Meet The Team
Our Drivers!
Delivering the goods every day!
Our drivers are the backbone of our business. Day in and day out, they're on the road, ensuring that our customers' products are delivered safely and on time.
To maintain the highest level of service, we only hire veteran drivers who demonstrate exceptional work ethic and possess a safe driving history. Our customers can have complete confidence that their products are in good hands.
We appreciate your trust and look forward to providing you with top-notch service.
Founder
Val Stokes
Stokes Trucking was established by Val and Julie Stokes with just one truck in 1979, and they remain actively engaged in the business to this day. Val and Julie have played an active role in the Utah Trucking Association, as well as supporting a range of non-profit organizations such as African Vision of Hope and the Travis Mills Foundation. They express gratitude and take pride in their lifelong involvement in the crucial trucking industry. Modeling servant leadership, Val was awarded the 2019 Utah Trucking Associations Presidents Award for his superior contributions to the industry and association
COO/Director of Finanace
Ty Walker III
At Stokes Trucking, Ty's versatility and expertise have been instrumental in helping our company adapt and thrive. Having previously served as a driver and Safety Director for two years, Ty now oversees all aspects of our financial operations, including accounts payable, receivables, and payroll. His ability to quickly transition between roles and handle any task presented to him has been an invaluable asset as we've continued to grow and evolve as a company. We're fortunate to have Ty on our team, and his dedication and adaptability have been integral to our success.
Director of Compliance
Mark Adams
With over 30 years of experience in transportation, Mark is a seasoned expert in the industry. He has spent the majority of his professional career as a Compliance Director, ensuring that our operations are in full compliance with industry regulations and standards. Mark's dedication to safety and compliance has not gone unnoticed, as he was recently honored as the 2022 Safety Director of the Year by the Utah Trucking Association. His wealth of knowledge and expertise has been invaluable to our team, and we're grateful to have him on board. Mark's commitment to excellence and his tireless efforts to ensure the safety and success of our operations are a true asset to our company.
Director of Operations
Carlton Goddard IV
Carlton (Cort) Goddard serves as Director of Operations at Stokes Trucking, where he oversees all aspects of fleet management, dispatch, and operational performance. Since joining the team, Cort has demonstrated strong leadership and an ability to drive results across the organization. Originally from Malad, ID, he brings a wealth of industry experience, including his previous role as a logistics specialist with a major provider. Cort now resides in Tremonton with his wife and two children.
Director of Retention and Recruiting
Rusty Hollahan
Rusty Hollahan brings over 20 years of experience in the transportation industry to his role as Director of Retention and Recruiting at Stokes Trucking. With a background deeply rooted in operations, Rusty has developed a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities that drivers face, making him uniquely qualified to connect with and support the Stokes Trucking team. His ability to build strong relationships, coupled with his experience managing both drivers and logistics, enables him to effectively recruit top talent while focusing on retention strategies that keep drivers engaged and satisfied. Rusty's leadership is complemented by his passion for creating a positive and supportive work environment, ensuring that Stokes Trucking continues to attract and retain the best in the industry. Additionally, his personal connection to the company, being married to Janis Hollahan, who oversees operations for the eastern region, further deepens his commitment to the company's success.
Utah/Idaho Operations Manager
Scott Bakker
With over two decades of experience in the transportation industry, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. Since joining us in early 2020, he has proven to be an invaluable addition to our operations. Scott is responsible for assigning outbound loads, managing our local deliveries, and dispatching our local drivers. His attention to detail and dedication to excellence have been essential in ensuring that our operations run smoothly and our customers receive the highest level of service. Scott's contributions to our team have been instrumental in our success.
Midwest Operations Manager
Janis Hollahan
Janis Hollahan brings over 20 years of expertise in dispatch and logistics to Stokes Trucking. Her extensive experience has made her an invaluable asset to our team. Janis is responsible for managing all operations for loads that pick up or deliver east of Utah, ensuring efficient and timely transportation. Her deep understanding of logistics, combined with her dedication to customer satisfaction, enables her to effectively coordinate complex routes and schedules. Janis’s commitment to excellence plays a crucial role in maintaining our high standards of service and reliability across the eastern region.
West Coast Operations Manager
Mike Richardson
Mike Richardson brings over 35 years of experience in the transportation industry to Stokes Trucking. Much of his career was spent as a professional driver, giving him valuable firsthand insight into the challenges of the road and the needs of drivers and customers alike. Over the past 13 years, Mike has also worked in dispatch, combining his driving experience with operational expertise. Mike oversees freight moving between Utah and key destinations throughout the western United States, while also coordinating return loads back to Utah. His extensive industry knowledge and practical experience help ensure efficient operations and dependable service for both drivers and customers.
Safety Coordinator
Joey Wolford
Joey Wolford serves as Safety Coordinator at Stokes Trucking, supporting the company’s safety and compliance programs under the direction of Safety Director Mark Adams. In this role, he monitors hours-of-service activity, reviews Samsara safety events, and helps maintain audit-ready driver qualification files while working with drivers to resolve HOS issues and track expiring credentials.
Joey also helps coordinate driver performance reviews across safety, maintenance, and operations, monitors Sentix driver training completion, and assists in identifying safety trends across the fleet. A graduate of Utah State University with a business degree and an IBM AI certificate, Joey brings a detail-oriented, data-driven approach to safety compliance.
Director of Maintenance
Troy Jensen
Troy Jensen's lifelong exposure to the trucking industry has given him a unique and comprehensive understanding of the business. With over 30 years of driving experience under his belt, Troy is a trusted and respected member of our team. In his current role, he plays a critical part in keeping our fleet running smoothly, tracking upcoming maintenance on our trucks and trailers. Furthermore, Troy's expertise in route planning and fuel management is invaluable to our drivers, as he helps them find the most efficient and economical routes and refueling options. We're fortunate to have Troy's wealth of knowledge and experience at our disposal, and his contributions to our team have been invaluable.
Lead Maintenance Technician
Dusty Nelson
With over 40 years of experience working on heavy duty trucks, Dusty is a highly skilled and experienced mechanic. In his role at our Tremonton, UT location, he's responsible for all light duty maintenance and repairs on our equipment. We're incredibly grateful to have Dusty on our team, as his expertise and dedication have been essential in ensuring our fleet remains in top condition. His commitment to quality and attention to detail is second to none, and we can always count on him to keep us up and rolling.
Adminstrative Assistant
Alexis Penrod
Alexis Penrod brings precision and attention to detail to her role as Data Entry Specialist at Stokes Trucking. With a strong background in data management, Alexis excels in ensuring the accurate and timely entry of crucial information that supports the company’s operations. Her expertise in working with complex data systems, along with her keen eye for detail, ensures that customer load information, driver records, and other key data are flawlessly maintained. Alexis’s organizational skills and dedication to accuracy are key assets that enhance the efficiency of Stokes Trucking’s administrative processes, making her an invaluable part of the team.
CEO & Managing Partner
Mark Lawver
Mark Lawver serves as CEO & Managing Partner of Stokes Trucking, where he focuses on setting the company’s long-term direction, developing its leadership team, and driving strategic growth. He leads the company’s sales efforts, building relationships with shippers and visiting customer facilities to understand their needs before connecting them with the operations team to ensure exceptional service. Mark continues to visit customers regularly to strengthen partnerships and identify new opportunities.
Under Mark’s leadership, Stokes Trucking remains focused on disciplined growth while maintaining its reputation for premium service in food transportation, strong driver retention, and industry-leading safety. His roots in trucking began behind the wheel, where he logged more than one million safe miles as a professional driver, and he still drives today. Mark is active in leadership with the Utah Trucking Association and has driven the Utah State football equipment truck for multiple seasons, continuing his connection to the road and the university.
"Doing the right thing since 1979"
