FOUNDED IN 1996 by Tim Jarriel, Triangle-J Inc. provides local, regional and over-the-road services for customers in construction, paper, grocery and other commodities. Jarriel also operates a trucking brokerage, a state-of-the-art maintenance facility and an equipment leasing company. Together, these companies employ well over 100 people.
HOW/WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INVOLVED IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY?
Tim: I was pretty much born into trucking. My dad began hauling freight in 1968, and I had a chauffeur’s license the day I turned 18. I did go to study animal science in college and tried to break away from trucking, but shortly after graduation my brother asked me to work with him in the industry. I got sucked back in.
Will: I started at the company in 2015 after graduating from Georgia Southern University with a finance degree. At one point I considered getting into the insurance business, but my dad is such a role model that I wanted to learn from him and join the family business.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A LEADER?
Tim: I learned leadership from my dad at an early age, and the members of our family have always been small business entrepreneurs. My brother and sister own their own business and are leaders as well. I also see it in my two boys because they are natural leaders themselves. (His son Clay is COO of the company.)
Will: It just came naturally to me as my passion to grow this family business further and make it a place where people enjoy coming to work.
WHAT IS YOUR MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY?
Tim: First, our Christian values are very important to us. Operating every aspect of our business with honesty and integrity is a must. Secondly, we provide a great, fun working environment and strive to give each employee everything they need to be successful. It is important to us that they enjoy their work.
Will: I do my best to not micromanage people, but you still have to hold people accountable for what you expect to be done. I do my best to be as patient and kind as possible. Sometimes you get taken advantage of, but it always works out for the best in the long run.
HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED YOUR HIRING AND OPERATIONS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY?
Tim: We’ve seen a lot of highs and lows in this industry, and try to keep reinvesting in our business during the good times in order to weather the bad. We listen to our drivers and focus on meeting their needs. Our new drivers’ lounge is a space they can come to and relax during their breaks.
Will: Our drivers can haul what best fits their schedule. We also are non-forced dispatch and a lot of drivers like that flexibility. We can’t offer some of the benefits of large trucking companies, but we make up for it by making our drivers feel appreciated.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR YOUR COMPANY?
Tim: We have weekly management meetings with key personnel as well as monthly finance meetings and yearly management meetings. We discuss where we want to be one year, three years, and five years down the road.
Will: We have focused group dispatch meetings daily and weekly, and our management team meets monthly to discuss a variety of tasks to improve our company. We try to keep everybody informed of changes and company goals so everybody can be on the same page to work like a well-oiled machine.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LEAD YOUR COMPANY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
Tim: Our model over the next seven years is to have a steady growth rate of between 10-15% each year. We can maintain and manage that cash flow ourselves financially.
Will: We would love to get up to 100 trucks/drivers, but the main goal is to grow organically by providing quality service to our customers.
LEADERSHIP CAN BE STRESSFUL. WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
Tim: Accidents. We have great employees and loyal customers and a great business model, but accidents are going to happen. You just never want to see anyone hurt.
Will: Safety is a top priority at Triangle-J, but some things are unavoidable and even the smallest fender bender has the potential to turn into a nuclear verdict. The litigation climate today really puts truckers at an extreme disadvantage.
WHAT’S THE LAST GOOD LEADERSHIP BOOK YOU READ?
Tim: I read all the trade magazines that deal with transportation.
Will: The Bible. There are some great lessons on leadership to be learned from the Scriptures, and as long as you try to live your life for Christ to the best of your ability, leadership comes second nature. Striving to be a better person each day has a positive impact on the people around you.
HOW DO YOU STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME?
Tim: First and foremost, by trying to maintain a healthy relationship with the Lord. Second, by coming to work every day and answering the phone. Third, by spending time with family.
Will: Reading up on current trends in the industry, reading trucking magazines and talking to all of our employees about how to continue to improve our company operations and culture.
