National truck Drivers School is extremely proud to have had the opportunity to be of service to Mr. Preston Towns. Preston fought all the odds imaginable to achieve a goal. He makes all of pause and reflect upon our own personal riches and blessings. After reading Preston’s story below, originally published in the Fort Meyers News-Press, You may also find a deeper appreciation for life and all it has to offer. You may also come to believe that nothing is impossible if you make your mind up to do it.

 

Fort Myers native Preston Towns has two artificial legs, yet it didn’t keep him from getting a foot in the door at Krehling Industries. Once Towns, 45, got into the concrete business, he stuck as a ready-mix truck driver.

 

Despite his work ethic, many believed a marriage of prosthetics and truck driving was destined to end on the rocks. “Truthfully, I didn’t think he’d make it,’’ says Dave Bennett, Towns’ boss at Krehling. “I figured he’d have problems going up and down the ladder as much as we do. “But he’s been totally the opposite. Preston’s been one of our top workers.’’

 

Krehling hired Towns on April 24, 2003, after he became the first double amputee among more than 25,000 graduates of the National Truck Drivers School near Jacksonville.

 

“Preston hasn’t missed a day of work and when they try to get him to take a day off, he talks them out of it,’’ says Jerry Mount, National Truck Drivers School admissions counselor for the school.

 

Towns, a 1978 Riverdale High grad, lost his legs to gangrene in prison in 1989 after he was convicted of drug trafficking in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Towns wants to make up for time lost behind bars. “My leg swells up so bad I should call in, but I don’t,’’ he says. “Sometimes, I have to limp around the house for 15 minutes to get used to the pain. “I have a quota to hit: 60 to 65 hours, 5 and a half days a week. As long as I can walk, I’ll work.’’

Krehling likes what it sees in Towns, too. He has received three raises in his first year. “When people see you’re truly trying to help yourself, they’ll go out of their way to help you,’’ says Towns, who began dabbling in the stock market while in prison. “A lot of people didn’t think I would last, but I plan on being a millionaire by 2010.’’ Krehling Industries is Southwest Florida’s leader in the production and distribution of quality concrete products and building supplies.

Preston said his life turned around when he walked into Florida Rehabilitation Services. Supervisor Flora Gonzales introduced Preston to National Truck Drivers School Representative, Jerry Mount. Preston had to pass a rigorous physical exam and the Department of Transportation required a wavier for Preston. With wavier and DOT Physical in hand, Preston attended National Truck Drivers School in March of 2003.

 

National has an excellent graduate placement rate for its graduates. We help place a very high percentage of our graduates in meaningful, well-paying careers in the truck driving industry. Jerry Mount explained in clear detail to Preston that finding him employment in trucking would be difficult if not impossible due to his felonies and physical handicap.

 

Preston, knowing the probable outcomes, enrolled in the training anyway. He performed quite well and earned his class A CDL. Preston now had his license, but could he find a job?

 

Preston knocked on a lot of doors before he found Krehling. Krehling Industries was not deterred by Preston’s handicap or his past. Preston has yet to miss a single day’s work since his hiring date in June of 2003.

 

Preston is a beacon for us all, and truly an example of drive, perseverance, and tenacity. He represents truckers well, furthermore he represents all men well!

 

National Training salutes Preston Towns and awards him Graduate of the Month for June 2004.