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Those Who Deliver
with Veriha Trucking, Inc.
By Lyndon Finney
PROFILE
Veriha Trucking, Inc. operates 250 power units.
Karen Smerchek has headed
up Veriha Trucking since
2005.
Take a minute and Google “characteristics of a baby boomer” and here’s what you’ll
find:
• Strong work ethic
• Self-assured
• Competitive
• Goal-centric
• Team oriented
• Disciplined
• John Veriha
John Veriha, you ask? Google didn’t say anything about John Veriha.
Maybe not, but if you met the 74-year-old founder of Veriha Trucking, Inc., it’s likely
you’d understand why he certainly should be on the list.
“He grew up on a family farm, the oldest of three brothers,” said his daughter Karen
Smerchek, who now owns and operates as president of the company. “He was truly
looking at farming, but he decided to go out on his own and let his two brothers do the
farming. The work ethic of others wasn’t the same as his, so he decided he didn’t want
to work for anyone other than himself.”
So, in 1978, Veriha put down his hoe and rake, bought a truck, and started his own
business with a team of one, ready to compete against all comers.
By 1994, Veriha was operating 60 trucks; now it has 250.
Today, the Marinette, Wisconsin-based company provides transportation solutions
in 48 states and parts of Canada.
Its fleet operates out of three terminal locations to serve a variety of customers and
industries, hauling everything from paper products, groceries and produce, pet food and
auto parts.
Want to talk about teamwork?
All four of John Veriha’s children are part of the company.
“I think my dad really wanted to see his kids in the business,” Smerchek said. “We
each were asked the same question of ‘do you have an interest in being part of the
family business?’”
Two of the four said yes immediately; the other two, later on.
“Dad takes a ton of pride in having all four of his kids working for this business now,”
Smerchek said. “For me, I think it’s cool to have my siblings to lean on. Yet, when we’re
at work, it’s business. We say we’re a ‘family’ business, yet we’re really focused on the
business when we’re at work.”
Jeff is the oldest of the four children and he initially didn’t have an interest in the
family business, branching out on his own in screen printing and later the construction
business. When he came back to Veriha, he was a load planner and is now doing
building and grounds.
Joe, the next oldest, operated the business from 1997-2005 until Smerchek took
over after completing her education. Joe now is part of the company on the equipment
and maintenance side.
Kim started her career as a nurse, working her way through various leadership roles
at the local hospital. One year ago Kim decided to join the family business and is now
director of recruiting.
Today, John Veriha spends his winters in Florida, but when he is home in Wisconsin,
you can still find him around the office.
“Drivers and office team members are impressed when they get to meet the founder
of the company,” Smerchek said. “My personality is serious and driven. My dad lightens
the mood and usually is cracking jokes when he comes in the office.”
Veriha Trucking operates around five core values, which could also be defined as
goals — Safety, Personal Development, People First, Go the Extra Mile and Sustainable
Results.
The values encourage everyone associated with Veriha Trucking to be better every
day, to pursue excellence, be driver-centric, to not allow titles to define them, to give
back, to care and to make responsible decisions — just to name a few.
38 TRUCKLOAD AUTHORITY | www.Truckload.org TCA 2019