-submitted by Tim Rodgers
L.M. Rodgers Trucking, L.L.C. is a Family owned and Veteran owned small trucking business established on March 25, 2014.  The company was conceived on the hopes and dreams of two brothers, Timothy R. Rodgers and Gregory Rodgers, the sons of the late Louis Mitchell Rodgers and Mae Cola Rodgers who currently resides in Creswell, NC.  L.M. Rodgers Trucking, L.L.C. is based in Williamston, NC which is considered the hub for transporters who distribute products, goods, and services throughout the Northeastern region of the state.  This location is strategic in the sense that it allows them to provide responsive transportation services, and quality care along with savings in time and cost that enhances their customer’s bottomline as they move Dry Good Containers to and from the International Marine Terminals in Virginia and North Carolina.

The dream began in the late 60s to early 70s when they were young boys who often road “shotgun” with their Dad, known throughout Columbia and Creswell as “LM”.  Daddy “LM” was always talking about and wishing to own his own truck.  Gregory, upon graduation from high school in 1977 joined the Army and became a driver himself, following in his Dad’s footsteps as he also drove trucks while serving in the military during the late 40s to early 50s during the Korean War.

After military service, Daddy “LM” drove trucks for logging companies and farmers throughout the area.  He worked as a Foreman for Jack Barnes Logging.  He worked for Ed Bateman and Everette Davenport, both local farmers of Creswell, NC, hauling soy beans, grain, and corn, to the ports in Virginia and hogs to Smithfield, VA for the local hog farmers throughout the region as an employee of Creswell Grain Company, now known as Phelps Grain Company of Creswell, NC.   His career ended while driving for Jack Barnes Logging when he died of a massive heart attack while behind the wheel of his log truck leaving Manteo, NC on Hwy 64 west.  “Nightingale” flew him to Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC where he was pronounced dead upon arrival on November 14, 1991.  The companies email address reflects this date in his memory.  This loss devastated the family tremendously and the dream was thought to have been lost.

In 1979, Tim graduated from Creswell High School and entered college at Elizabeth City State University to study business and finance.  He wanted to learn all that he could so that the dream of buying a truck for his Dad would eventually become a reality.  Tim graduated college in 1983 but while there, was also enrolled into the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) so that he could join the Army as a Transportation Corps Officer to continue his development towards becoming an owner of a trucking business.  However, upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2LT into the US Army Signal Corps and was trained as a Communications-Electronics Officer where he served for 12-years and retired early at the rank of Captain after a battle with cancer upon returning from the Gulf War.

After serving 20-years, Gregory retired in 1997 and they discussed starting the company over a period of a few months.  Concepts and ideas were shared but because of a lack of resources and funding, the idea was placed on hold and Gregory decided to drive commercially, once again, just as his Daddy “LM” did.  He settled his family down in Williamston, NC.  He felt that the experience of driving commercially throughout the local region would help in the long run.  Thus, the dream was once again deferred.

Fast forward to July 2013, Gregory and Tim re-ignited the idea of owning a truck and starting a business.  It was shared with their Mama Mae Cola and she told them; “Don’t do it if it ain’t gone last…”

During the following months there was much discussion and collaboration about the business concept and Tim began drafting the Business Plan which was analyzed by the NC Small Business & Technology Center on the campus of East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.  The plan still needs work but proved to be enough for Tim to commit to moving forward with the dream.

On March 10, 2014, a 2007 KENWORTH, W900L, just like the one Daddy “LM” drove and was also his favorite truck to drive, was purchased.

On March 25, 2014, 2-days before Daddy “LM’s” birthday, L.M. Rodgers Trucking, L.L.C. was born by registering and establishing their company as a Limited Liability Company with the North Carolina Secretary of State Office, Corporations Division.

May 9, 2014, the company which owns a contract with Bridge Terminal Transport, Inc. out of Chesapeake, VA was assigned its first load to Oxford, NC.  Gregory operates the business out of North Carolina and Tim maintains the finances in Virginia.  They talk via telephone just about every day.  They have as one of their goals to own a fleet of trucks and expanding in the areas of regional based transportation services for local farmers, loggers, businesses, and government.  It is their objective to become a Leader in the Transportation Industry throughout the Northeastern NC and Southeastern VA region by employing and empowering others to own their own businesses.

Daddy “LM”, the son of the late Reverend James Oharra (J.O.) Rodgers and Maggie Lewis Rodgers and the brother of Reverend Doctor James Harrell Rodgers who has been Pastor of Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church for 31-years, was a proud man who carried the bible deep within his heart.  He loved his family and worked really hard to take care of them.  The business logo of the heart epitomizes this love for family with the caption “Every Praise Is To Our God”.

Mama Mae Cola, who has always been a pillar in the Columbia and Creswell community, has a heart of gold as well.  To this very day, she is often called upon to drive friends and neighbors to the local grocery stores and to their Doctor appointments in Plymouth, NC.  She loves all 12 of her children and has special nicknames for her 74 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

For more information about L. M. Rodgers Trucking, L.L.C. contact Tim Rodgers at 757-707-7436 or Gregory Rodgers at 252-217-1104.  You can also send them an email to lmtrucking1114@gmail.com.