As a railroad engineer, Tanner Connell worked long days and was constantly on call, stuck by his phone at all hours. After 12 years, he’d had enough, and decided to become his own boss.
Trucking had been part of Tanner’s life for many years; his parents run a ranch and trucking business, and his in-laws ranch and have a trucking operation as well, so stepping into the business seemed like a natural fit.
“I took a leap of faith and bought a truck,” said Tanner. “Switching careers was an adjustment, but there aren’t many days when I look back and wish I didn’t quit the railroad.”
He was able to make the transition in part due to financing from the Center for Rural Affairs. After his mother-in-law used the Center’s services to buy trailers for their trucking business, Tanner was introduced to Center staff who helped him with the loan process. He used that money to buy his first truck, and later on used additional financing from the Center to buy a trailer.
With his initial loan, Tanner opened Connell Trucking, LLC, in September 2017. Tanner and one other driver make up the Connell Trucking workforce, although over the past year and a half, Tanner has hired a few other drivers to help him out.
They haul a variety of loads including cattle trailers and hay on flatbed trailers. Tanner also is on lease with his father-in-law’s trucking business, and helps him haul livestock feed.
“We run from North Dakota to Texas, and stay west of the Mississippi,” he said. “Me and my guy generally stay within 1,000 miles from home.”
Tanner also has received technical assistance from the Center to understand and use QuickBooks software to manage his business more efficiently. Anthony Gurrola, loan specialist with the Center, has helped Tanner with this process.
"Tanner has been very forward-thinking in his approach to his business,” said Anthony. “He has thought extensively about where he wants his business to be and strives to take his family’s work ethic and make it work even better for him and his operation.”
Connell Trucking has maintained steady business since opening, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While similar businesses have not been able to stay afloat, Tanner has picked up the work others haven’t been able to cover.
For now, he says, his business is the size he wants it to be, although he hasn’t ruled out expanding at some point, and he knows he can count on the Center for further assistance when that day comes.
“I’ve talked to Center staff about building a shop for my trucks, so maybe I’ll borrow more money for that eventually,” he said. “Working with the Center has been good.”
At a glance
Connell Trucking, LLC
Tanner Connell
2100 Division St., Whitney, Nebraska 69367
308.430.3403
Hours: can be contacted at any time
