Community Involvement

Gene Hartman started working at Ohio Eastern Express, right after high school in the summer of 1998. He can honestly say “he’s done it all.” Gene grew up wrenching and working on trucks, learned his way around the shop, then got his CDL. He made his way into the office, Dispatched and moved into Management when his talent showed strength in dealing with drivers, customers, and loads 24/7—And he did it for years. As Operations Manager, Gene found his niche and bright spot learning from the best in John (Jacker) Waldock Jr. Jacker would share some strategies and stories, and Gene would share some dreams and goals and “WHAT Ifs” for OEX potential growth that never happened until…Gene bought out OEX when the opportunity showed itself. In November 2018, Gene married Gina and wanted to grow with his wife and family into the next phases of Ohio Eastern Express. Gene put his dreams and goals into play quickly making his mark with a new sign out front, renovating and upgrading the Drivers Lounge and the Repair Shop. He then kept the renovations moving through the office with new flooring, ceiling, lighting, paint, kitchenette and office furniture. Gene established relationships with lenders and business owners to upgrade to NEW MACK trucks and Carrier trailers, minimizing breakdowns on the road. This helped to retain and attract drivers to the OEX fleet. We were hitting the road safe and sound. In Spring of 2019, OEX made a local contract to deliver trailers of flowers to garden centers in an 8-state region. Gene diversified (again) and took a chance adding first three, then three more beautiful dry vans to deliver local furniture nationwide and he grew again in January of 2020 adding a Flatbed Division to deliver building materials. Gene’s dreams of growth and diversity, balancing products and seasons, especially through the COVID pandemic allowed Ohio Eastern Express to continue to grow!