Page 234 - BWA FEB 2013

234 | Business World Magazine | February 2013
Whitener, from early on, saw an opportunity
for growth in the transportation industry in
the Springfield area due to its easy access to
Route I-44. After beginning a career in truck-
ing in 1955 as owner-operator of his solely-
owned truck line, Whitener started Mid-
west Farm Lines in 1976. Spook was joined
soon after by his daughter, Brenda (who now
serves as the Co-Chairman of the Board)
and Larry Sanner who worked his way from
the tire shop to become the current Execu-
tive Vice President. The company expanded
rapidly as its reputation for dependability, ef-
ficiency and excellent customer service grew.
By 1982, business had grown to a lev-
el that prompted Whitener to increase the
scope of the company to offer better ser-
vice to a greater number of customers, and
Trailiner Corporation was then established.
Management was then expanded to include
his wife, Elizabeth, who has served as the Di-
rector of Safety ever since.
Amber Edmondson’s emergence as
President of Trailiner followed some years
after her grandfather urged her to join the
business in 1999. Originally, Edmondson
worked in Accounts Receivable while com-
pleting her degree in Business. Upon com-