Happy birthday, little brother

by Ted Light

I’ve just hung up the phone after a long call with my sister-in-law, Pam Light, the original editor of Truck News (1981-1987).

Pam and I were finalizing the date for my brother Brian’s birthday party. I’m sure many of you will remember Brian; he was the founder and first publisher of Truck News. Brother Brian is turning 50, the big five-O.

He still looks like he’s in his thirties, although as a grudging concession to myself and our other two brothers Brian is finally showing signs of thinning hair.

His comb-over phase should come to an end around 55 – about 20 years later than my own phase ended. Brian has always looked much younger than his age, a fact that has not always worked in his favor.

As a 28-year-old who looked 17, Brian launched Truck News. You can imagine the cynicism of a sales manager or an advertising executive when this kid shows up selling a concept, a magazine for truckers, a trucker’s newspaper that will be so well-read by these truckers that this manager or exec would be crazy not to advertise in it.

The fact that you are reading this issue 20-plus years later is a testament to Brian, his tenacity, his belief in himself, his belief in this industry, and the courage to follow his dreams.

Brian didn’t convince all those early advertisers to invest with him because he was a good salesman; they invested with him because in this kid they could see a good man. A man who could be trusted, one who would deliver on his promises or ‘fess up when he fell short.

Let me tell you, as the son of his very first investors, Brian rarely fell short. I’m still not sure how he talked me into a cross-country drive delivering that first issue to truck stops along the Trans-Canada.

I remember another non-stop, cross-country delivery with Brian and brother, Greg, in the pickup, two up front with one sleeping on bundles of issues in the back. He has always found a way.

What makes it special is that Brian’s way is not at the expense of others.

One always feels they work with Brian, not for him – one shares his dream.

Those of us at Truck News thank Brian, not only for sharing his dreams, but for sharing his time with us.

As I reflect on his fiftieth birthday, I realize how blessed we are to have him in our lives.

As a son, a brother, a father, an uncle, a husband, and most important, a friend.

Happy birthday, little brother.


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