TIDA Member Spotlight

The TIDA Member Spotlight will feature one member each month. The spotlighted member will share responses to interesting questions and non-work related photos to build connections among new and seasoned members. Anyone may propose a member to be spotlighted. The committee will alternate each month between industry and legal professionals to increase engagement among our organization. Members can nominate themselves or another member to be featured by sending your recommendation to Megan Early-Soppa, Member Communications Committee Chair.

January 2023

Joseph Newsom, Pat Salmon & Sons, Inc.

I was born in Flint, MI. I am the youngest of six children and the only boy. My family moved to Northeast Arkansas when I was young. I joined the Army and was attached to the military police. While in the Army, I lived in Berlin, Germany. After the military, I returned to Arkansas where I began a career in law enforcement. I have been active with fire fighting and was an EMT. I am married with 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. I have 2 grandchildren. In 1998, I began a second career in trucking safety with Pat Salmon and Sons. In 2019, 10 Roads Express acquired Pat Salmon.

How long have you been a member of TIDA and why is it important to you to be a member?

I believe I have been a member of TIDA for about 7-8 years.  Through TIDA, I have benefited from the networking.  This organization is focused on trucking defense, and through TIDA I have been able to make the acquaintance of individuals that have been extremely helpful in sharing their knowledge.  The TIDA network is very helpful when you have a situation that you would benefit from another member’s knowledge. 

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? Why?

I would love to collaborate with John Wayne, because as an actor he always portrayed the image of what America stood for and what it meant to be an American.

To date, what has been the most memorable case you have been involved? Why?

This accident happened my rookie year as a police officer in 1985.  This was a single vehicle accident that involved a young couple and their 6-month-old child.  This accident took the life of the mother and the child.  This accident has stayed with me all these years and still impacts me today.  I learned from this accident how fragile human life is and how important family is.

What advice would give to your 25-year old self?

I would tell myself to take more advise from the older people in your life and don’t fool yourself into thinking you have all the answers.

Where would I travel if there was a chance I could be there for up to a year?