RECOGNIZING TODD CASE TRUCKING Speaker: Senator Rand Paul Publication: Congressional Record Date: 29 September 2022 Topic: Todd Case Trucking |
Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Todd Case Trucking of Louisa, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Todd Case, owner of Todd Case Trucking, is the classic definition of a self-made man. Though he now owns a fleet of around 30 trucks, in addition to other business ventures, his trucking business bares his own name in reflection of how the company began: a time when Todd Case served as his own boss and was the company's sole employee. He got his start in the trucking business earlier than most when he bought his first truck at 17. That was back in the early 1980s when, like many men in the region, Mr. Case was working for the owner of a coal mine. Mr. Case had already saved up several hundred dollars from his work cutting weeds when he overheard the owner of the mine talk about his plans to sell the truck he had been using to haul coal. When Mr. Case first approached his employer about buying the truck, the owner of the mine said no, insisting that Mr. Case instead attend college. With great ingenuity Mr. Case replied that buying the truck would allow him to attend college, as it would give him a means to not only pay for his tuition but give him some income to subside on while in school. Won over by his entrepreneurial argument, the owner agreed to sell his truck to Mr. Case and accepted his down payment of $1,800. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Case found himself attending the University of Kentucky, driving the rig on Tuesday and Thursday nights while he pursued his degree in accounting and finance. Throughout his college career, Mr. Case was no spendthrift, saving what money he could from his trucking work while putting himself through college. By his sophomore year, Mr. Case had saved enough money to convince a local bank to lend him the funds he needed to buy a second truck. This acquisition which took place during his sophomore year proved to be the first step on a long and industrious path of growth in his business. Today, Mr. Case's fleet of trucks services Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia, bringing much-needed goods to the tri-State area. Moreover, Todd Case Trucking plays a vital role in the local economy as Kentucky, once famous for its burgeoning coal industry, now looks towards other economic opportunities to employ the citizens of the Commonwealth. Mr. Case, originally hailing from Pikeville, understands the need to provide Kentuckians with more diverse work opportunities, and that is why his Louisa-based business employs all its drivers exclusively from the Bluegrass State. Though Mr. Case has since expanded his business portfolio by owning several other businesses in addition to his venture in the trucking industry, he maintains a watchful eye over Todd Case Trucking. Always keeping his community in mind, Todd Case Trucking partners with the local chapter of Masons to host an annual event called ``Fishing For Kids.'' This fishing competition welcomes children of all ages and provides close to 300 toys to all participants, many of those toys being bicycles and fishing rods. As an active member of the local chapter of the Masons, Mr. Case also lends a generous hand to all the local high school football and baseball teams when they are in need of additional funding. Moreover, Mr. Case currently sits on the board of trustees of University of Kentucky, and he works to ensure all students have the same bountiful opportunities that his alma mater provided him. Todd Case Trucking bares a similar history to many other businesses in Kentucky and the Appalachia region; when the bounty provided by coal came and went, this business grew out of the remains and blossomed into a successful venture and fountain of opportunity for the local community. Mr. Case has long had a determined nature and knack for ingenuity, which is why he first became an entrepreneur as a high school student. In the decades since, Mr. Case has grown into a successful businessman and a great steward of his community. Congratulations to Todd Case and the entire team at Todd Case Trucking. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Kentucky.