Perseverance, patience, and networking are the name of the game at Carter Trucking in Fairfield, Illinois.
Jeremy Carter and his wife, Nikki, hosted Wayne County CEO students last Wednesday at their headquarters on Williamson Drive. Jeremy is a third-generation owner/operator in the trucking industry. His grandfather founded Charles H. Carter and Son Trucking in Mill Shoals, Illinois, in 1945 with just two trucks.
Growing up, Jeremy was certain that a career in agriculture and transportation was not for him. However, after an academic setback, he ultimately pursued a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business at SIU Carbondale. While there, he met Nikki, and together they made the decision to return home and join the family business.
Jeremy started at the ground level—driving trucks and helping on the farm. Over time, he discovered a passion and developed a vision for expanding the operation. Recognizing the need for additional space and greater exposure in order to grow, Jeremy and Nikki purchased the family business and relocated it from Mill Shoals to Fairfield in 2014.
In 2017, they expanded their services to include Carter X, an excavating division and Carter Athletic Facility. Through the power of networking, they acquired Crossroads Trucking in 2021 and Carter Specialized in 2023.
Jeremy emphasized to students the critical role networking has played in the company’s growth. With expansion, however, comes challenges. The Carters have had to develop innovative solutions related to safety, time management, and staffing. They hired a former state police officer to oversee safety and security, introduced new incentives for safety and attendance, and even opened a NAPA Auto Parts store inside the Carter Trucking service center. This allows mechanics to access parts immediately, eliminating delays and improving efficiency—another example of leveraging relationships to their advantage.
We thank Jeremy and Nikki for hosting the Wayne County CEO students and sharing their story of growth and evolution from 1945 to today. We also appreciate their hospitality—and the donuts!