The year 1971 found 30 year old Don Ray working for heavy truck

manufacturer International Harvester. He decided to take a leap of faith

and listen to God’s calling to open a small transportation business. Don

and his wife, Louise, did just that. As they continued working their day
jobs they started their small business out of the back of their home. Don,

Louise and one other driver began picking up units from a local motor home

manufacturer. They stored these units on a small, rented lot. These units

were stored by the Rays for dealer pickup since Don had no legal authority

that would allow him to transport the motor homes from the manufacturer to

the dealer locations as a for-hire motor carrier.

 

As time progressed Don met a friend for life. This friend was an attorney who eventually helped Don and Louise Ray realized
their dream of owning and running their own federally licensed transportation business. In 1973, they received their federal
motor carrier operating authority and founded the corporate enterprise named Don Ray Drive-A-Way Company, Inc. in
Decatur, Indiana. The operating authority allowed Don and Louise to deliver motor homes to dealerships across the

country. It was Don’s emphasis on quality that distinguished Don Ray Drive-A-Way and set it apart from its competitors.

What started as a “mom and pop” business grew rapidly. Don eventually created dispatch offices and commenced

operations to Chico, California; Paxinos, Pennsylvania; Riverside, California; then finally in Elkhart, Indiana.

During the years of expansion, Don insisted on and succeeded in maintaining outstanding quality. His
philosophy was enshrined in the phrase that has guided the company through the years

“Transportation House of Quality”.