Spend a few hours at Highway Transport’s Chattanooga Service Center and one thing becomes clear: nothing here happens by accident.
The Chattanooga team stands proudly in front of the service center.
Every load, every clean trailer, every repaired truck, every on-time delivery is the result of dozens of people trusting one another to do their jobs exceptionally well. Drivers trust the shop. The shop trusts the tank wash. Dispatch trusts equipment planning. Equipment planning trusts the drivers. It’s a chain of professionals who know that every link matters.
Manager Jason Cranfill (center) talks with regional drivers Stephen Gunter (left) and Rodrigo Rodriguez (right).
Service Center Manager Jason Cranfill, who has spent more than 28 years with Highway and worked his way from the tank wash into leadership, summed it up best: “Everybody in this office… they all pitch in to make sure everything’s handled during the day.”
That teamwork starts long before a truck ever leaves the yard.
Dispatcher Chip Johnson keeps a close eye on customer inventory levels, driver schedules, and the countless moving pieces that change every day. As he put it, “I’ve never had the same week twice in a row.” That’s exactly why communication is so important.
Equipment Planner Will Reed is constantly balancing customer needs with trailer availability, making sure the right equipment ends up in the right place at the right time. He credits much of Chattanooga’s success to the people around him, saying, “My guys are really reliable… we’re super blessed with having good guys.” He added, “These guys spend a lot of time in their trucks, so you want to make sure that they’re heard, and you want to make sure they’re okay.” That communication also strengthens teamwork inside the office. As Will explained, “We work pretty seamless as a team and we all communicate.”
Communication at the Chattanooga Service Center is not simply about passing along information. It is how employees support one another, care for drivers and keep the operation working effectively.
Communication is equally important in the team’s relationship with drivers. Service Center Manager Jason said, “Here in Chattanooga, we do really well with driver communication and making sure all the Ts are crossed and Is dotted on each load.” He also emphasized that these relationships are personal: “We just don’t talk to them like they’re employees. A lot of them we’ve known for years and years. We consider them
friends, so I think that helps.”
When equipment needs attention, General Services Manager Richard Collins and his team keep Highway’s fleet ready for the next load. Richard’s philosophy is simple: every day starts by reviewing work orders, preventive maintenance, inventory, and inspecting the facility to stay ahead of problems before they become downtime.
Mechanic JD knows just how much responsibility comes with that role. “If we don’t do our job correctly, trucks break,” he said. “I’ve seen tires come off… you’re the last person that signed the paperwork.”
Just outside the shop, the tank wash team handles one of the most specialized jobs in the company.
Equipment Cleaning Technician
Brian Teague
Brian Teague believes success starts with one thing: “Communication is number one.” Whether tackling stubborn latex residue or preparing trailers for demanding customers, every wash follows strict procedures before a trailer is cleared to haul again.
For James Holt, every shift begins with a plan. “We get in, see what trailers we’ve got to wash, write down the list, and get our day done.”
Strong communication also connects the service center’s shifts and departments. Tank wash technician Holt said, “One thing the Chattanooga team does really well is communicate. We communicate very well with each other.” He explained how one shift alerts the next when unfinished trailers need attention:
“Like if first shift has a couple trailers that they weren’t able to finish, they’ll let us know before we even come in and start our shift that, ‘Hey, if you can, finish these trailers for us. Knock them out.’ And that’s what we do. We help each other out.”
Joseph, who joined the team with no previous tank wash experience, appreciates how much there is to learn. “I pretty much came into this fresh, not knowing really anything about tank wash.”
Newer teammate JT has already found dependable mentors. “Brian trained me up pretty nice. He’s been an excellent coworker.”
Out on the road, Chattanooga’s drivers recognize the support waiting for them whenever they need it. Regional driver Karen takes pride in staying alert. After spotting worn steer tires during a walk-around inspection, she immediately headed back to the shop. “Something caught my attention… so I called work and said, ‘Get me ready, because I need new steers.'”
Local driver Rodrigo Rodriguez appreciates how quickly issues are handled. “If I have any issues… they changed it out within minutes.”
Chip Johnson and Regional Driver Rodrigo Rodriguez
Driver Stephen Gunter sees the operation as one connected team. “The mechanics here are amazing… if you see something, you say something. Everybody kind of works together.”
New driver Zach is still learning the world of tankers but already enjoys the challenge. Describing liquid surge, he laughed, “It feels like getting rear-ended.”
From the office to the shop, from the tank wash to the driver’s seat, Chattanooga succeeds because people trust each other to deliver and they communicate effectively.
It’s not just about moving chemicals. It’s about knowing the person beside you is ready to do their part. And, because of that, customers can count on Highway Transport to do ours.