OpenLine

January 2025

Leadership Message

Welcome to 2025 and what we all hope will be a much better year for freight. I’d first like to congratulate our Driver of the Month, Chuck, and our Rookie of the Month, Mattau. Keep up the great work!

In 2024, Melton celebrated our 70th anniversary. It’s hard to believe that so many years have passed so quickly, and no, I’ve not been here for all 70, just about half. Our accomplishments over the years have been impressive. I can remember when I started back in the stone age: 1991 (GlasTran days), when we were a small company with just under 100 trucks. If you had a problem, you generally called yourself for a solution. I dreamed about the day when we would be larger and have a bunch of wonderful folks driving our trucks and working in the office. Blink twice, and here we are (perhaps three blinks)! A wise man once told me that you just keep your head down, focus on the task at hand, and everything will fall into place. Notice the wise man didn’t say it was going to be easy, and it hasn’t been, but it has been fun.

We started to see some positive signs that business levels should increase, and once we clear the holidays, we’ll hopefully see business strengthen back up. Winter is a tough time with bad weather across the northern states. Please be careful and remember that if conditions are bad, stay off the road, and let the operations folks know you have stopped in a safe place.

As we move into 2025, I think it still holds true – keep your head down (in the truck that means eyes up), focused on the task at hand, and everything will fall in place.

Thank you for being an important part of our company!

Russ Elliott

Executive VP & COO

Driver & Rookie of the Month

November Driver of the Month

Congratulations to our newest Driver of the Month, Chuck! Chuck has been driving for Melton for three and a half years, and this is his first driving job. Before Melton, he…see more

November Rookie of the Month

Let’s congratulate our Rookie of the Month, Mattau! Mattau is originally from Baltimore, and has been driving for Melton since January of last year. This is his first driving job, and…see more

Photos

Every month we receieve lots of amazing photos from our drivers from their time on the road. If you have a photo you’d like to share, send an email to [email protected].

Brrrr! Nothing like a light dusting of snow to make you appreciate a warm cab. Stay warm, David!

December sunsets just hit different. Thanks for sharing, Dayan!

Something in the sunset in Montana this month, and Harrison managed to catch it!

John Paul was out in Utah getting a first-hand view of a postcard in the making.

Actual portal to a winter wonderland caught on film. Thanks for sharing, Michael!

Osel had a lovely view for the end of this day. Another member of the ‘Arch Club’

A little snow wont stop the view. Thanks for sharing, Randall!

Lots going on this month? Theron’s got some experience with that.

Wellness & Safety Articles

Melton Wellness in 2025

It’s a new year and if you’ve been with Melton for awhile or are newly hired, this is always a great time to…see more

Compliance with Hazmat Loads

Having your hazmat endorsement not only makes you eligible for more loads, but it also pays you more…see more

Monthly Poll

See last month’s results: What’s the best Christmas song?

Leave us a Review!

We’re always looking for Melton team members to share their opinions with us. If you want to share your experience working for Melton, we encourage you to leave an honest review on your platform of choice. You can visit our Glassdoor page below!

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Kudos

Here are some positive messages we receieved about both office staff and drivers for this month! If you’d like to give kudos to a coworker, please send it to [email protected].

I can say Robert’s determination is great, and seeing him grow is awesome. He’s just finishing his first week. I really enjoy seeing students become part of the Melton family—it’s the best part of this job. So, if you see Robert, show him some love.

Frank, Melton Driver

I want to give a special shout out to my trainer Chris for his wisdom and patience. We are almost at the end of our journey together. I’m glad I had a trainer who gave me the training that I got from him.

Howard, Melton Driver

I have to thank Bob and Angie for the amazing opportunity here at Melton. My experience has been nothing short from extremely amazing. I have to thank Abby for waiting three weeks for me to make a decision, Robert the tarp king, and Mr. Charles in training, plus the staff. Y’all were all amazing, but those two stuck out the most.

I also want to thank my super amazing DM, Carolyn, for starting me off slow and building me up to speed and my favorite Melton trainer Frank. Thanks for pushing and motivating me on my very first load out of CDL school, along with all the work that goes into each load. I appreciate all of you, I hope you all have a great day and drive safe!

Ron, Melton Driver

A much-needed boost happened for me this weekend. I passed by the mothership for a few to grab a load. As luck would have it, I also ran into some friendly faces while in town. I finally met my new rockstar, DM Lydia, had a chat with the boss lady, got some sweet winter gear, and even had sushi with the boys. Thank you, Melton fam, for reminding me that y’all definitely do care.

Jonathan, Melton Driver

I had a great three weeks with my trainer! Now that that chapter is closed, it’s time to start a new one. I’ll be in Tulsa, Oklahoma tomorrow; hopefully I’ll pick up a Kenworth. I want to give a special thank you to Chris. What a great trainer! I’m sure I will be aggravating him down the road somewhere, but hats off to everyone that has helped me with my journey this far and thank you to Melton for giving me this opportunity.

David, Melton Driver

Thank you, Road Training team! I want to wish you guys a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’m so appreciative of all that you guys do for me. Working with the new guys is the best part of my job, I just want to tell you all I am so thankful that we have such great people at Melton. I’m looking forward to returning in January after enjoying some home time, but I want to thank you all for always going to bat for me. You are truly in my prayers, thank you for all you do!

Doug, Melton Driver

Please issue a kudos for the driver who assisted us in dropping a load on the Birmingham, AL yard to get another driver straight home for Christmas while anxiously waiting for their own load home tomorrow.

Kelsey, Territory Account Manager

I was just on the phone with a customer. She says the driver, Gracie, was one of the best drivers she’d ever dealt with. Gracie ended up telling her she had only been driving for 2 months!

Dillon, Account Manager – Melton Logistics

Shout out to Russel, Shea, and Chris for their quick response and knowledgeable solutions regarding a load shift issue involving a customer and a new project they have hired us for.

They jumped right to it and had a solution right away. Then they went to work to make sure we could have a system in place to prevent this from happening again in the future. I really appreciate all they do. Great job, keep up the good work!

Brandon, Special Accounts Manager

I wanted to say happy holidays to my DM, Louis. In the 4 years I’ve been here, he’s been my DM and I am so thankful for it. He always goes to bat for his drivers and makes sure they’re taken care of. Granted, I’m probably not one of the better drivers that he has on his fleet, but he still tolerates me! I wouldn’t want any other DM; even though I know several others and enjoy talking to them, Lou has just been absolutely awesome. I just wanted to let Lou know how much I appreciate him and that I’m grateful for everything he does.

James, Melton Driver

I’m a little late, but I definitely want to shout out and thank my trainer Chris, the dopest trainer. It was a blessing to learn from the best! I definitely appreciate you, my guy!

Jamel, Melton Driver

Get Involved

We’re excited to share all of the activities that have been happening at Melton during the month!

See what's happening

Anniversaries

Be sure to congratulate these staff members who have hit tenure milestones with Melton!

Let's Celebrate

New Hires & Movement

Congratulations to all of the new hires and movement this month! Meet the newest members of the team here.

say hello

Top Fleets

It’s time to recognize and congratulate the top fleets for the month!

Check it out

November Driver of the Month: Chuck

Congratulations to our newest Driver of the Month, Chuck! Chuck has been driving for Melton for three and a half years, and this is his first driving job. Before Melton, he worked in corporate tech jobs and owned his own restaurant. Chuck was able to visit all lower 48 states in his first year of driving, and his favorite one to drive through is Utah. His best advice for new drivers is to learn to improvise and adapt to new situations, since you’ll inevitably run into a situation you don’t expect. Chuck would also like to give a shout-out to his significant other, Angela, who has supported him through his entire trucking journey.

Chuck’s DM, Carolyn, had this to say: “I am so proud of Chuck for this milestone. He is consistently striving to go above and beyond. Chuck is always willing to help when needed without complaint, and it is a pleasure to have him on my fleet. I am looking forward to many more years!” Keep up the great work!

November Rookie of the Month: Mattau

Let’s congratulate our Rookie of the Month, Mattau! Mattau is originally from Baltimore, and has been driving for Melton since January of last year. This is his first driving job, and decided to work at Melton after hearing a lot of good things. When he’s not working, Mattau’s favorite thing to do is ride motorcycles. He also has a pet on board, a malti-poo named Rover. His best advice for other drivers is to stay safe and listen to seasoned drivers, since they have a lot of knowledge about the industry.

Mattau’s DM, Stephen, says he is a great communicator and a hard runner. Congratulations, Mattau!

A Message from Our Wellness Manager

It’s a new year and if you’ve been with Melton for a while or are newly hired, this is always a great time to present some of the great wellness offerings at Melton Truck Lines.

InBody Testing: The InBody uses bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure bodyfat. This technology allows you to remain fully clothed during the test and is extremely accurate. You will need to refrain from caffeine 6 hours prior to testing. Office employees can send me an email and we can arrange a time and date, and drivers can simply walk-in.

Torque: This 3,500 ft fitness facility features state of the art equipment offering plenty of space and equipment to get your workout done effectively. We also have Fitness on Demand (FOD), an on-demand group class system with over 350 classes ranging from yoga to high intensity HIIT classes. Plus, Torque is open 24/7!

CareATC: Our onsite clinic is available to all employees and covered dependents for primary medical care. All of the costs are absorbed by Melton Truck Lines. Flu shots, DOT physicals, general check-ups and blood testing is all available. Their hours are 8am-12noon & 1pm-3pm Monday through Friday. To schedule, simply call 918-876-0142 or download the CareATC app.

Road Warriors Run Reimbursement: If you like to participate in distance runs or maybe you are thinking about attempting your first 5k, we will help with the costs. First, find an event then register and pay for that event. Once completed, send me either your official chip time or proof of finish (picture of you at the finish line). Once I receive your registration with cost info and chip time, we will provide UP TO $30 in reimbursement. All forms go to [email protected]. You get reimbursement for up to 3 events per year.

Gym Reimbursement: If you workout at an outside gym or are thinking about joining one, we will help with the costs. First, send me a copy of your gym contract. I really just need the front page. After that, send me each month that you attend that gym 8x’s or more on different days for a $15/month reimbursement.

This is just a snapshot of some of our available programming. To stay in the loop, I encourage you to join our Facebook Group by searching “Melton Torqued” on Facebook. I post a workout every Friday as well as recipes, fitness tips and all upcoming wellness challenges that we are offering.

See you in Torque,

Bret Bringham

Wellness Manager

A Message from Our safety department

Having your hazmat endorsement not only makes you eligible for more loads, but it also pays you more money per mile. Alongside the benefits, hauling hazmat comes with a unique set of challenges and responsibilities. Transporting these products requires careful planning, compliance with regulations, and a commitment to best practices.

With that in mind, below are a few guidelines to help you successfully haul hazmat and avoid dreaded CSA violations:

Make sure the items on your trailer match what’s on your BOL. The products on your trailer need to match the quantity listed on the BOL as well as the product listing. Additionally, ensure the hazardous material is clearly marked as hazmat on your BOL to avoid violations.
In your emergency response guidebook (ERG), read and familiarize yourself with the precautions associated with the product you’re hauling. To do this, first find the UN number on your BOLS. From there, use the UN number to find the corresponding guide page number in the orange section. Now, read up on the information regarding the product. Once you are ready to go, place your BOL in your ERG on the matching page as a bookmark!
Have the ERG within reach during your trip. Driver door pocket is a great spot!
Check for damage to placards en-route and replace if necessary. The shipper will supply you with 5 placards: 4 for each side of the trailer, leaving 1 extra in case of damage. Clear packing tape can also assist if there is any issue with the placard sticking successfully!
No smoking within 25 feet of the truck or the product.

Stop for all railroad crossings. Lower your windows to hear a horn.

Fuel only one tank at a time. FMCSR 397.15 (b) states a person must be in control during the entire fueling process.

Enter all DOT scales, regardless of bypass. No need to park and go in, but do roll across the scale to ensure everything is good. Of course, park if directed to do so.
Do not rely on GPS or tablet route suggestions. Sometimes, your GPS or the Geotab routing might take you down a route that is not suitable for hazmat. Double check your entire path for hazardous cargo restricted routes and detours.

By staying informed and following key safety protocols—such as double-checking your BOLs, reading up on safety measures for your specific hazmat product, and ensuring properly secured placards—you can reduce the risk of violations and ensure a smooth journey. As always, the Safety team is here to help. If you encounter any issues, you can reach us at 800-656-2167. Thank you for your hard work and let’s ring in the new year safely!

January Anniversaries

34 Russ Elliott

25 Kendra Lamb

24 Roger Rank

24 Rhonda Meshew

24 Aaron Kingsford

22 Matthew Thomas

21 Richard Simpson

21 Stefanie Ryan

20 Daniel Sibert

19 Terry Edwards

18 Gerald Worth

18 Jerry Hoffpauir

17 Edward Land

17 Jonathan Sipe

16 Edward Carmichael

15 Dane Lemons

15 James Halvorsen

15 James Tinnin

15 Kenneth Cosby

15 Robert Slaughter

15 Charles Cozart

15 John Authelet

13 Darrell Henson

13 Fernando Diaz

12 Lourdes Lozano

12 Martin Kotanan

12 Michael Livingston

11 Andrew Poole

11 Alberto Arizola

10 Keith Moulton

8 Steven Jones

7 Bryant Newberry

7 Charles Elias

7 James Parm

7 Keith Tallman

6 Harvey Melby

6 Jeffrey McMahan

6 John Anagnost

6 Joseph Borja

6 Tony Hayes

6 Daniel Hughan

6 Jonathan Guevara

6 Nickalus Liendo

6 Stephen Lackey

5 Daniel Earnest

5 Jared Fields

5 Samuel Duran

5 Chad Merrick

5 Donnita Scott

4 Gustavo Gil

4 Daniel Isherwood

4 Douglas Eichorn

4 Dustin Ducharme

4 Rashawn Berkley

4 Reco Williams

3 Samara Leon

3 Juan Quezada

3 Mark Lord

3 Trenton Ingram

3 Alondra Barragan Guerrero

3 Jesse Akers

3 Kelsey Dejournett

3 Lydia Humphrey

2 Camilo Rubio Marin

2 Christopher Manzano-Redmon

2 Conrad Ebanks

2 Isaiah Simmons

2 Reed Campbell

2 Cheyenne Pickett

2 Laura Munoz

2 Logan Qualls

2 Stephen Pyles

1 Kenneth Hill

1 Osiel Escobedo

1 Tory Heavener

1 Andrew Mark

1 Anthony Stokes

1 Bradley Page

1 Charles Kraft

1 Christen Goth

1 Christopher Ahern

1 Daniel Samiec

1 Darnell Hankins

1 Demarkion Paymon

1 Derreon Hunt

1 Devon Marshall

1 Douglas Darnall-Austin

1 Emmanuel Torres

1 Feliciano Tejeda

1 Gabriel Gamez

1 Isaiah Hackney

1 James Lucas

1 James Judkins

1 Jeavon Copeland

1 Jerrell Reed

1 Kadar Parris

1 Kion Moore

1 Kyle Huckabee

1 Lathan Henry

1 Luis Alvarado

1 Malik Brown

1 Manuel Rodriguez

1 Matau Dangerfield

1 Matthew Robertson

1 Mekhi Weekley

1 Michael Hosbach

1 Nigel Deer

1 Paul Grady

1 Peter Homblette

1 Quadarius Holt

1 Rafael Matos-Ricci

1 Raymond Tarbox

1 Saul Pena

1 Sherdell Dudley

1 Tavarus Breland

1 Taylor Leveille

1 Tyrese Johnson

1 Zaahid Jumarally

1 Austin Rodgers

1 Cooper Schnake

1 Jordan Hammer

1 Rafael Iglesias Cardona

Monthly Celebration: We’re Thankful for You!

Each month, we gather in our Tulsa headquarters atrium to have our monthly celebration to celebrate anniversaries, new hires, promotions, and birthdays. This Christmas, we asked everyone to wear their best ugly sweaters! We also offered a Christmas lunch after the celebration.

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Elf Selfies: Happy Holidays!

We celebrated the holidays by having our team take photos as elves at our s-ELF-ie station! Check out the photos we got here.

Toys for Tots 2024

Earlier in December, we ran our annual Toys for Tots drive to support children in need. Between toy donations and cash donations, Melton was able to provide a total of 264 toys! Thank you to everyone who donated, and congratulations to the Accounting department for reaching the most donations.

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November Top Fleets

Each month, we have our best fleets in MPG and fuel compliance. Below you will see the top three fleets in each category. Congratulations to each fleet. Keep up the great work.