Independent Contractor - December 2019

Veteran driver Steve Fields’ devotion to trucking
industry doesn’t punch a clock
YRC Freight professional truck driver Steve Fields, center, receives the Mike Russell
Trucking Image Award from American Trucking Associations Chairman Barry Pottle,
right. Looking on is Tommy Hogan with Hire Right, which sponsors the award.
For some, driving a truck professionally is a
job. There are good days and bad days, but when
the parking brake is on and the key turned off,
it’s time to leave it behind and go home.
Then there are drivers like Steve Fields, for
whom representing the trucking industry is a
round-the-clock proposition. He’s driven 3.3
million miles without an accident in a career
spanning 34 years, setting examples for both
safety and longevity for other drivers. He’s been
with YRC for 22 years and sits on the company’s
freight safety committee.
Steve has competed in truck driving
championships at state and national level for
most of his career. He often shines brightest,
however, when he climbs down from the cab.
He has served as a captain with America’s Road
Team and is still an active participant in the
American Trucking Associations’ (ATA’s) Share
the Road program. He’s a member of Trucker
Buddy. He’s worked with the U.S. Secretary of
Transportation in a safety campaign and talked
trucking with President Trump at the White
House. And, he was the ATA’s choice to receive
the 2019 Mike Russell Trucking Image Award,
presented at the organization’s Management
Conference and Exhibition, October 5-9 in San
Diego.
Like many drivers, Fields got his start in
trucking at a young age.
“My grandfather drove for TG&Y Stores back
in the day,” he said. “I would sometimes ride
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