Scott Borgerson is a long haul truck driver from Essex, Maryland who built his career through skill, discipline, and steady growth. He was raised in a working family near the Chesapeake Bay, where he learned the value of showing up and doing the job right. His father worked at the Sparrows Point steel mill, and his mother served as a nurse. Their example shaped how Scott thinks about success.

Scott discovered his interest in engines early. He spent weekends in his uncle’s garage fixing small motors and learning how machines behaved. In high school, he joined the automotive and diesel tech program at Kenwood and became active in SkillsUSA. He preferred hands-on learning and earned his CDL at age twenty one.

His career has now passed the twenty five year mark. Scott has driven for grocery distributors, national logistics firms, and port based carriers. He has hauled food, building materials, and port freight across the Mid Atlantic and East Coast. He has logged more than two million accident free miles and is known by his team as a reliable and calm operator.

Scott’s success comes from consistent habits. He plans routes, studies weather, and maintains his truck with care. He mentors new drivers, teaches safety basics, and gives practical advice drawn from decades on the road. His work with the Maryland Food Bank and Wreaths Across America reflects his belief in community service.

Today, Scott lives in Essex with his family, restores classic trucks, and continues to prove that steady work and personal pride can build a strong and meaningful career.

Q&A with Scott Borgerson on the Meaning of Success

When you think about success after more than twenty years on the road, what comes to mind first?

Success to me is not a big moment. It is the result of small choices made every day. I think about showing up early, taking my time on inspections, and getting a load where it needs to go without cutting corners. I grew up in a household where hard work was normal. My father came home from long shifts at the Sparrows Point mill covered in dust but still willing to fix things around the house. My mother worked nights as a nurse. Watching them made me believe that success comes from doing your job well, even when no one sees you.

I measure success by consistency. My two million accident free miles happened one trip at a time. There is no shortcut for that.

You often train new drivers. What do you tell them about building a successful career?

I tell them that driving is a skill that grows with time. You cannot rush confidence. One of the first things I say is to respect the weather. I learned that lesson the hard way early in my career on a frozen bridge near Wilmington. I kept control, but it shook me. That moment taught me that patience is a strength, not a weakness.

I also tell them to build routines. Check the truck the same way every day. Plan your route. Keep your paperwork tight. Those habits make the job safer, but they also make you more dependable. People remember drivers who can be counted on.

What part of your background shaped your work ethic the most?

Working with my uncle Randy as a kid had a huge impact. He was a local mechanic and let me help with lawn mower engines and small motors. He taught me that machines reward care and attention. If you rush a repair, you fix it twice. That stuck with me.

The SkillsUSA program in high school also played a role. I competed in engine rebuild events, and those competitions taught me to focus on details. Every misplaced bolt or skipped step cost points. That mindset carried over into trucking, where the small things matter. A loose strap, a worn tire, or a missed sign can change the entire trip.

Many people see trucking as a tough job. What keeps you motivated after so many years?

I stay motivated because I know the work matters. When I deliver medical supplies or food, I know those items help people in a real way. Even when the load is simple freight, it still supports someone’s business or project. That sense of purpose keeps me steady.

Another thing that keeps me going is the community. Drivers look out for each other. I remember helping a rookie at a rest area during a storm. He was nervous and unsure whether to push through. We checked the radar, talked it over, and he chose to wait. He thanked me later. Those moments remind me that experience has value and that sharing it helps create safer roads.

What has success taught you about balance in your personal life?

Success taught me that time has value. When I was younger, I focused on the job at all costs. With two kids, I learned that coming home matters as much as clocking miles. My son and I rebuilt a 1979 Kenworth together. It took months, and it taught me that progress at home can feel just as good as progress at work.

Fishing trips on the Chesapeake, grilling with neighbors, and tailgating at Ravens games help me reset. Those moments keep me grounded so I can show up fully when it is time to work.

What advice would you give someone who is trying to define success for themselves?

I would tell them to start simple. Figure out what type of life you want, not what someone else thinks success should look like. For me, it meant steady income, honest work, and a strong home life. For someone else, it might be something different.

I also believe success is built on small improvements. You do not have to master everything at once. Start by getting good at the next task in front of you. Learn your craft. Ask questions. Listen to people with experience. And when you fail, look at it closely. A mistake is useful when it teaches you something.

Success is not about being perfect. It is about showing up with care, building trust, and keeping your word. If you can do those things over time, success has a way of finding you.