Don Hoey

With a father who was the first Australian member of the Mack Truck America's Million Mile Club for transport driving, it might be said that trucking is in Don Hoey's genes.  Currently the manager of research and development for Mack Trucks Australia, Don has been involved with the transport industry for over 40 years.  Completing his diesel motor mechanic apprenticeship in 1969, Don fostered his love of driving with a stint in northern Australia driving roadtrains at Katherine, Borroloola, Mt Isa and Cloncurry.

Don commenced work with Mack Trucks Australia in 1973 and 30 years on still holds the same passion for these trucks as the day he started.  Current CEO and managing director of Mack Trucks Australia, Colin Partington wrote in 2003:    "People like Don Hoey are what have made Mack Trucks in Australia so successful.  The challenge ahead is to identify, train and develop the next generation of Mack Trucks Australia with the  same passion and precision of pioneers such as Don.  He is a strength within our organization and we are very proud of his knowledge. "Don's love of Mack Trucks and passion for the transport industry is surpassed only by his love of family and the Australian outback.  Married to Leonie for over 40 years, Don has devoted his life to showing his two sons the remote parts of Australia that he holds so dear. 

No doubt, as he works toward retirement years, Don will continue to foster his passion for trucks and driving with frequent visits to remote Australia, and to the Road Transport Hall of Fame.  Don's input to Mack Trucks has included development and supervision of Mack projects including the Cougar RIV Fire Truck as an Airport Emergency Vehicle, the 8 wheel Cruise Liner, V8 Value Liner, Superliner 1 and 11, Ultra-Liner, Magnum Mid Qantum.  The projects of greatest passion to Don have been the development of the Mack Titan for the road industry and the Mark Big Foot for the mining industry.