Five Good Things: Drivers hit a home run

In this week's blog of good trucking news: Walking toward a cure for cancer, a trailer manufacturer is recognized as one of America's best workplaces, and one carrier takes its safest drivers out to the ball game.

Scott Keith

May 12, 2023

7 min read

Advantage Truck Group hosted the 2023 SkillsUSA Diesel Equipment Technology Massachusetts State Championships. ATG also developed the hands-on tests that the high schoolers underwent.

Drivers don't hear "good job" as much as they should. As such, it's always a good thing to see drivers get recognized, whether through a highly competitive award or being taken out to a ball game by their company. This and more in this week's good trucking news.

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CPC Logistics operator inducted into NPTC Driver Hall of Fame

CPC Logistics truck driver Ron Mahar, who is assigned to drive for Walgreens in Houston, displays his NPTC Driver Hall of Fame Award—one of only four given each year.

CPC Logistics truck driver Ron Mahar, who is assigned to drive for Walgreens in Houston, Texas, has been inducted into the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) Driver Hall of Fame. NPTC is the only national trade association in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to representing private fleets.

Each year the NPTC Driver Hall of Fame inducts four drivers from across the U.S. who have demonstrated a lifetime of excellence on the highway, in their company, and in their community. To qualify, drivers must have a minimum of 3 million miles, 20 years, or 50,000 hours of driving; no preventable accidents; and be regularly employed or leased full-time at an NPTC member company and actively driving at the time of induction.

“It’s nice to be recognized for doing my job,” Mahar said. “My philosophy has always been to do the best job I can do and with integrity. I try my best to do it right even when no one is watching.”

CPC Division Manager Richard Jones has worked with Mahar for more than 15 years. “Ron is the ultimate professional,” Jones said. “He is very good at what he does—he has even taught me a thing or two—and he is always willing to share his knowledge with the younger generation of drivers coming into the industry.”

Mahar has been a professional driver since 1972 and employed with CPC since 1989.

“I enjoy my job,” Mahar said. “I like that I am home almost every night, and I still get to do all the driving I want. Plus, I’ve worked with some wonderful people at CPC and Walgreens over the course of my career.”

Since the program begin in 1987, NPTC has honored 140 drivers from a broad spectrum of the nation’s top private truck fleets. Including Mahar, 12 truck drivers from CPC Logistics have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. CPC’s ranks also include 104 NPTC Driver All-Stars and more than 155 drivers who have driven 1 million miles or more without a preventable accident.

Mahar was inducted into the Hall of Fame at NPTC’s Annual Education Management Conference & Exhibition May 7-9, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.

“Ron has always approached his work with a smile and a laugh,” Jones said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”

Drivers Ricky Cook of Shaw Industries (No. 227 on the FleetOwner 500: Top Private Fleets), Chris Nelson of Baxter Healthcare, and Billy Steele of Unifi Manufacturing were the other three honorees.

XPO commits as Susan G. Komen Walks' official transportation through 2025

XPO

XPO will be the official transportation sponsor of the Susan G. Komen—its logo emblazoned on the right side of this trailer—through 2025.

XPO has renewed its long-standing commitment as the official transportation partner of the Susan G. Komen 3-day fundraising walks through 2025.

“We’re proud to support Susan G. Komen in its work to prevent and cure breast cancer,” said Carolyn Roach, chief human resources officer at XPO. “This is a disease that affects all of us, and through partnership and community, we’re committed to making a meaningful impact by raising funds to advance research and move closer to a world without breast cancer.”

XPO will provide trucks and drivers to all Susan G. Komen 3-day fundraising walks for the next three years. In addition, the company will continue to provide storage for equipment, supplies, and merchandise between events, and XPO trucks will display the iconic Susan G. Komen running pink ribbon.

In 2023, XPO will support the following walks:

“Thanks to our partnership with XPO, we know that the 3-day program will have the transportation services we need to make each event a success,” said Sarah Rosales, senior vice president of corporate partnerships and direct marketing for Susan G. Komen. “XPO’s steadfast commitment to our mission is a source of support for Komen as we continue our work toward finding a cure for breast cancer.”

Advantage Truck Group hosts SkillsUSA Massachusetts diesel tech state championship

Advantage Truck Group recently hosted the Diesel Equipment Technology competition for the 2023 SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Championships, bringing together the top qualifying students from high schools across the state to compete for a chance to represent Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, June 19-24.

During the event, students challenged their knowledge of tools, precision measurement, vehicle components, and job interview skills, cycling through workstations that included tasks related to engine diagnostics, electrical systems, brakes, steering, air systems, and safety.

“The need for qualified diesel technicians creates strong job prospects for students and skills competitions like this help highlight these opportunities,” Advantage Truck Group President and CEO Kevin Holmes said. “ATG is proud to be able to provide this support for SkillsUSA, as we see this as a vital part of technical education in the region that will help build the next generation of skilled technicians.”

Jacob Cooper of Westfield Technical Academy, who works at ATG’s location in Westfield through the school’s cooperative education program, won first place and a gold medal in the competition and will receive four hours of training with a master diesel technician at ATG to help prepare for the national competition. Other winners were Joshua Blalock of Blackstone Valley Technical High School who earned second place and Cameron Gregor of Southshore Vocational Technical High School who earned third.

In addition to hosting this year’s competition, ATG managed the event and was responsible for designing the hands-on tasks at each testing station.

Wabash named one of 'America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters'

Trailer maker Wabash has been recognized among Newsweek’s list of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters 2023,” reported FleetOwner sister site Trailer/Body Builders in an article.

Wabash was awarded four out of five stars on its score and is the only trailer or truck body manufacturer to be recognized, according to the company announcement.

“We’re honored to be recognized as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters,” said Kristin Glazner, senior vice president, general counsel, and chief human resources officer. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our employees, especially those just starting their careers. We believe that investing in our people not only benefits them personally but also drives the success of Wabash as a whole. This recognition validates our efforts and inspires us to continue creating a positive workplace culture that empowers our employees to grow and thrive in their careers.”

Swift Transportation takes drivers out to the ball game

One of Swift's drivers poses with the Arizona Diamondbacks' mascot, Baxter the Bobcat.

Swift Transportation—which, as part of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, ranks No. 3 on the FleetOwner 500 For-Hire fleets—celebrated its three and four million mile safe drivers all week. Drivers at the carrier’s Phoenix terminal were treated to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, where they received VIP treatment at Chase Field in a private suite. The drivers later attended an awards dinner with Swift executives.