L.A. Xpress Changes Its Name to Cal State Xpress

By now, you have probably seen the Press Release or heard about our name change. The name change to Cal State Xpress was prompted by our desire to better describe the services that we offer to our customers. When we first started operations in 1986 we were a local, Los Angeles based carrier specializing in Consolidation and Distribution services.

In mid 1989 we made the decision to enlarge our Intrastate California PUC business. We increased our Sales, Operations and Executive staffs and set out to make our mark on the Intrastate market. As our operation and customer base grew and diversified, we found ourselves providing statewide LTL and Truckload services, Drayage from the rail ramps and ports in addition to Consolidations and Distribution services to all points in the State of California.

In 1989 we opened a terminal in San Diego, in 1992 we opened our terminal in the San Francisco Bay area and in 1998 we opened a terminal in Fresno to better serve our "Central Valley" customers. The South Gate facility, with over 4 acres of terminal, shop area and corporate headquarters, replaced the original Vernon, CA site in January of 1994.

In 1995 an offshoot venture was created to repair refrigerated trailers and provide "pre-trip" services as well as general repair. Xpress Trailer Repair, Inc. (XTR) clearly filled a need and was very well received by customers.

And now we're changing our name to Cal State Xpress to better describe the services we offer. With increased EDI capabilities and enhanced document imaging systems, Cal State Xpress is well positioned to meet the more sophisticated needs of its customers.

We thank all of our customers for their continued business and support. The process of changing our name will take some time, so you will be seeing both L.A. Xpress and Cal State Xpress over the next few months. Our employees, and their dedication to Quality Service, will not change. We have always understood that our business is driven by the needs of our customers.

Cal State Xpress Driver Santos Farias Wins CTA Truck Driving Championship

Jose "Santos" Farias is the winner of the California Trucking Association (CTA) Year 2000 California Truck Driving Championship in the Straight Truck class. The State Finals competition was held on Sunday June 11th, 2000 at the Port of Sacramento in West Sacramento.

Santos Farias started by competing in the Southern Regional competition that was held on May 6th, 2000 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach. He competed with over 300 other Southern California drivers for the 27 entries into the State Finals, Santos finished 3rd in his class. The top three drivers are selected from nine different "Classes". These are: Straight Truck (Bobtail), Tractor and Semitrailer (3-axle), Tractor and Tandem-Axle Trailer (4-axle), Tractor and Tandem-Axle Semitrailer (5-axle), Tractor and Flatbed Semitrailer (5-axle), Auto Transport, Tractor and Two Trailers (van), Tractor and Semitrailer Tanker (5-axle) and Tractor and Semitrailer Sleeper Berth (5-axle). Santos competed in the Straight Truck (Bobtail) class.

The Northern Regional competition, where over 300 drivers competed for 27 entries to the State Finals, was held in West Sacramento on Saturday June 10th, 2000. On Sunday June 11th, 2000 the 54 top drivers in California competed for the honor of being the "Best of the Best". The Finals competition is made up of a written test, oral interview and driving test. When the results were totaled, Santos Farias was in first place by 19 points in his division.

Santos' next competition will be the National Truck Driving Championships, which are scheduled for August 9-11, 2000 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Santos, Mike Wichert, President of Cal State Xpress and Gene Stephens, Corporate Operations Analyst are going to the National event. As with the other events, the contestants will be judged on a written exam, personal interview, pre-trip review and a driving skill test.

Santos lives in the Riverside area with his wife, Idolina and their four children. He has been with L.A. Xpress A&D, Inc. / Cal State Xpress for over 10 years. Both his co-workers and customers appreciate his professionalism, character and high standards. Santos Farias worked very hard to earn this prestigious award. All of us at Cal State Xpress are honored to work with the "Best of the Best", Jose Santos Farias, California Trucking Association Year 2000 Truck Driving Champion.

Congratulations to Dave Lobato and Jon England

Our hearty congratulations to two very deserving employees of Cal State Xpress. First, Dave Lobato was named Director of Operations and is now working out of the corporate offices in South Gate. If you saw our last "Reporter" you will remember Dave from the story about the driver who suffered a heart attack at our Oakland dock. Dave is an outstanding individual who brings with him a high level of professionalism and dedication. Welcome to South Gate and congratulations on your well-deserved promotion.

Taking over the operation of our Oakland terminal is Jon England. Jon has been with us since February 1995. He started in the dispatch office and was promoted to Assistant Terminal Manager in 1999. Jon has been a key individual and is a valuable part of our Oakland Team. His promotion to Terminal Manager is well deserved. Congratulations on your promotion.

Jack Kermath Announces His Retirement

It is with mixed feelings that we announce the retirement of Jack Kermath, our long time Terminal Manager in San Diego. On one hand we will be sad to see our friend and co-worker leave the company. On the other hand, we are happy that Jack and his wife Clara will now have the opportunity to spend their days enjoying their retirement. Jack has enjoyed flying radio controlled model planes for many years and enjoys working with his wife in the garden.

Jack was hired as a salesman in our San Diego terminal in June 1989. In July 1990 he was promoted to Terminal Manager and has held that position ever since. Jack has spent many years in this industry. He worked for G.I. Trucking for over 20 years. He started with them as a dockworker, moved up to driver, then dispatch and finally Terminal Manager.

Over the years Jack has used his experience to train and educate his employees. But more than his experience, Jack has used his strong work ethic, professionalism and high values to set an example for others to follow. Jack has done a wonderful job for us and will truly be missed. Best wishes to you, Clara, your children and grandchildren on your retirement. I have a feeling that between Clara and your grandkids you will keep very busy.

Never Assume Anything

A doctor's telephone rang one night, awakening him from a fitful slumber. It was one of his regular patients, a young man in a wild state of alarm. "My wife, Doctor!" he shouted. "It's her appendix. You'd better come right away!"

The doctor sighed and told the young man to go back to bed. "Give her some bicarbonate or ginger ale, and I'll call you in the morning," he said. "She doesn't have appendicitis."

The husband became even wilder, insisting that she did too have appendicitis. "Well, she can't have appendicitis!" the doctor shouted. "I took her appendix out three years ago, and I have never heard of anyone having two appendixes."

"Ever hear of anyone having two wives?" the young man asked bitterly.