From Opportunity to Ownership: The Journey of Walter J. Moss‑Bey

Stories like Walter J. Moss‑Bey’s show why workforce development programs matter. These programs transform lives, strengthen families, and build stronger communities. Walter’s journey began more than a decade ago in Madison, Wisconsin. After years working as a construction laborer, he was unexpectedly laid off and unsure of his next step. What he did know was that he wanted more: stability, purpose, and a future he could build with pride.

Seeking direction, Walter visited his local Job Center, where he was introduced to the WorkSmart Network and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. With the help of a WIOA career planner, he explored industries with strong demand and long‑term opportunity. That exploration led him to transportation—and the possibility of earning his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

As a participant of the WIOA Dislocated Worker Program, Walter enrolled in CDL training. This program didn’t just cover tuition—it removed the barriers that often prevent people from advancing their careers.

Community partnerships played a major role as well. Through the YWCA of Dane County, Walter received mentorship and support from leaders like Tory Latham and Lori Miller. He also completed OSHA safety training, CPR, and flagging certifications through apprenticeship‑style programs designed to expand job readiness and earning potential.

Equally important were the wraparound services. Transportation and other essentials were covered during training, ensuring financial challenges wouldn’t derail his progress. With these supports in place, Walter could focus entirely on learning and preparing for a new career.

After earning his CDL, Walter began driving professionally for Western Express. Traveling across the country, he gained hands‑on experience in transportation and logistics. What began as a job soon grew into a vision for entrepreneurship. Through years of hard work, long miles, and disciplined financial planning, he transitioned from company driver to owner‑operator—purchasing his own truck and trailer and taking full ownership of his future.

Today, Walter’s truck and trailer are fully paid off. His weekly gross revenue ranges from $10,000 to $13,000 depending on load and route—representing up to $600,000 in annual business revenue. Over the past decade, he has delivered freight nationwide while building a reputation as a reliable, skilled transportation professional.

But Walter’s story isn’t only about business success.

While on a route, he experienced a life‑changing moment: he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Vivian Menzies, whom he hadn’t seen in more than 30 years. Their reunion sparked a renewed relationship grounded in shared values, faith, and vision. In 2023, they married and began building something even greater: entrepreneurship focused on creating seven streams of income.

With Walter’s deep industry expertise and Vivian’s 20+ years of executive leadership in Human Resources, workforce development, and organizational strategy, the couple expanded ThinkSmart Enterprise LLC into a multi‑division company.

Today, ThinkSmart Enterprise is more than a trucking business. It is a growing enterprise focused on transportation services, workforce development initiatives, consulting, and community engagement. The company continues to explore partnerships with organizations such as the Washington Trucking Consortium and nonprofit groups dedicated to workforce training, youth education, and career pathway development.

Walter’s journey has come full circle.

The same type of workforce investment that once helped him launch his career now inspires him to mentor others. He is committed to helping create pathways for the next generation of drivers, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.

Walter is no longer simply a truck driver. He is a business owner, mentor, community advocate, and workforce ambassador who believes deeply in the power of second chances and opportunity.

Programs like WIOA and community partnerships with organizations such as the YWCA do more than provide job training. They create hope. They open doors for individuals who may not have seen a clear path forward. They equip people with skills, confidence, and opportunity—allowing them to transform their futures and uplift their communities.

Tuition support became a certification. A certification became a career. A career became a business. And that business became a platform for community impact.

Today, Walter J. Moss‑Bey stands as a pillar in his community—an entrepreneur, mentor, husband, father, and leader committed to building opportunity for others.

His story is not just about trucking. It is about transformation, reinvention, resilience, and the extraordinary impact that occurs when people are given the chance to succeed.

When workforce programs like WIOA invest in individuals like Walter, they are not simply funding training. They are investing in futures, families, and communities for generations to come.