Dale Corum Celebrates 30 Years at Mercer

Dale Corum has spent thirty years at Mercer Transportation, building a career he’s enjoyed but never planned for. “When I started at Mercer, I never imagined that I’d spend my career here, but now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Corum has been with Mercer since its beginning in 1977. Over the years, his career and the company have grown and transformed to reflect the impulsive transportation industry. After trying his hand at several positions within Mercer, he is now the general manager of truck operations.

Corum began working for the company while he was a freshman in college at the University of Louisville. “I came in after school to read maps for $3 per hour,” he says. “By March of 1978, I was full-time.” Eventually, Corum moved back to his hometown of Birmingham, AL to attend night school while working at Mercer’s Birmingham office during the day. “At the time, it was just a way to pay the bills while I was in school,” he admits.

A big change in deregulation was looming for both Corum and Mercer Transportation. “I was basically running the Birmingham office at the time, and here came deregulation. I was scared to death,” says Corum. The Interstate Commerce Commission was no longer regulating rates and the approval process for starting a trucking company became increasingly lax. In Birmingham, Corum had established a strong customer base and had developed a knack for booking and moving freight. However, deregulation created a surge in competition. “Suddenly, I had to make sales calls and negotiate rates at the age of 22,” he recalls.

At his young age, working in the trucking industry during deregulation proved to be a challenge. He remembered making a particularly jarring visit to a traffic manager who refused to shake his hand. “So you think you can tell me all there is to know about trucking?” the man asked, while gesturing toward a photograph on his desk. “See that boy? That’s my grandson. He is about your age … he’s useless, and I figure all kids your age are about the same.” The changing times left many traffic managers feeling insecure, and Corum’s age didn’t lend him any credibility.

Despite the challenges, Corum found his footing quickly. In 1982, he returned to Mercer’s headquarters in Louisville. He worked in the rate and tariff department and then in billing/accounting. In 1994, he became a forming member of the General Managers Group with representatives from operations/recruitment, sales, IT/accounting, and brokerage departments. In 1996, he settled into truck operations where he is today. 

The General Managers Group has helped guide Mercer through industry and economic challenges. “A lot has changed in 30 years. The industry is much more sophisticated and cutthroat,” Corum explains. “There are tremendous demands on drivers. Mercer has weathered the storms of change by keeping our owner operators and shippers a priority. If we do that, we’re in good shape. That’s why we put so much energy into responding to their needs.”

Mercer has been recognized as being a beneficial company for owner operators as well as office employees. According to the company’s mission statement, Mercer promises to support their owner operators and employees by creating an atmosphere that gives people the opportunities to reach their potential. Mercer’s willingness to invest in people encourages personal and professional growth, which is why the company has boasted the lowest owner operator turnover rate in the industry.

In 1977, Corum was hired as Mercer’s 13th employee. Thirty years later, Mercer is home to a staff of 270 employees and operates an owner operator fleet of 2,040 trucks. Corum says, “So many drivers ask me, ‘How big does Mercer want to get?’ I always respond that it’s not about being big--It’s about being a better company everyday when you go home.”
“In so many ways, these past 30 years have flown by,” Corum adds. “I’m very grateful to have been associated with an organization like Mercer. I’ve always felt that anyone who wants to make the most of their driving business should give us a call.”