The Stephens & Smith logo appears on every truck in the company’s fleet, and right beside it is another name.

The driver’s.

For Trucking Operations Manager Chris Barry, that’s more than lettering on a door. It’s a symbol of ownership.

“I like having one person assigned to one truck,” Barry said. “When that name is on the door, the driver takes ownership of it.”

This philosophy has helped shape a trucking department built on pride, professionalism and responsibility. Every day, nine CDL drivers represent Stephens & Smith on highways, city streets and jobsites across Nebraska and neighboring states.

Before sunrise, many of them are already behind the wheel.

Some haul aggregate from area quarries. Others pump concrete for major commercial projects. A flatbed driver delivers gypcrete product throughout the region. Every route supports Stephens & Smith projects while also serving outside customers.

“The drivers represent Stephens & Smith every day,” Barry said. “They’re the face of our company on the road.”

Barry leads the department. He joined Stephens & Smith on Feb. 7, 2000, as a concrete pump operator. He oversees hiring, dispatching, safety, maintenance, customer relations and regulatory compliance. Even with those responsibilities, he points to the drivers as the department’s greatest strength.

Experience runs deep throughout the team. Every driver holds a commercial driver’s license, with endorsements based on the equipment they operate. Barry hires every driver with one goal in mind: finding people who value safety, professionalism and customer service.

That commitment begins before a truck leaves the yard.

Drivers inspect their vehicles at the beginning and end of every day. GPS technology supports the company’s commitment to safe operation and accountability.

The department’s fleet includes six truck-and-pup dump trucks, two concrete pump trucks, a hook lift truck for dumpster service and a semi equipped with a flatbed trailer and forklift.

Those trucks and their drivers cover impressive distances.

A truck-and-pup may average nearly 380 miles during a day hauling aggregate for concrete companies such as NEBCO. The flatbed frequently travels into Kansas and other neighboring states, sometimes logging nearly 500 miles in a single day while delivering construction-related products.

Technology helps the department remain flexible. Dispatch software sends assignments directly to each driver’s phone, allowing schedules to change quickly when customer needs or project priorities shift.

The trucking department also plays an important role on many of the company’s largest projects. Concrete pump operators continue supporting work at the Sandhills Global campus, while other drivers haul aggregate, remove demolition debris and transport equipment for crews across the region.

Nonetheless, Barry defines the department’s success not by miles traveled or loads delivered. He measures it by the people behind the wheel.

When every driver treats a truck like it’s their own, customers notice. Fellow employees notice. The Stephens & Smith name earns another positive impression: One truck. One driver. One standard of excellence.