Golf Tournament participants.

Terral RiverService Inc. held its 14th Annual Golf Tournament at the Vicksburg Golf and Country Club on October 10, 2019. The annual event is an opportunity for Terral RiverService to show its appreciation to its customers and vendors, and enjoy a relaxing day together. Following the tournament, guests attended an awards ceremony and enjoyed dinner at the country club’s restaurant, The Anthony.

Members of the first place team were Teddy Twigg with Patriot Construction, Colby Pennington with Marquette Transportation, and Ronald Lattier and Eric Gilmore, both with Red River Waterway Commission. A special congratulations also to Matt Bell for hitting a hole-in-one. Thanks to the vendors and customers who donated prizes.

“We enjoy getting to know our customers and vendors outside of the office, and are glad for the opportunity to build and strengthen our relationships,” Johnny Martin of Terral RiverService said.

Terral RiverService, Inc. would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Human Resources Director, Allan Rodgers. Read more about Allan below!

Position at Terral:  Human Resources Director

Reports to: Paul Moore, CFO

Years of Experience:  Over 13 years of comprehensive HR experience.

Previous Employer:  Director of Human Resources at Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi.

Oversees:  All HR functions including, but not limited to, recruitment and retention, employee relations, employee development, compliance, payroll, benefits administration, workers compensation, unemployment, succession planning, and employee engagement.

Hometown:  Madisonville, KY

Family:  Two children, Jackson and Scarlett

Currently Resides: Raymond, MS (Moved to Mississippi in 2010)

Education:

BA, Corporate and Organizational Communication – Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

MBA - Belhaven University, Jackson, MS

Interests:  Enjoys being with friends and family, working out, camping, hiking, hunting, playing golf, and sporting clay.

Volunteer Activities:  

Boy Scouts – Troop 92, Raymond, MS (Asst Scoutmaster)

Knights of Columbus – Holy Savior Catholic Church, Clinton, MS

Hinds Community College - Business Office Technology Dept Advisory Committee Member, Raymond, MS

The Terral RiverService team would like to extend a warm welcome to Tressie Frith, who recently joined us as our Payroll Administrator. Tressie comes to us from the LSU Ag Center where she was Administrative Coordinator for 18 years. She is currently earning her degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources and is glad for the opportunity to pursue a career in the field. Tressie has two grown sons and one grandson. 

Terral RiverService is proud to announce our featured employee for June, Mike Askue. Mike started working for TRS in November 2017 as part of our acquisition of Kinder Morgan in Blytheville, Arkansas. He had been working in the same position for over twenty-seven years and has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. He continued his work as a Supervisor before being promoted to Manager in December of 2018, taking over Mid-America Rock Unloading, and remains the Supervisor for Barfield Cleaning Docks. He says he wakes up at 5am and goes until he can’t go anymore. “I love my work,” Mike says. “And what I love about Terral is that they allow you to work and grow. I like that they feel like a family and that you’re not just a number.” TRS is most impressed with Mike’s work ethic and drive and is grateful for the determination he pours into his work. "Mike gives 100% all of the time and strives for customer satisfaction,” says Marvin Collins, Operations Manager for TRS. 

Terral RiverService is pleased to announce our recent expansion in the Florida Panhandle with an operating agreement for new rock yards. In November, we assumed the operations of two aggregate yards in Valparaiso and Point Washington; both are handling limestone and operating on behalf of Vulcan Materials Company (VMC). This agreement is in keeping with our goal to build upon our existing relationship with VMC and also continues our expansion effort in the Mobile, Alabama area. TRS, as reported earlier, owns two unloading rigs in Mobile that are unloading aggregates for VMC and Couch Materials from Mobile to Panama City.

The Mississippi River remains at flood levels, continuing a high water streak that began in January this year. The current 50 foot river hampers business as usual at Terral RiverService as it results in tow size limitations, closed port sites and damaged river infrastructure. Terral RiverService is working hard to prepare for the accelerated demand once the river recedes to normal levels and will make every effort to accommodate each of our customer’s needs as soon as river conditions are manageable again. “We appreciate your patience,” says Tom Gattle, President of TRS. “I am not sure what is happening but something is changing with our weather patterns that control river levels.” Since 1934 the Mississippi River gauge at Vicksburg has been at 50 foot six times, with 42 foot being flood stage. Three of the 50 foot river levels have come in the last nine years. Terral RiverService continues to adjust in order to meet the challenge of these unusual high water events.

The river has also delayed the release of Terral RiverService’s current boat under construction. Greenville’s NewSouth Marine’s shipyard is under water and has been unable to complete the waterside construction. The hope is that the river levels will decline in the next month allowing for a completion of the vessel by year end. The new vessel, named the MV John C, Terral, after the co-founder of Terral RiverService will be a 140’ X 38’ retractable wheelhouse boat powered by two CAT 3516 engines.

Terral RiverService Inc. completed the purchase of two unload rigs Wednesday November 14, 2018, under the direction of Neil Martin, Vice President of Services.

TRS 6 in Action. 

Golf Tournament participants.

Terral RiverService Inc. held its 14th Annual Golf Tournament at the Vicksburg Golf and Country Club on October 4, 2018. The annual event is an opportunity for Terral RiverService to show its appreciation to its customers and vendors, and enjoy a relaxing day together.

The former mv. Elmer Stone has been renamed to mv. Virginia Mooney.

Terral has renamed the six push boats it purchased after acquiring Kinder Morgan’s Blytheville, AR and Decatur, AL river assets in December 2017.

Jesus Rangel has worked in the River Industry for 19 years. He began his career with Kinder Morgan and started working for Terral RiverService Inc. when they acquired Kinder Morgan’s River Assets in December of 2017. Jesus works at Terral’s Blytheville location as the Crane Operator and Leadman on the Wash Dock.

Jim Wood has been working at Terral RiverService Inc. for 10 years, and is the Captain of the M.V. Marguerite L. Terral.

Terral RiverService Inc. welcomed Bruce McConkey to their team in June. Bruce has 20 years of experience in the river industry and serves as the Operations Manager of Terral’s Blytheville and Decatur locations.

Mark Moreno started working at Terral in 2010 and briefly moved to Dallas in 2014. After 9 months in Dallas, he moved back to Natchitoches in 2015 to continue working with Terral as the Natchitoches Location Manager.