Dennis Gavin, President / CEO
Employed Since: January 1978
E-mail: dennisg@caledoniahaulers.com
Dennis has been with Caledonia Haulers since the company’s creation in 1958. His father, Joe Gavin, was one of the original founders of the company. Dennis started working in the shop, moved to driving when he became of age, and then advanced to dispatcher. Dennis became a stockholder in 1985, and was promoted to President & CEO in 1995. Dennis is very hands-on as he is involved with every aspect of the business. He can be found in his office almost every day and always practices an “open door” policy.
Out of the office, Dennis enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, and can often be found out at the farm working with his cattle.
Jo Beardmore, Receptionist
Employed Since: Aug 1995
Jo is the first voice you hear most days if you call in to our main office. Jo is also our paper log auditor and works closely with drivers if any log issues are found.
When away from Caledonia she spends most of her time with her family and enjoys baking.
Paul “Wally” Gavin, Operations / Dispatch
Employed Since: May 1990
E-mail: paulg@caledoniahaulers.com
The son of a founder, Wally has been around Caledonia Haulers since he was just a young boy. As his last name suggests, he is the brother of Dennis, the company’s President/CEO. He started his career with Caledonia Haulers as a driver, later converting to dispatch. Wally has excellent customer relations, making him an important part of our operations team.
When away from the office, Wally enjoys spending hours touring the area on his Harley. Don’t be surprised to see him riding by!
Zach Mierau, Operations / Dispatch
Employed Since: November 2004
E-mail: zachm@caledoniahaulers.com
Zach got his start with Caledonia Haulers as a company driver. His father, a past driver for Caledonia Haulers, taught him to drive on weekends. Eventually, Zach went on the road before transitioning into dispatch in 2006. In 2007 he graduated from Winona State University with a business administration degree.
On his days off, Zach enjoys being a husband, father, and occasionally helps his father-in-law farm.
Aaron Folsom, Freight Coordinator / Dispatcher
Employed Since: June 1993
E-mail: aaronf@caledoniahaulers.com
Aaron has been an employee of Caledonia Haulers for over 18 years. Up until July of 2004, he was a dedicated company driver. Wanting to spend more time with his young family, he moved into the role of dispatcher, eventually adding freight coordinating to the list.
In his off-time Aaron is a volunteer firefighter in Eitzen and enjoys time with his family. He has a positive attitude and is always willing to help other departments.
Daryl Pruka, Freight Coordinator / Dispatch
Employed Since: September 1994
E-mail: darylp@caledoniahaulers.com
In addition to Freight Coordinator, Daryl is known as our company prankster: with a good attitude and smile always on his face. Daryl has one of the longest daily commutes from Rushford, MN. He works well with customers and other team members to ensure that our operations work as smoothly as possible. A dedicated office member, he can also be found delivering a load if necessary.
Daryl is a proud grandpa and enjoys spending time with his family and can also be found spending time cutting wood or occasionally riding his Harley Davidson.
Chris Lueck, Dispatcher
Employed Since: October 1995
E-mail: chrisl@caledoniahaulers.com
Shortly after being named our 2003 Driver of the Year, Chris joined the dispatch team in the summer of 2007. He has been employed at Caledonia Haulers since 1995 and in that time was also a “driver trainer” for several years. He can still be found driving milk route some weekends.
He currently resides in Caledonia where you can often see him at local sporting events, supporting his favorite teams. Remarried in 2010, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and step daughters.
Allan Skalicky, Dispatch
Employed Since: October 1997
E-mail: allans@caledoniahaulers.com
Allan joined our dispatch team in 2011 after spending 13 years as an owner operator.
His years of experience with customers, driving, and general business knowledge are a valuable asset to the company.
Joel Johnson, Wisconsin Dispatcher
Employed Since: September 2004
E-mail: joelj@caledoniahaulers.com
Joel works out of a Darlington location, dispatching approximately 20 Units. He also helps with managing the drivers and preventative maintenance for that group of equipment.
Mark Conniff, Accounting / Treasurer
Employed Since: March 1993
E-mail: markc@caledoniahaulers.com
Mark is another farm boy from the rural area. He has been with Caledonia Haulers accounting department through many personnel changes. He has the important task of overseeing the entire accounting department and personnel. He also helps in bidding freight and working on fuel routing.
When away from his desk, Mark works with his father raising beef cattle and he loves spending time with his wife, Shannon and their four young children.
Vicki Breeser, Payroll / Benefits Manager
Employed Since: November 1999
E-mail: vickib@caledoniahaulers.com
Vicki’s husband Russ, a mechanic with Caledonia Haulers since 1992, served as her introduction to the business. Vicki is considered as the most important member of our office staff by many. She has the difficult task of calculating and maintaining all details regarding payroll and taxes, as well as benefits and all of its components. She has also taken on the role of in house IT support.
In her spare time she loves to garden and takes daily walks.
Sherree Cavanaugh, Accounting / Freight Billing
Employed Since: November 2001
E-mail: sherreeb@caledoniahaulers.com
Sherree does all of our freight billing in addition to working daily with Land O’Lakes and our milk plant operation. Sherree was born and raised in the Caledonia farming community and has many strong family ties to the area.
She is married to Kurt and has two wonderful little boys at home.
Darla Auge, Administrative Assistant
Employed Since: January 2007
E-mail: darlah@caledoniahaulers.com
Another local gal, Darla was originally hired to help “carry the load” while Sherree was on maternity leave. She works closely with payroll and accounting and can also be found helping with creamery data entries and analysis, and shop statements. A mother of three, Darla is a woman of many hats, who can often be heard answering the office phone.
In her off time you may find her riding Harley with her husband Tim, walking their dog Zeke, or spoiling her adorable granddaughter.
Emily Burrichter, Accounting / Financial Analyst
Employed Since: April 2011
E-mail: emilys@caledoniahaulers.com
Emily was raised on a farm in Dorchester, IA. She got her first touch of the trucking industry through her husband Matt’s truck repair shop. Emily obtained her Finance degree from UW-La Crosse and applys that knowledge as Financial Analyst and Accounting Assistant.
In her off time, Emily enjoys spending time walking her dogs, camping, and snowmobiling with Matt.
Gary Heberlein, Breakdowns / Parts
Employed Since: September 1981
E-mail: garyh@caledoniahaulers.com
Gary is one of our most senior employees. Similar to many co-workers, he was born and raised on a working farm in the Caledonia area. Since attending diesel school he has seen and experienced many changes in the trucking industry. He is a man of many hats, performing parts manager duties on a daily basis as well as a part-time mechanic, and break down troubleshooter. You can find Gary here late most evenings and some weeks.
In his off time, Gary likes taking a spin in his classic Mustang with his wife, Polly or telling stories about their grandkids.
Linda Vinson, Maintenance Manager
Employed Since: January 2000
E-mail: lindajoy@caledoniahaulers.com
Born in Wisconsin, Linda moved to Caledonia in 1998 and joined our team in 2000. She manages all areas of our maintenance department; overseeing A/R & A/P, collections, cost/equipment analysis, warranty, shop computers, shop programs, and diagnostic tools. Linda also administers our Peoplenet GPS system, fuel tax, the company store, and our website. In 2009 she acquired two grants for idle reduction equipment and since 2010 has been responsible for our SmartWay Transport Partnership.
In her off time she enjoys photography, bow hunting, raising Labrador retrievers and riding Harley’s with her husband Brian. Member of Women In Trucking.
Pete Lord, Parts Dept
Employed Since: July 2010
E-mail: petel@caledoniahaulers.com
To help take some of the load off the busy maintenance office, Pete joined the team in July 2010. He comes to us with vast experience in the Ford Automotive industry.
In his spare time you can find Pete enjoying time with his wife and grandchildren.
Susie Heaney, CDS (Certified Director of Safety)
Employed Since: January 1997
E-mail: susieh@caledoniahaulers.com
Susie came to Caledonia Haulers with industry experience from being the wife of an owner operator. With an accounting degree and real life skills she took over the safety director position and improved every area. In 2008, she received certification as a Director of Safety. As the advocate for safety, she develops and maintains professional expertise and competence by establishing and implementing the overall safety and company policies.
She establishes hiring criteria, orientation training, accident analysis, and incentive program implementation. She complies and completes driver qualification files, personnel files, and required drug and alcohol testing rates. She maintains compliance with FMCSA, DOT, and OSHA, and keeps up with the ever changing Federal and State governmental rules, regulations, and compliance in safety, technology, and in employment laws and record keeping. She also establishes, measures, and monitors costs and procedures for accident investigations and monitors accidents and injuries to identify trends. She is a member of the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI), the Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) and it’s affiliated Safety Council.
Susie is also a proud wife, mother, and grandmother and can be found camping with her family on the weekends all summer long.
Dean King, Recruiter / Trainer
Employed Since: Feb. 2009
E-mail: deank@caledoniahaulers.com
A life-long resident of Caledonia, Dean has worked as a dispatcher and driver before moving into the position of Recruiter/Trainer. He reviews employee applications and works with Susie after new hires are approved to get them set-up and trained. Dean is also known to help dispatch with a load if they need it.
When away from the office, Dean enjoys spending time with his extensive family including dozens of grandchildren!
