Since 1973, MTC Trucking has provided valuable services to the residents of northern Taos County, supplying local contractors with concrete, sand, gravel, and landscaping materials right in their backyard. The company’s main identity has always been in hauling and trucking.
The company, located at 3840 NM Highway 522, just north of Cerro, was originally started in 1982 by Johnny Mascarenas, in his garage. “My dad had a vision to create a business that could give him and the rest of our family opportunities,” his son Max said in an interview with the Questa del Rio News. He built a shop and ran the business until 1999 when it relocated to its current location. In 2008, Max took over the business and incorporated it. He has been running it ever since.
“I have always been interested in building career opportunities for locals, not just jobs, but careers,” Max says. All employees of MTC trucking make competitive wages while also getting payed time off and insurance benefits. Many of his employees have been with the company for a long time. “I want my employees to feel like they don’t have to worry about their lives at home when they’re at work, so we take care of them the best we’re able,” he says.
Over the years, the business model has gone through several transformations. Initially it was a trucking company, transporting house pads and building prefabricated structures. It transitioned, growing into logging and building roads. In the mid-90s, the company took on the role of contracting for mining companies across the southwest and most recently, the Superfund site at Chevron Mine in 2012. As the company transitions its business model to fit the current need, it stays true to trucking and transporting, while also serving as a supplier for local contractors.
The Mascarenas family started a second family business in 1999 called the Triangle J Farm and Ranch. When operations started, the company farmed 20 acres of alfalfa. Currently, they’re up to 500 acres and they transport hay across the country.
When asked what advice he would give to others who might be interested in following his path, Max says, “it’s important to understand that not every person is meant for college. I wasn’t one for books, but I did like working with my hands and that’s okay too. There are more ways of making a living and building a life besides just going to college.”
He also encouraged students who may be interested in working as a contractor or truck driver to reach out. “My door is always open for anyone who has any questions about what we do. If you’re interested in a job with our company and we don’t have anything available, still reach out. It’s good to talk and get to know one another and I may be able to point you in the right direction.”
The office is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They can be reached by contacting the office at (575) 586-0734 or by direct messaging on Facebook.
