Jimmy Nevarez
"Starting from scratch allowed me to see the industry full circle, from my days behind the wheel to now owning my own fleet."
Founder and owner of Angus Transportation, Jimmy Nevarez built his career from the ground up. With 23 years in the industry, he’s represented Freightliner as a Team Run Smart Pro since 2012, sharing his experience as a former driver and current fleet owner. An expert in operations, logistics, and driver management, he helps others keep their trucks—and their businesses—moving in the right direction.
Meet Jimmy Nevarez: Fleet Owner, Veteran, and Mentor to the Next Generation
Beginning His Career
Jimmy was always drawn to the freedom of the open road. After enlisting in the U.S. Navy at 17 and traveling throughout the Western Pacific, he returned home eager to keep exploring, but this time from behind the wheel. After earning his CDL, he began his trucking career by driving for a large carrier.
“Looking out the windshield for a living meant I had an office that changed every day. It was the constant shift in scenery that I craved,” he says.
Those early years as a driver gave Jimmy hands-on experience in freight handling, operations, and customer relations. As he grew in his role, his OPS manager—nearing retirement—recognized Jimmy’s potential and encouraged him to pursue leadership. With support from his employer, Jimmy went back to school and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, graduating with honors.
In 2010, he took the next step of becoming a fleet owner and launched Angus Transportation in Southern California. Starting with a single truck and a focus on local and regional hauling, he gradually expanded into a seven-truck fleet built on reliability, strong customer relationships, and a thoughtful approach to fleet management.
The Day-to-Day of a Fleet Owner
Today, Jimmy runs his business from behind the desk instead of the dash. His fleet’s lineup includes third and fourth generation Cascadia® trucks. While his role has shifted from driver to owner, his passion for trucking hasn’t wavered.
“I always say that I traded in my 9-to-5 a long time ago for a 5-to-9. We’ve got trucks running virtually five to six days a week and all hours of the day,” says Jimmy.
He’s typically up before dawn and stays alert through late hours, always ready to step in where needed. Fleet ownership brings a steady stream of responsibilities, from GPS tracking to dispatch scheduling.
“It’s a lot of putting out fires,” he shares, “but that’s what keeps it interesting.”
When he’s not managing day-to-day operations, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his family, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, and especially going to Disneyland. He lives by a “work hard, play hard” mindset, while recognizing the importance of balance.
“Working hard is part of who I am, but taking time to recharge makes me a better leader. You can’t take care of your team if you don’t take care of yourself.”
No matter how busy things get, Jimmy stays grounded and keeps his priorities straight.
Why Team Run Smart?
Jimmy is one of the original Team Run Smart Pros, chosen for his operational expertise and strong industry reputation. He has represented Freightliner for more than a decade, sharing insights with drivers and fleet owners nationwide. In the early days of being a Pro, he’d typically be recognized by drivers at trade shows asking for advice. Today, focus has shifted closer to home, mentoring local fleet owners who want to grow responsibly and sustainably.
“I’m always motivated by knowing that I have a helping hand in keeping people supplied and communities moving.”
Jimmy’s proud to represent a brand that supports his mindset. He values Freightliner’s technology, including tools like Detroit® Connect, which sends real-time alerts when a driver’s check-engine light comes on, and geofencing, which tracks equipment and provides transparent customer updates. Innovations like these promote the same efficiency, safety, and accountability that built Angus Transportation.
“It’s important to know where equipment is these days,” he says. “Not only to combat theft, but also to give transparent updates to customers and build trust with those waiting on the loads.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
As a veteran driver and fleet owner, Jimmy believes that success in trucking comes from combining old-school wisdom with new-school tools.
“The day you think you know everything about trucking is the day you need to hang up your keys,” he says. “There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a better business practice or a new safety system.”
Here’s what he suggests to new drivers and aspiring fleet owners:
· Grow your business the right way, not just the fast way.
· Build trust and successful relationships through communication.
· Use technology to stay proactive.
· Balance hard work with family and time to recharge.
Follow Along
Jimmy proves every day that purposeful leadership and adaptability drive long-term success in trucking. Be sure to keep up with his Team Run Smart content for more of his expert advice, smart fleet strategies, and highlights of his favorite Freightliner innovations.