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Gary Sasser / Averitt Express, Inc.

Guest post by: Linda Burson

Article Overview: Mazon Associates, Inc. features a monthly Entrepreneur of the Month in our newsletter, Building Bridges. This article is from our June 2010 issue for the enjoyment of our clients, friends and others.

Gary Sasser / Averitt Express, Inc.

Undoubtedly,when you have traveled any of the nation's in-city or open highways, you have seen one or more red-cab Averitt semi-trucks making the drive right along with you. Thurman Averitt founded Livingston Merchant's Co-op in 1958, a small trucking company that hauled dry goods mostly between Nashville and Livingston, Tennessee. In 1969, Thurman incorporated his small company, which he named Averitt Express, for the purpose of expanding his trucking business to include all of Tennessee. While making regular deliveries in Nashville, Thurman became acquainted with a young dockworker by the name of Gary Sasser who helped him unload his trailer. He found out that Gary had previously served in the United States Marines Corps reserves, and was currently attending the University of Tennessee while working part-time in the transportation business. One day Gary happened to ask Thurman if he would be interested in selling his company. After some thought, Thurman said yes. In October of 1971, Thurman Averitt completed the sale of Averitt Express to Gary Sasser (age 21), which at the time consisted of two associates, three tractors and five trailers.

Headquartered in Cookeville, Tennessee, Averitt Express, Inc. provides less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation service (LTL carriers combine freight from multiple shippers into a single trailer). Today, 39 years after Gary Sasser purchased Averitt Express, it is one of the country's leading privately-owned freight transportation and supply chain management providers, operating more than 100 service centers and serving more than 50,000 points throughout the Southern United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Averitt Express currently has more than 8,208 associates, approximately 4,000 tractors and 11,250 trailers. Since 2000, Averitt has provided ocean and international airfreight transportation services to 100 different countries and more than 300 international destinations. Averitt earned its first $1 million in 1978 and topped the $500 million mark in 1998. Revenue in 2008 was reported at $966.9 million. Gary Sasser's commitment to serving and developing people extends beyond the company of Averitt Express. He is well known personally for his community-minded philanthropic efforts and serves on the boards of several local, state, and national charitable organizations. His vision for Averitt Express has always been to maintain a strong focus on people, demonstrated by providing the best service to its customers and developing the full potential of its associates.

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Article Tags: averitt express, building bridges, entrepreneur, express inc, gary sasser, mazon, thurman Averitt



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