Trainer of the Month: Anthony E.
For nearly ten years, Anthony E. has been more than a driver—he’s been a mentor. As a trainer at our Phoenix Refrigerated Terminal, he has helped shape the careers of countless new drivers, using the skills he developed during his 22-year military career: patience, adaptability, and expertise.
Anthony’s journey to trucking wasn’t immediate. After retiring from the military in 2003, he spent 12 years in the resort industry before deciding it was time for a change. “It was just something I always wanted to do,” he says of trucking. “And it gives you the freedom, for the most part, where you don’t have to deal with people all day, every day. Coming out of the resort business, you’re constantly dealing with hotel guests and vendors—so I call this stress-free.”
In 2014, he joined Knight Refrigerated as a driver, embracing the road and everything that came with it. “To me, you’re not boxed in. Every 10 minutes, your office window changes.” That sense of constant movement and new scenery made trucking the perfect career choice for him.
Becoming a Trainer
Within a year of driving, Anthony was approached about becoming a trainer. Given his extensive experience training soldiers in the military, the role felt like a natural fit. “I’ve done it all my adult life, so why not?” he says. “It gives you the opportunity to give back, to try and cultivate the next group of professional drivers.”
Since stepping into the role, Anthony has developed an adaptive training style, prioritizing the needs of his students over rigid instruction. “As a trainer, you have to be able to adapt to the learning abilities of your student—not the other way around. What worked for the last person may not work with the next person.”
To ensure success, he spends the first few days of training getting to know each student: understanding their goals, how they learn best, and what challenges they might face. Some need detailed explanations, while others learn best by doing. For Anthony, it’s all about meeting them where they are.
“As a trainer, you have to be able to adapt to the learning abilities of your student—not the other way around. What worked for the last person may not work with the next person.”
Anthony
Breaking Misconceptions
Many new drivers enter the industry with misconceptions about trucking, especially about pay and job availability. “The biggest misconception is pay. They see advertisements saying they can make $85,000 to $100,000 a year and think that’s what they’ll get right away. But this takes time.”
Another common misunderstanding? The belief that they can immediately get a local driving job right after earning their CDL. Anthony works to set realistic expectations for his trainees, ensuring they understand the dedication and experience required to build a successful career in trucking.
But when his students stick with it, the rewards are worth it. Anthony finds the most satisfaction in seeing his former trainees succeed, knowing he played a role in their journey. “Having students I trained five or six years ago still call me and ask for advice—that’s the most rewarding part.”
The Challenges of Training
Not every trainee succeeds, and Anthony has encountered students who struggled to retain information or adjust to the trucking lifestyle. “I always tell them—if you started doing this as just a job, you’re in the wrong business. This is a lifestyle.”
For those who realize trucking isn’t for them, he takes an honest approach. He sits down with them to discuss whether they truly thought through their decision, ensuring they understand the physical, mental, and emotional demands of the profession. “I always ask them—did you really take a deep dive into what this entails? Did you do your homework? Because this job is not just about driving; it’s about planning, problem-solving, and being able to handle being on the road alone.”
"Did you do your homework? Because this job is not just about driving; it’s about planning, problem-solving, and being able to handle being on the road alone."
Anthony
Changes in Trucking and Training
Having trained for nearly a decade, Anthony has seen a shift in the industry. Where drivers once came primarily from blue-collar backgrounds like farming, military service, or industrial jobs, today’s recruits come from a much wider range of professions.
“We’re seeing a whole different demographic of people coming into trucking. I’ve trained registered nurses, people from the corporate world—it’s not just blue-collar backgrounds anymore.”
With this shift, he believes training should also evolve. His biggest suggestion for improving the industry? A standardized trainer education program.
“The biggest change I’d make? I’d create a Driver Academy for trainers. Maybe a two-week or at least a one-week course for new trainers—so that all trainers go in with a basic understanding of what’s expected and how to navigate different student personalities and backgrounds.”
A Trainer with Purpose
Anthony’s philosophy is simple: train because you want to make a difference, not just to earn extra money. “Do it because you enjoy it. Do it because you want to make a difference. If you’re training for the money, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.”
He warns that trainers who prioritize mileage over mentorship fail their students, leading to underprepared drivers who struggle once they’re on their own. “Our job as trainers is to teach students how to be solo drivers—not just how to run miles like a team. They need to know how to plan their day, manage their time, and handle problems on their own.”
Anthony’s dedication to his students and the trucking industry is evident in his nearly ten years of training and mentorship. His ability to adapt, lead, and inspire makes him a standout trainer, and his influence continues to shape the next generation of professional drivers at Knight.
