10-4 Magazine August 2023

38 10-4 Magazine / August 2023 in Hudsonville, MI, was formed by Tom, Jake Honderds, Ryan Van Haitsma, Reid Stroven, and Bobbi Jo Hill. Sadly, they lost their friend on February 27, 2022, but continued the show, having their 4th annual event in June of this year. Proceeds went to benefit “92 for 22” out of west Michigan, a non-profit organization that helps raise awareness for PTSD, veteran suicide, and aids veterans in need. Mark your calendars for their 2024 show, which will be held June 7-8, 2024. I met Tom and Katie (they got married in December 2003) for the first time at the 2018 Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show in St. Ignace, MI. Today, Tom and Katie reside in a more rural area of Holland, MI with their three children, daughter Jamie (14), daughter Korie (13), and son Jace (10). The oldest, Jamie, is the one that a passerby would most likely see in the passenger seat, as she loves riding with her dad in the truck. Special thanks from Tom to the most influential person in his life, his father, for being an amazing role model in showing him what it means to be a professional driver, how to conduct himself out on the road, gave him his solid work ethic, and taught him how important attention to detail is. Tom appreciates his dad for believing in him, all the support, and patience through all his mistakes and learning curves in the industry. Also, thank you from Tom to Dave Van Haitsma for the opportunities, the beautiful truck he gets to drive, the friendship, and for being a great boss. Big thanks to the backbone of Tom’s family, his wife Katie, who is the glue that holds the family together and keeps Tom grounded. Her heart, passion, kindness, and understanding seem to be unending. She is an amazing mother, and, with a smile, Tom said, “There is no better wife. How do you even put it into words when someone asks about your wife, when she makes every single day of your life better!” Thank you to Tom and Katie for the friendship over the years and welcoming me into your home. Thank you Dave Van Haitsma for enabling this opportunity, for all your time, and for being a role model. Shout out to Dave and Sandy Helder and Jeff and Tammy Siegers for the use of your properties to photograph the truck. We all search for a work environment we can take pride in and be passionate about – and Tom has found that! As always, to all the drivers out there doing the deal, truck safe. n