Facilities maintenance manager reflects on the leap of faith that jump-started his Love’s career
Facilities maintenance manager reflects on the leap of faith that jump-started his Love’s career
Donnie Haire is on the road five days a week. His workweek starts on Sunday when he gets on a plane in Oklahoma City and flies to Tennessee. As Facilities Maintenance Manager, Haire makes sure the equipment is running properly at more than 60 locations in five states.
"When equipment fails, it doesn't just hurt our Customers, it hurts our employees as well," Haire said.
Haire's career at Love's began in his hometown of Haubstadt, Indiana. He was working part-time at one of the competitor stores when it was purchased by Love's as part of another truck stop merger.
"It was kind of scary at first," Haire said. "Most times with a buyout, companies clean house."
From microwaves to sinks and coolers, Donnie Haire makes sure the equipment is working at more than 60 Love's locations in five states.
"Love's has taken care of me for almost the last ten years," Donnie said. "They gave me the opportunity to move up."
Haire considered focusing solely on his full-time job, but he decided to give Love's a chance.After six months, Haire went full time as a Tire Care Technician at Love's 414 and left his other job behind.
"I assumed most of these guys moved up in the rankings, so I just went off that," Haire said.
Haire's can-do attitude caught the attention of his managers, who saw a lot of potential. Bobby Jones, who was his DM at the time, was never shy about offering feedback.
"He continued to coach me up, so I advanced a lot quicker than I expected," Haire said.
Over the next couple years, Haire would accept new responsibilities as Administrative Assistant, Shift Lead and then Tire Care Manager.
A big part of Haire's managerial role included traveling to struggling tire care shops and getting them back on track so they could get Customers back on the road as quickly as possible.
"It was kind of stressful at the beginning because you didn't know what you're walking into," Haire said.
Opening locations, including Love's 238 in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, was also a major responsibility.
"You're trying to train all of your guys and you're on call until they're all ready," Haire said.
Haire helps at the register during a busy morning at Love's 205 in Oklahoma City.
In 2016, Haire stepped into his current role, keeping an eye on equipment at stores, Speedcos, hotels and storage facilities.
"It was like a dream come true, honestly," Haire said. "I was hired on the spot after the interview."
Despite his busy work schedule, each year Haire takes the time to fundraise for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign. Through the years, he has helped donate thousands of dollars of his own money to the cause.
Haire was inspired by a former coworker whose child underwent three open heart surgeries at a CMN hospital.
"Kids are the future," Haire said. "They shouldn't have to worry about anything like that when being a kid."
For the 2018 campaign alone, Haire raised $13,000 for CMN while traveling from store to store.
Haire never hesitates to help the CMN campaign.
"I'm glad we do something to help other people," Haire said. "It's amazing, actually."
Haire admits his job hasn't always been easy, but the challenges have been rewarding.
"Love's has taken care of me for almost the last ten years," Donnie said. "They gave me the opportunity to move up."
For Haire, showing initiative and gaining knowledge have been the keys to success. His advice for any new employee can be summed up in a quote that he's lived by, from legendary baseball manager Tommy Lasorda: