Alexander Hannett found the road to happiness began with getting his commercial driver’s license at Laurel Ridge in spring 2022.
Although he had earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from a private university in Florida, Hannett discovered that his hefty investment didn’t pay off for him and found himself working for food delivery apps in the Warrenton area.
“That’s where I found my love of driving,” he said.
Hannett realized he would like to go into the truck driving industry, but didn’t think he could afford the education required to earn his CDL. While Googling, he came across the Virginia FastForward program, which covers two-thirds of the tuition costs for high-demand fields.
“I decided if I was able to qualify for FastForward funding, I would be able to do the CDL program,” said Hannett, who did qualify for the funding through Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions. “I loved it. I credit a lot of what I’m able to do out here and my successes to the program, especially the knowledge and the day-to-day safety.”
Not only is he making close to six figures, Hannett is enjoying the opportunity to explore the U.S. and Canada as he hauls tankers for Atlantic Bulk Carrier. Some of his loads are dry bulk, while others include hazardous materials, including sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, petroleum resin, carbon and ammonium chloride.
Hannett is in his second year hauling for Atlantic Bulk Carrier, and has seen his salary grow quickly.
“I wanted to travel the country and the continent,” he said of his decision to do over-the-road trucking.
The extra disposable income, as well as the ability to save more money, Hannett receives in his occupation are “mind blowing,” he said. Because he is back in Richmond for only a few days each month, he doesn’t have a lease, saying it’s more economical to stay in a hotel instead.
During his mandatory breaks from driving, Hannett enjoys renting a car and exploring national parks, taking pictures and camping. He has also gotten to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines across the U.S. and Canada. Hannett has been to 40 states and to five Canadian provinces. The materials he carries are used in a variety of industries, from nuclear reactors, to paper products, to asphalt, to water bottle manufacturing, to pharmaceuticals.
“With this job, I have a bird’s-eye view and a macroeconomic view of the entire economy,” noted Hannett. “I’m so grateful and blessed to see how my efforts are affecting the overall economy every day. It’s very rewarding.
“Trucking is definitely a lifestyle. My life is on the road. I love it.”
He said he is especially grateful to the trainers he has had: driver trainer Kenneth Johnson with Roehl Transports Dry Van Division, and certified trainers Jeff Phillips and Dante Bonner with Atlantic Bulk Carrier.
Atlantic Bulk Carrier Vice President Ward Best has been impressed with Hannett’s performance and attitude.
“Alex is very conscientious about his job, he’s detail oriented and he’s also inquisitive,” said Best. “He will ask questions, not just about the job, but things that are related to the job. That will in turn help him in the field, and help him keep interested in what he’s doing, help him succeed in day-to-day operations.”
Atlantic has about 150 or so drivers and is based in Providence Forge, outside of Richmond.
“There’s a high demand for truck drivers,” Best said. “There’s an even higher demand for good drivers. Alex brings a level of professionalism to what he does that makes him one of these good drivers.”
When he was younger, Hannett never expected he would one day be a truck driver.
“When I was growing up, I basically took the route that you were ‘supposed’ to take,” he said, which was attend a four-year university. “I wish that I had been exposed to [vocational options] more in high school.”
“The best investment I ever made was Laurel Ridge,” added Hannett. “Two-and-a-half years later, and it’s just mind boggling. Part of it is working hard, and a big part of it is the actual education and the guidance the college offered.”
To learn more about how you can earn a CDL at Laurel Ridge, visit laurelridgeworkforce.com/CDL.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.