A Few Minutes with Edgar Rivera

Edgar Rivera | Owner Operator | Rivera Lomeli Truck Lines

To Edgar Rivera, Willie Nelson’s On the Road Again is more than a classic Country song. The timeless anthem describes his daily life as owner/operator of a Chula Vista-based trucking company.

Thanks to the recent LISC Small Business Relief Grants Program, Edgar’s firm has returned to the road after enduring three months of severely reduced orders, causing concern that he might have to close if things got worse.

“I’ve had to take out loans just to survive,” he says, “so I’m very grateful to be selected. Now, I’m hoping work continues to pick up. Time will tell.”

Edgar launched Rivera Lomeli Truck Lines in 2015, a natural step after he learned the trucking trade as a driver for several years. His company now consists of two trucks that, when empty, weigh nearly 20,000 pounds and up to 80,000 pounds when filled with whatever he’s carrying.

A native San Diegan and graduate of Mt. Miguel High School, Edgar has spent the past 10 years as a trucker. After making hundreds of cross-country trips – he’s driven to and through 47 states – his weekly routes these days total about 6,000 miles.

Currently, his firm’s major contract is with Toyota’s Tacoma truck. All parts are made in the U.S., taken by rail to Los Angeles, then truckers like Edgar drive them to Tecate, site of a Toyota auto plant.

Prior to his trucking career, Edgar, 34, was a pipe-fitter at NASSCO and an independent electrician.

“I’ve done skilled trades, working for other people,” he says, “but it gives me a good feeling to have my own company. I’ve found my calling with trucking.”

Why did you start your own company?

After a few years of driving for someone else, I wanted to be more independent, be my own boss, so I decided to go out on my own and hire my own guys. I’ve got two trucks and I’m looking to buy a third.

When you first started trucking, what was your typical round trip?

I’d start my run at the terminal base in San Bernardino and then do round-trips, mostly to Oklahoma. I’d also go cross-country and back to Florida, New Jersey, and Connecticut. That went on for about three years until I got a local job, driving for another owner-operator.

What do you like most about driving a truck?

Just being independent, that sense of freedom. To me, there’s no feeling like being on the road.

What’s does it feel like to drive one of those big rigs?

In the beginning, it’s kind of mind-boggling because it’s like driving a huge tank. But after a few months, it’s like driving any other motorized vehicle, except a lot bigger. If you pay attention to what you’re doing, you get used to it.

What do you take pride in?

I’m just proud that I’m able to make a difference in people’s lives. Whether most people realize it or not, what we do is essential to the economy and truckers are productive members of society. We deliver cars, parts, food, equipment, fuel, beverages, electronics, paper goods -- pretty much everything that needs to go somewhere.

How has the LISC Small Business grant from Lowe’s helped you?

It’s helped sustain my business by meeting payroll for my drivers and covering registration fees for my trucks. Believe me, I was surprised, even shocked, to be selected. It’s kept me and my guys going.