sergio said. “If you want to learn, look at a mistake that somebody else made and learn from it. Don’t make the same mistakes.”
Source: The Trucker
Photo: Relay Payments
