History

In 1927, John (Johnny) S. Lopes, Jr. left Gustine High School at the age of 16 to start a career in the trucking industry. He began hauling milk, driving for several different trucking companies in his hometown of Gustine, California.  In 1936, Johnny founded Lopes Trucking Service – initially hauling hay, grain, lumber, hides, and other agricultural commodities throughout California. With the help of his wife, Veronica, and their two sons, Gene & Jerry, Johnny began offering other agricultural commodity processing/handling services in the early 1960’s which still operates today as Lopes Trucking Service, Inc. dba GGJ Equipment. Johnny’s son, Jerry Lopes, took over operations from his father around 1972 and ran the business with his wife Pat. As Jerry looked into retirement in the early 2000’s, his son Mike began to take over daily operations. In 2008, Mike & Jerry hired Phil Davis as a dispatcher and Terminal Manager. Phil became co-owner in 2013 and has been working with Mike to rightfully represent and uphold the legacy that John began in 1936.