Henry Albert
“The road teaches you patience, persistence, and pride in a job well done. When I see how I’ve been able to help others improve their business, there’s nothing quite like it.”
With more than four decades in the industry, Henry Albert has built his career on professionalism, efficiency, and a deep respect for trucking. As the owner-operator of Albert Transport, Inc. and a long-standing Team Run Smart Pro, Henry brings his expertise as a one-man operation to other drivers around the world.
Meet Henry Albert: Master of Professionalism, Performance, and the Open Road
Beginning His Career
Henry’s path into trucking didn’t begin behind the wheel—it started in a chicken processing plant in New Holland, Pennsylvania. As a group leader at Weaver’s Chicken, he learned logistics, operations, and how to solve problems under pressure. Even then, his heart was always drawn to things with wheels and an engine: trucks, trains, anything that moved.
“When a driving position opened in the Weaver Foods division, taking the chance to transition from the plant into driving just made sense.”
Thus, his driving career began in 1983, and he learned quickly that drivers shape customer perception more than anyone else. That belief became a guiding principle: drivers are the most important salespeople a company has. Early in his career, Henry saved a major account by identifying a product issue no one else had caught. That moment cemented his philosophy of an active, hands-on approach to professionalism.
In 1996 he bought his first truck, earned his operating authority, and founded Albert Transport, Inc., which he continues to run today. Throughout his career, Henry has stuck to driving for private carriers and his own business, where accountability and service are personal.
Henry’s Current Route
Today, Henry treats trucking as both a profession and a passion. He runs consistent routes that allow him to build strong customer relationships and create dependable service. His 2022 Freightliner Cascadia®, named Celeste, wears a bold blue-and-gold design inspired by Art Deco styling and Freightliner’s heritage. The colors symbolize his philosophy: a blue ribbon and a gold medal for first-place excellence. Soon, Henry will add a Fifth Generation Cascadia to his operation, taking another step toward making his business even more efficient.
Aside from performance and productivity, Henry’s love of trucking comes from the experience itself: the scenery, the people, and the rhythm of day-to-day driving. For Henry, the road is his office.
“I find it funny that people often ask, ‘How do you drive so many hours?’ Meanwhile, they’re sitting in a cubicle. I’m sitting in a cubicle with a way, way, way better view.”
With such passion for his career, Henry admits he’s a workaholic. Balancing personal time isn’t easy, but he aims to be home twice a week and finds genuine fulfillment in helping others succeed. Whether at truck stops or industry events, drivers regularly seek his advice on fuel efficiency or truck specs, and Henry is always happy to help.
Why Team Run Smart?
Henry’s relationship with Freightliner began long before he represented the brand. Early in his career, he noticed that the most successful fleets ran Freightliners. When he became an independent driver responsible for every minute of uptime, he wanted a truck backed by reliable service and strong support.
“When big fleets are loyal to a brand, there’s a reason behind it,” he says.
In addition to driving a Freightliner, Henry became involved as a brand ambassador. After he was named Overdrive Magazine’s Owner-Operator of the Year in 2007, a conversation with Freightliner Vice President Mike Delaney led to his involvement in the Slice of Trucker Life program, an early predecessor to Team Run Smart.
Henry was selected not only because of his record but also for his meticulous approach to fuel efficiency, his strong customer service reputation, and his commitment to educating others. Representing Freightliner is a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. He takes pride in showcasing the brand’s innovation and history, especially in carrying out its “Efficient Machine” legacy.
“What keeps me motivated? Helping others succeed, staying professional, and representing my sponsors well. That’s the real reward.”
Advice for the Next Generation
After decades on the road, Henry has a few key messages for the future generation of drivers:
• Professionalism matters more than you think.
First impressions count, including appearance, demeanor, and communication. Drivers represent their customers, carriers, and themselves every time they step out of the cab.
• Embrace change, don’t resist it.
Strive to see every new rule or regulatory shift as an opportunity to outperform competitors, rather than as a setback.
• Your job is problem-solving.
Great drivers communicate issues early, catch problems others miss, and strengthen customer relationships through proactive service.
• Share what you know.
Mentorship improves the industry. Helping someone spec a truck or improve fuel mileage creates ripple effects that benefit everyone.
Follow Along
Looking ahead, Henry plans to continue mentoring, supporting engineering teams with real-world insights, and staying active in the industry he loves until retirement.
“Even after decades behind the wheel, the changing seasons and early sunrises still feel like new opportunities,” he says.
And with every mile, he continues to prove it.
Keep up with Team Run Smart for more content from Henry and the Pros!
Watch “Henry Albert's First Freightliner Journey: From a 1996 FLD to Cascadia.”
