CEO of Mid-West Truckers Association: ‘Trucking business is strong’

Posted on April 8, 2020
Don Schaefer, CEO of the Mid-West Truckers Association, says business is good. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – If you pay attention to the billboards or to the signs on the trucks … the trucking companies want you to apply for a job. And the trucking business is strong — if only you can get a commercial driver’s license.

And Don Schaefer, CEO of the Mid-West Truckers Association, says a steady supply of new drivers is needed.

“The problem is, a lot of (seasoned truckers) have made the decision on a new career well before that,” Shaefer says. “So it hurts.”

“They’re saying, hey, I’ve got a guy ready to go or hey, I’ve got people I want to hire, but I can’t get them tested, and I can’t get them going, until the secretary of state’s office opens up.

“Hopefully, we can work with the secretary of state’s office.”

Those services are deemed “non-essential” and are suspended until at least April 30.

Schaefer says the business of transporting goods to stores, pharmacies, and gas stations is strong.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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