Episode 78: Driver Appreciation Week: Family Values, Communication, and Keeping Trucking Personal with Derek Kivi

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi welcomes his brother, Derek Kivi, CEO of Kivi Bros. Trucking, for a candid conversation about what Driver Appreciation Week really means on and off the calendar. They open with timely housekeeping on tire chain season - especially Colorado’s I-70 west of Denver - and why preparation, equipment, and quick walk-arounds matter. From there, Tyler spotlights a strong August across driver specialists, CSRs, and drivers, framing appreciation as more than free lunches; it’s about daily respect, clear expectations, and setting drivers up to earn. Tyler and Derek dig into how technology has reshaped shipping and receiving - from barcode check-ins to app-driven workflows - and the mixed impact that has on drivers navigating different facilities, rules, and layouts. The throughline is communication: calling ahead, confirming protocols, and sharing updates early and often to prevent ripple-effect delays. Derek also explains how family values show up at Kivi Bros. Trucking through leadership by example: weekend yard work, proactive load adjustments, and staying close to the details so drivers can move safely, legally, and profitably. The episode closes on a lighter note with Derek’s first car, the trucking songs that stick, and the advice he’d give his 18-year-old self about focus and discipline. Throughout, the message is consistent: drivers are the heartbeat of this industry. Appreciation shouldn’t be confined to a week; it should be embedded in how companies plan, communicate, and lead every day.