Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhaesea Drake.
Jhaesea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our story started with a lifelong connection to the trucking industry. Erin Thomas grew up around transportation and compliance, inspired by her father, Harold Wolford, who served as a DOT auditor for more than 30 years. Through that experience, Erin gained a deep understanding of the challenges motor carriers face and recognized a need for reliable, customer-focused compliance services.
At the same time, her husband, Rob Thomas (and no, not the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty!), saw a need for a friendly, dependable drug and alcohol testing facility in La Grande, Oregon. Together, they founded Assurity Testing with a simple goal: to create a true “one-stop shop” for trucking companies. We wanted carriers to have a single trusted partner rather than juggling three or four different vendors to keep their businesses compliant and on the road.
In early 2025, Jhaesea joined the business with one thing in mind, growth. Her focus was on finding ways to help more people while maintaining the personalized service that set us apart. By combining Erin’s extensive compliance knowledge with Jhaesea’s talent for building systems and processes, we created a company that proactively monitors every aspect of our clients’ compliance needs.
Today, we are proud to be a woman-owned business serving not only La Grande and the state of Oregon, but clients across the country in 33 states. While our company has grown significantly, one thing has never changed: our family-owned and operated approach and commitment to exceptional customer service.
We take pride in the systems we’ve built to help ensure our clients are audit-ready at all times. Growth can be intimidating, but our mission remains the same as it was on day one, to make compliance easier, provide outstanding support, and help trucking companies succeed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. There’s a saying that anything worth having never comes easy, and that has certainly been true for us.
Like any growing business, we’ve experienced plenty of growing pains along the way. The transportation industry is constantly evolving, with regulations and compliance requirements changing all the time. Staying ahead of those changes while ensuring our clients remain compliant requires continuous learning, adaptation, and a lot of hard work.
We’ve also experienced the natural ups and downs that come with running a business. Some months are slower than others, while some months feel like a sprint from start to finish. One thing we’ve learned is that compliance isn’t a typical 9-to-5 industry. Truck drivers are working around the clock, which means they often need support outside of traditional business hours. Being available when our clients need us has always been a priority.
We’ve also seen firsthand how rising fuel costs, inflation, and operating expenses have impacted trucking companies and owner-operators. Many drivers are feeling the squeeze, and we understand that every dollar matters. That’s one reason we’ve structured our services with flexibility in mind. Rather than requiring large upfront payments, we offer affordable monthly payment options that help our clients stay compliant without adding unnecessary financial strain.
Every challenge we’ve faced has helped us build a stronger business and better serve our clients. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but helping trucking companies succeed and stay on the road makes the hard work worthwhile.
As you know, we’re big fans of TruckWise Reporting & Assurity Testing. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At TruckWise Reporting and Assurity Testing, our mission is simple: to make compliance easier for trucking companies while providing the kind of customer service that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s business world.
What sets us apart is our deep knowledge of the transportation industry. We don’t just understand regulations—we understand the day-to-day challenges that motor carriers, owner-operators, and drivers face. Our team has decades of combined experience in DOT compliance, drug and alcohol testing, permitting, and safety management, allowing us to provide practical solutions that help keep businesses operating smoothly and compliantly.
TruckWise Reporting specializes in transportation compliance services, including DOT compliance management, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol consortium management, permitting, audit preparation, and ongoing regulatory support. Assurity Testing provides professional drug and alcohol testing services designed to meet the needs of both transportation and non-transportation employers.
One of the things we’re best known for is being a true one-stop shop. Our clients don’t have to work with multiple vendors to manage their compliance programs. We provide comprehensive services under one roof, saving our clients time, money, and frustration.
We’re also proud of the systems and processes we’ve developed to proactively monitor our clients’ compliance needs. Rather than waiting for a problem to arise, we work to identify potential issues before they become violations or audit findings. Our goal is to ensure our clients are audit-ready every day, not just when an audit notice arrives.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is that we’ve been able to grow while maintaining our family-owned, relationship-focused approach. Although we now serve clients in 33 states, we still treat every client like a neighbor. We know our customers by name, answer our phones, and genuinely care about their success.
If there’s one thing we want readers to know, it’s that compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right partner, trucking companies can focus on running their businesses while we help them navigate the ever-changing world of regulations. Our combination of industry expertise, proactive compliance management, and exceptional customer service is what truly sets TruckWise Reporting and Assurity Testing apart.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are so many people who have contributed to our success, but one person who deserves special recognition is Erin’s father, Harold Wolford. Harold spent more than 30 years as a DOT auditor and is widely respected throughout the transportation industry. To this day, he remains a fountain of knowledge when it comes to trucking regulations, compliance, and safety. Erin cannot thank him enough for the advice, guidance, and mentorship he has provided over the years—both personally and professionally.
Interestingly, the story of TruckWise Reporting wouldn’t exist without another key supporter: Mace Cadwell of Royal Rock. Mace frequently reached out to Harold for compliance advice because he knew Harold’s expertise was second to none. As those conversations continued, it became clear that there was a significant need in the industry for reliable, knowledgeable compliance support.
One day, Harold turned to Erin and said, “I think you should start this business. You could help a lot of people.” That simple conversation became the foundation of TruckWise Reporting.
Mace’s persistence in seeking guidance, combined with Erin’s passion for helping people navigate the often-confusing world of transportation compliance, created the spark that launched the company. What started as a way to help a few carriers has grown into a business that now serves trucking companies in 33 states—and continues to grow every year.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our clients. Every company that has trusted us with their compliance needs has helped shape who we are today. Their referrals, loyalty, and belief in our services have allowed us to expand while staying true to our core mission: helping trucking companies succeed and stay compliant.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think that TruckWise Reporting began with a few phone calls, a lot of industry knowledge, and a desire to help others. We’re incredibly grateful to the mentors, supporters, clients, and team members who have helped make that vision a reality.
Pricing:
- as low as $75 monthly
- IFTA
- OR Weight Mile Reports
- IRP
- Audits
Contact Info:
- Website: https://truckwisereporting.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truckwisereporting
- Other: https://share.google/nUrpuEsl7jfwvqmUq
