Pat Marsh

Marsh credits Haslam for providing the education that led him to a successful career.

- Alumni

Tennessee State Representative Pat Marsh (HCB, ’72) was recently named the recipient of the Pinnacle Award by the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA), an independent, non-profit trade association representing trucking companies and industry vendors. Marsh is the 13th recipient of the award in its 28-year history. The award is presented when the TTA identifies an individual who demonstrates uncommon service and dedication to the industry.

Before he was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature in 2009, Marsh retired from a successful career in trucking. He began studying transportation in the Haslam College of Business after learning about the major from his college roommate.

“At the time, I didn’t know anyone working in the transportation field,” says Marsh. “I took my first transportation class at the University of Tennessee and fell in love with the major. I received a very good education and made many great friends and future business acquaintances while I was there.”

After graduating with a degree in transportation (now part of the Haslam supply chain management program) Marsh worked briefly for Ford Motor Company before joining Goggin Truck Line in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Marsh later bought the company and grew it to 500 tractors and 1,000 trailers and employed over 1,000 people.

After selling Goggin Truck Line, Marsh, along with his brother, Jack Marsh, founded Big G Express, Inc. They saw the transportation solutions company through rapid growth before selling their shares to the company’s employees through an employee stock ownership plan in 2009.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with individuals who have a passion for the industry and are dedicated to doing things the right way,” Marsh says. “I think that experience as a businessperson has greatly impacted my work in state government.”

In the Tennessee State Legislature, Marsh represents the 62nd District, which includes Bedford County and part of Lincoln County. In 2021, he was selected by his fellow State House members to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore of the 112th General Assembly. He also serves on several legislative committees, including the Transportation Committee. Since being elected to the Legislature, Marsh has worked to have a positive impact on the trucking industry, supporting bills that include funding for improvements to highways, roads and bridges in Tennessee.

The Pinnacle Award recognizes this work along with his trucking career. Marsh says he feels fortunate to be chosen from a field of many worthy colleagues in the industry.

“Trucking is a fantastic industry to be in, and I am blessed to have gone to UT and to have majored in transportation,” Marsh says. “This led me into my job in trucking and into a fabulous career.”