“Safety is how you show others you care about them”

Robert Lester, Director of Finance, USAT Capacity Solutions

Robert Lester from Van Buren, Arkansas is the director of finance at USAT Capacity Solutions. He is a member of the 2022 LEAD ATA Class.

Robert began his career at USAT over a decade ago. With a degree in accounting, Robert joined USAT’s finance department after undergrad. This kicked off his career in the trucking industry and Robert says it has been one of the best decisions of his life.

“Since being in this industry, I feel a strong sense of obligation towards my coworkers and the drivers on the roads,” says Robert. “After working in the finance department for a year at USAT Capacity Solutions, I switched over to the driver management side of the company to get a better sense of things. During that time, I developed a keen sense of awareness as to what truck drivers dealt with daily. I began to have a renewed sense of appreciation and a strong sense of responsibility for those men and women who I was watching out for. I always did my best to make sure they were staying safe out there on the roads because safety is how you show others you care about them. It was my job to make sure that those drivers made it back home to their families every day.”

Robert explains that he has always been intrigued with the transportation industry and praises it as an excellent career choice for young Americans.

“Currently, there is a great pilot program that we’re doing with young people who are under the age of 21,” Robert explains. “As most people have come to know, there is a massive shortage of drivers in our country right now. I had one young man come to me for a job through the pilot program a few years ago and he drove for me for several months right out of high school. In a short amount of time, he was able to save up enough money to pay for his first semester of college. It goes to show you that this is an industry that truly takes care of their employees.”

Robert also explained that aside from great pay and excellent benefits, the trucking industry allows young people to have a career that opens the up to the world of travel.

“One of the greatest things of this age is the ability technology has to keep people connected no matter where they are. If you are a driver who is constantly on the road, you will still be able to connect with friends and your loved ones because the technology that we have now allows for that. Before we had access to that technology, it was much more difficult to stay connected with people in your life. All that has changed, and I think that is great,” Robert says.

Robert shared that during these times of hardships for so many people during the pandemic, the trucking industry has remained consistent to keep the country moving forward. “When people see empty shelves, they instantly wonder when the next truck is coming. I think the public has really felt the impacts and has begun to understand the need for the trucking industry because of the pandemic. My hope is that it is a realization for so many people on how necessary this incredible industry really is.”