Jerry Prosser Retires from Fontaine Modification After Six Decades in Trucking Industry

Charlotte, N.C. (July 16, 2020)

After more than 60 years as an engineer in the trucking industry, Jerry Prosser is finally ready to leave the industry in the hands of the next generation. After turning 84 on July 1, he has officially retired from his role as an engineering consultant at Fontaine Modification.

“It’s time for the next phase of my 80/20 plan,” says Prosser. “I said I’d work until I’m 80 and play until I’m 100, so it’s time to move along. One of the reasons I’ve enjoyed working at Fontaine is because of the group of employees with ‘can-do’ attitudes who have joined the company over the last 13 years, and who have been key to the growth of the company. I’ve been able to contribute key knowledge and be part of the development of significant new product offerings. Fontaine’s ability to rapidly provide new products in response to changes in the trucking industry positions it to have a continued impact on the future of the industry.”

Career highlights
Prosser’s career in trucking began with a summer job in Freightliner Trucks’ Portland, Ore., manufacturing plant in 1954 and concludes with 25 years in various engineering roles at Fontaine Modification. In between, he managed hundreds of key engineering projects during stints with Freightliner, Western Star, White Motor Company and Volvo Trucks North America. According to Prosser, some of his most impactful projects included:
While at Freightliner, designed a container adaption to FLR’s sea pallets for transporting King Ranch cattle to Hawaii (1958).
Served as project leader on the design and protype build of Freightliner’s first tilt cab (1958).
Initiated and developed the concept and design of a new air intake and exhaust erector set of parts covering an array options that was used until 2000 (1965).
Managed the model making and aerodynamics testing of U.S. Volvo, Freightliner and Kenworth models at the University of Maryland’s wind tunnel (1983).
As Volvo’s first U.S. employee transferred to Sweden, advised Volvo in Sweden on U.S. specs for its new truck program (1984-86).
Served as plant manager of Volvo’s Ogden, Utah, Autocar plant (1986-1990).
Designed a prototype of a tall integrated sleeper for Volvo White within 90 days (1990).
Designed a super-heavy-duty military vehicle in 6 weeks for a foreign government and built 150 in less than 4 weeks in 1990.