Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott travels to Dillwyn, Virginia to visit Cottons Alley Trucking, LLC. Members of the Mafia, according to Mario Puzo’s novel The Godfather, do not refer to their organization as the Mafia; they call it La Cosa Nostra, meaning “this thing of ours.” Take away the criminal connection—hopefully—and the phrase could easily apply to logging as well. It’s common among loggers to say that sawdust runs in their veins after they fall in love with this thing of ours. Take, for example, Tommy Allen, 55, the owner of Cottons Alley Trucking, LLC, which bases its operations in and around Buckingham County. Why is it called Cottons Alley Trucking and not Cottons Alley Logging, one might ask? Well, it’s kind of a long story. You see, Allen is part of a family that doesn’t just have logging in their its. For the members of the Allen clan, this thing of ours seems to be imprinted on their DNA.

Featured Story: “In The DNA”

Written By: David Abbott
Company: Cottons Alley Trucking, LLC
Location: Dillwyn, Virginia
SLT Issue: July 2015

Check out other featured articles in the July 2015 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times magazine.
Southern Loggin’ Times magazine’s July 2015 issue features Cochran, Georgia’s Sanders Logging Company, Dillwyn, Virginia’s Cottons Alley Trucking, LLC, and Madison, Florida’s Gray Logging, LLC. Also highlighted is the 2015 InWoodsExpo, held on June 18-20 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Other articles cover the latest industry news, new equipment and products, and logging business tips.