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Matthew Reed, Wadsworth, OH
TCA Scholarship ($2,000)
Travel Centers of America

My entire life the majority of our family income was based on my father's work in the trucking industry. Instead of a view from behind the wheel, I have a view of where the trucks stop on their travels and an exposure to and appreciation for what it takes to keep the trucks moving safely to their destinations. While in college, my father had an internship which eventually led to his twenty-nine year career. He began this internship with frontline experience interacting with truckers as an employee of Truckstops of America. As an intern, he learned all of the hourly positions: pumping gas, working in the motel and restaurant, etc. He realized the importance of these positions to truckers. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week the location was open and he interacted with truck drivers helping them to deliver their loads on time. After promotions and transfers, he now interacts with not only front-line employees but also with trucking companies developing maintenance programs for truck drivers. He is also involved in recruiting managers and technicians that keep the facilities operating and keep the trucks moving. I was influenced by his career and have an appreciation for the people who support the truckers through the products and services so vital to helping the truckers on their journeys. There are many people working at truck stops around the United States that feed the truckers, provide a clean place to sleep, fill their tanks, service their rigs...and people who strive to provide high quality employees and services at the locations. Through my father's career my family has experienced the ups and downs of the trucking industry and has grown to greatly appreciate the vital role it has in our economy. This is my view from where the truck stops.