Big G Express - Q3 2020

Big G Express - Q3 2020

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND ESOP STOCK PRICE UP 21%

SUMMER 2020

A lot of things are going to stand out when we look back at 2020. There have been a lot of challenges, but I am confident that when we look back at this year, we will have some huge victories to celebrate, as well.

There aren’t enough words (or space) for me to adequately express how proud I am to be a part of the Big G Family of Companies, and I hope you feel the same. I love to use the phrase “IT’S GOOD TO BE US .” And I am more convinced every day that what we have here is special. There are very few companies in any industry that stand out from the crowd the way that our companies do when it comes to safety and service, and the number of companies in our transportation industry that compare is even smaller.

Please be safe. Take care of yourselves. Take care of your families. Take care of others.

Thank you for all you do to help make the Big G Family of Companies GREAT! –Randy Vernon, CEO

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or function is, do it the right way, which includes being safe! Perform your pre- and post-trip inspections, travel the posted speed limit, don’t tailgate or drive aggressively, pay attention getting in and out of your tractor or trailer — you get it! Do things the right way! In reference to getting in and out of your tractor, let me remind you to always use three points of contact. I know it might not look cool, and sometimes it may require an extra trip in or out of the cab, but in the long run, it is well worth it. First of all, it doesn’t look cool when you fall or slip while getting in or out, so that excuse is now dismissed. Secondly, we want you to be healthy and successful at your job, and to do that, you need to always enter and exit the truck in the proper manner. Also, be careful when you are inside a dry van or on top of one of the flatbed trailers. Be alert, watch your step, identify any object that could cause you to fall or lose your balance, and always know where you are in reference to the end and side of the trailer. We want you to stay safe! It won’t be long until we begin to see and travel in more inclement weather. Whether it is rain, fog, snow, or ice, know your limitations and don’t drive past what you feel is safe for you. If you don’t feel safe, don’t go! Communicate with operations so they know what is going on with you. We want you and those around you to get home to your family safely. Increase your following distance in any type of inclement weather. This allows you a better opportunity to react and safely avoid a potential accident. Folks, your safety and the safety of those around you is of utmost importance to Big G and IKE. Perform and make decisions like the professional driver that you are! DO IT THE RIGHT WAY!

MAKE SURE YOU KEEP DOING THINGS THE RIGHT WAY

FOLLOW THE RULES

Hey, everyone. I hope this note finds you and your family doing well and staying healthy. As 2020 continues to offer challenge after challenge, I know if we all continue to stay focused, have a positive attitude, and do things the right way, we will all get through it.

Until next time, –Tim Clark

Speaking of doing things the right way, I want to challenge all of us to do everything “the right way.” No matter what your job description

SHOP TIPPS

New Trailers: We are pleased to announce that we have ordered 250 new Wabash dry vans for the fleet. These units should start arriving in early November and will make a big difference for our customers.

Volvo OTR Units: We are replacing all the OTR Volvos between now and the end of the year.

Thanks for all you do every day, and feel free to contact us with any issues you may have. All of our maintenance facilities are here to help, and we take pride in keeping you in the best maintained equipment around. Tim Tipps VP Maintenance

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IT’S GOOD TO BE US! 100% Employee Owned

STOCK PRICE UP! Big G’s ESOP pays big for everyone’s future

Recently, our CEO Randy Vernon addressed the Big G family in a video message to discuss the successes of the year and unveil the company’s 2019 stock price. While we all missed getting to have our annual event for employee-owners and family to reveal the new stock price and account balances, COVID-19 caused us to treat this year differently to stay within safe guidelines.

At the end of his video address, Randy revealed the stock price had gone up a whopping 21% over 2018 to $59.81! We know every one of our employee-owners was excited to see that amazing number knowing that it means a more secure future for each of us. As Randy said: THANK YOU ALL for everything you do to make the Big G Family of Companies GREAT!

What does it mean to take care of EVERY DOLLAR, EVERY DAY? Through all the years, one thing Big G has focused on is our attention to the details. That’s another way to say we are tending to EVERY DOLLAR EVERY DAY. Today, we are a company that is in a great financial position by providing excellent service, making safety a priority, and keeping our eye on security. Providing the best service is key because it is the only product Big G sells and it is what sets us apart from the competition in the eyes of our customers. CEO Randy Vernon says, “It’s a source of pride to me— and it should be to you as well—that customer after customer tells us Big G is the benchmark they use to grade other carriers.” Every dollar, every day means our performance in the area of safety must come without compromise. Remember, the quickest way to the poor house for a company in the trucking industry is to fail in the area of safety. Thanks to everyone on the Big G team for taking care of each other and every load. That’s why IT’S GOOD TO BE US at BIG G!

BEHIND THE STOCK PRICE: What factors affected the increase? In his video address to the Big G family, CEO Randy Vernon noted that the company has been very successful in growing for the past ten years, saying some of the growth has been from buying and adding trucks to our fleet as well as through acquisitions such as our purchase of Ike Transportation, our flatbed services company. Throughout this growth, Big G has focused on tending to EVERY DOLLAR EVERY DAY. Randy explains it saying, “We are in great financial position today because for the past 11 years, we have done things right. We have tended to every dollar, every day. We have focused on service, on safety and on security.” Looking at Big G’s past stock trends that have continually increased, Randy stated, “It’s good to be us!” before listing some of the initiatives that led to 2019’s great performance: • Maintaining our rate per mile — We were able to hold the line through strong customer relationships and improved operational efficiencies. • Insurance savings — Our overall safe performance limited our cost increases in the area of insurance. • Debt reduction — During uncertain times, it’s very comforting to have manageable debt at our size as many carriers are not in our solid position. • These actions and a focus on cost-saving initiatives contributed to another great year for Big G – and another reason for celebration during our 25th anniversary! Well done, Big G family!

Guess the Stock Price Winner: Mike Davis

As part of the lead up to our stock price reveal this summer, Big G sponsored a Guess the Stock Price contest, starting July 1st. Employees were asked to submit their guess via email. The winner was Mike Davis who guessed the price at $59.16. Actual price was $59.81. He won $250 for having the closest guess.

CEO Randy Vernon congratulates Guess the Stock Price winner Mike Davis.

DRIVERS MONTH of the JUNE WAYNE DOOLEY Wayne joined Big G in February 2015. He originally

We asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers. He said it’s the way drivers are treated; everyone knows his name, and he does not feel like a number. His advice for new drivers is to simply “do what you are told and respect the people around you — and the respect will be given back.” He lives in Prattville, Alabama, and on his time off, he likes to travel. His favorite airline is Delta, and his favorite area to visit is the Pacific Northwest. company really cares about the drivers.” He is also happy to have had very few breakdowns. His advice for new drivers is to find a good employer. “Big G is one of the best companies I have ever driven for.” He lives in Dublin, Georgia. On the weekends, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and playing video games with his son. all the work that goes into planning to get loads delivered and drivers home as they request.” He also said he has never missed a home-time request since joining the Big G team. His advice for new drivers is this: “No matter how rough today seems, it will be better tomorrow.” He lives in Bristol, Tennessee with his wife Lecia and his step-daughter. On the weekends, they enjoy riding motorcycles and watching NASCAR — especially at the Bristol Motor Speedway. he feels at home here. “I can call in and talk to someone any time I want.” He also said he feels that Big G really tries to get him home when he wants or needs to. When asked to offer advice to new drivers, he said, “Have patience, slow down, and take time to get adjusted. Look at the big picture and think about where you want to be in five years.” He lives in Surgoinsville, Tennessee on the weekends. When he is not trucking, he likes to go fishing on the Holston River, around Phipps Bend and Cherokee Lake. When not fishing, he likes to hunt.

started trucking in 2009 with PAM Transport before going to U.S. Xpress as a driver. He joined Hogan Transportation as an inbound coordinator for three years before working a local route for J.B. Hunt. Of all the neat things that he’s seen throughout his career, he said one of the most amazing sights was of a lightening field in Montana — this is a phenomenon where several hundred bolts of lightning erupt simultaneously. KENTRA GUYTON Kentra joined Big G in January 2020. He started his trucking career in June 2000 with CRST (out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa), where he gained experience in tanker, containers, flatbeds, and doubles and triples. When asked what sticks out in his mind from the years of trucking, he said it is driving in the Rocky Mountains. “Those are some serious mountains.” When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, he said, “Great miles and great benefits. The KEVIN QUALLS Kevin joined Big G in December 2019. He started his trucking career on April 1, 2001 and said he was not fooled into it because he knew exactly what he was doing. His first trucking company was PAM Transport, which he drove for until joining the Big G team. As far as memorable moments, he talked about waking up in Aspen, Colorado, to see a thick fog drifting around the truck. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, he said, “The respect they give the drivers and DAVID CULBERTSON David joined Big G in April 2017. He started his trucking career in 2001 with Swift Transportation. He worked in their car-hauling division, mostly hauling different brands like Volvo, Mercedes, and Saab; he also spent some time delivering class 8 trucks throughout the country. One of the main factors that helped him choose Big G was the pet policy and that he was allowed to bring his dog, Buddy. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, he said, “It is just a family atmosphere,” and that

JULY

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MAY/JUNE/JULY ELITE FLEET

500,000 Accident-Free Miles Momodou Saine

PERFECT INSPECTIONS FOR MAY/JUNE/JULY EVERETT KNILE LEE JOSHUA THOMAS JORDAN

David Thompson Thomas Webb Jerry Johnson

Douglas Balek Marshall Lewis Timothy Sweet

FRANKLIN L. JONES

DANIEL MARTINEZ

250,000 Accident-Free Miles Denise Becraft Dustin Newman David Taylor

RANDY SCOTT VITAL

JOHNNY B. JACKSON

Daniel Martinez David Tanganelli James Klepper Mark Roden Aaron Pettigrew

ANTON JOSEPH P. LEDNICKY

DAVID KINSLER

Thomas Welker Joseph Darnell Robert Cross Statavious Cheek

EARNEST STEVIE HURST

JOSHUA ELZIE CARVER

ANTONIO F. PEARCE SR

CLARA LYNN HANACEK

125,000 Accident-Free Miles William Gale James Moore Brian Ringle Joshua Carver Lamont Hill Brian Joy

CHRISTOPHER TOD VANOVER

FITCHGERALD WYNN

TIMOTHY O. EDWARDS

RODNEY J. CHALFONT

Zachary Israel Dennis Jensen William Haigler Andrea Wynne Gary Ergle Gary Dotson

DANIEL DAWES

THOMAS SHARPE

Johnny Jackson James Santana Rusty White Michael Brett Phillip Neal

GREGORY OBRIEN

LARRY DAVIS

RICKY BOLICK

DAVID TANGANELLI David joined Big G in June 2016. He started his trucking carrier in Denver, Colorado delivering packing supplies and landscaping material. His first over the road (OTR) company was TWX out of Denver, Colorado—a company in which he ran throughout all 48 states and Canada. He heard about Big G from another driver at a truck stop and decided to give the company a call. One of his fondest memories was blowing the truck horn for a kid many years ago. David said he will never forget the smile on that little boy’s face. He said Big G stands out from other carriers because of the fact that, “Big G treats everyone like a person and not LAWRENCE ROBERTSON Lawrence joined Big G in February 2020. He started his trucking career in 2014 with Werner Enterprises and ran OTR in all 48 states for about three years with them. After that, he went to LandAir and ran Southeast Regional. He was picking up a load in Ohio and at one customer location found himself surrounded by Big G trucks. All five of those Big G drivers tried to recruit him! After a little bit longer at LandAir, he joined the Big G team. Of great memories, Lawrence said he really likes running in Texas because “it is just an easy state to get miles in.”

AUGUST

just another number. There is always someone you can talk to all the way up to and including the president of the company, and they listen.” His advice for new drivers is to “stick with Big G.” He went on to say, “Things might be frustrating in the beginning, as everyone learns more about each other, but it will smooth out and go well.” He lives in Henderson, North Carolina; they moved there from Georgia to be closer to the family and grandkids. On the weekends, when not in the truck, he likes to bang on his drums. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, he said, “The people at Big G are amazing and really treat you like a person.” He also said that he has never had a job where he is treated as well as he is here. His advice to new drivers is this: “Be safe, pay attention to what you are doing, and seek advice from more- experienced drivers.” He lives in Lakeland, Florida with his wife, Deanna and two dogs, Kalessy and Shy. When he is not running around the country making money, he likes to be at home, cooking with his wife.

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WHAT SETS US APART

What amazing news we received last week when Randy announced our stock price of $59.81, a 21.1% increase over the prior year! It is incredible to see the continued growth that our company has experienced since the inception of the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), and things just continue to improve. Randy mentioned in his video that several factors that led to the increase: maintaining a strong rate per mile, savings in insurance costs, and debt reduction. When I look at each of these stock increase factors independently and compare them with what we are hearing from the industry, our company stands above the pack. Whether it is from the industry media, conferences, peer meetings, or one-on-one conversations with other carriers, all I hear is how rate pressure from customers continues, insurance renewals are astronomical, and cash flow continues to be strained — the exact opposite of what we are experiencing here.

$2,671,603 into employee owners’ ESOP accounts. Who doesn’t get excited about that? Each and every one of us play an integral part in continuing to improve the company, and we reap the benefits. Secondly, our customers : Throughout this pandemic, we have been very blessed that our customers have continued to provide us freight to move and allowed us to continue to keep everyone busy. Not many companies can say that. We never really missed a beat throughout this unprecedented time in history, but we just continued right along with our customers and their ability to continue allowed that to happen. Finally, the culture that we have here is one that — in my career at other companies, both trucking and non-trucking — is second to none. We are not perfect and we continue to improve, but I think that there are employees in every area of the business who would echo my sentiment that this is a really great place to be, and it is really GOOD TO BE US. Halfway through 2020, we continue to perform just slightly ahead of last year, and my projection for the remainder of the year is that we will outperform last year, barring some unforeseen circumstance. I want to thank each and every one of you for the contributions you make, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the remainder of 2020.

What sets us apart from the majority of other carriers in the industry?

I think this can be explained by three factors:

1. Our employee owners

2. Our customers

3. Our culture

First, our employee owners: Whether you are a driver, a mechanic, or are in the office, every single one of you hopefully understands that your contribution to the overall success of the company will directly benefit you personally. This year we will allocate an additional 44,668.17 shares to our employee owners at a value of $59.81, which means we will put

HR BULLETIN BOARD –Stephen Voorhees, VP of Finance & Accounting

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190 Hawkins Dr. Shelbyville, TN 37160 931-684-9140 www.biggexpress.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 IT’S GOOD TO BE US! STAY SAFE: DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY SHOP TIPPS

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PERFECT INSPECTIONS ELITE FLEET

DRIVERS OF THE MONTH

MONEY MATTERS

As we have passed the halfway mark of 2020 with our Employee Stock Ownership Plan price up 21% as customers continue to need our support and growth, I wanted to share some FACTS about our Driver Referral Program – DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS EXTRA CASH! YEAR-TO-DATE NEWS FROM THE RECRUITING DEPARTMENT

Year-to-date for 2020, we have paid out $101,520.

I am not asking drivers to be sales people, but if you are at a shipper, a truck stop, or on social media and someone asks about Big G Express or IKE Transportation, tell them about BigGExpress.com or IkeTrans.com or to call Big G Express Inc. at 931-680-7218 or IKE Transportation at 615-867-1327. We will get them started on the best OTR/flatbed driving positions around. I have never been prouder to be part of what all of us as employee-owners have created at Big G and Ike. This is not just a place to work but a place to have a FUTURE . We want to THANK everyone for what you do every day, and if we can help in any way to enable you to succeed here, please do not hesitate to call and ask Terry (Conquest Driver Recruiting/Driver Services Team) at extension 7218.

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