August's Contractors of the Month

August's contractors of the month are father and son owner-operator team, James and Anthony Bobo. Recently, fellow Mercer contractors, Pam and Ed Warren,  nominated the Bobo team because they kindly helped them deliver a load by guiding them through very dangerous Alaskan terrain. Pam Warren wrote:

This nomination is WAY overdue.
As a new driver last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Alaska with my husband. Having only a couple of months of driving experience, I was nervous and excited about the trip. I don't know what we would have done without Jim Bobo and his son Anthony in "The Black Volvo." Being expedited, we had to keep rolling and my husband (Ed) was having problems sleeping because he was concerned about me. Jim and Anthony took me under their wings and lead me SAFELY through mountains, gorges, extremely rough terrain and even a 10% grade. I thank God for sending me these two guardian angels.
I understand they have helped other drivers in a time of need also and I recommend that they receive recognition for their acts of kindness.

Pam & Ed Warren
Unit # 8104

James Bobo recalls, "There was a really long 10% downgrade and then a terrible two-lane bridge. To help each other along on the CB, my son Anthony and Ed Warren drove the same shift, while Pam and I drove the other shift. Pam was a wonderful driver and I just coached her through her fears. She just needed a boost of self confidence." James adds, "I was an instructor in the Navy. It is easy for me to calm people if they feel comfortable with me."

Currently, James and Anthony are helping out another couple at Mercer. Friends John & Peggy Dubois have been off the road since John's recent heart attack. James and Anthony split up their team so James could run the Dubois' truck and prevent the couple from falling behind on their truck payment. Dubois, who had just purchased a new truck before his heart attack,  says, "James and his son are remarkable people. They are probably saving my career in trucking."

The Bobos don't think twice about helping friends in need. "If we like you, we'll take the shirts off our backs for you. John and Peggy were the first couple we met at Mercer and for whatever reason, we just clicked. We became really good friends, and now I think of them as family," says James.

When Dubois raised concerns about breaking up Bobo's team on his account, James urged him not to worry, "Friendship is not about money." Dubois, who has been trucking for nearly 26 years, is recovering with his wife at his home in Alabama. They hope to be back on the road at the end of this month.

If you would like to nominate the next contractor of the month, please call Johanna Inman at 800-433-0904, or email jinman@mercer-trans.com