KeHE Distribution driver Mike Hetric was among four drivers inducted into the National Private Truck Council Driver Hall of Fame.
Combined, the four drivers, including Michael Gray Baity (Unifi Manufacturing), Agustin Tamayo (Shaw Transport) and Luther Weaver (Mohawk Carpet Transportation of Georgia), have driven for more than 167 years while racking up more than 19.8 million miles of service without a chargeable accident, according to NPTC and Driver HOF sponsor Omnitracs.
The recognition took place June 14 in conjunction with the NPTC Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition in Cincinnati.
The drivers are from NPTC member companies and have met the minimum qualifications of 20 years, 3 million miles or 50,000 hours of driving without a preventable accident. Many of the drivers have far exceeded these qualifications and are known for having made significant contributions to their industry and their communities.
Since its inception, 112 drivers have been installed in the Driver Hall of Fame.
Hetric started driving 37 years ago and has been with KeHE for the last 26 years. He has driven a total of 4 million miles without a chargeable accident or a moving violation. In his 26 years with KeHE, Hetric has racked up 2.6 million miles. At KeHE, he drives a tractor with trailers ranging from reefer pups up to 53-foot refrigerated trailers, accumulating about 1,900 miles per week delivering dry, refrigerated, and frozen goods from the company’s Bloomington, Ind., distribution center to grocery stores, health stores and independent stores in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
Hetric learned to drive at the Diesel Driving School in Sun Prairie, Wis. His driving career began in 1984 driving straight trucks, delivering candy and cigarettes to convenience stores. In 1986, he moved up to refrigerated tractor-trailer equipment, delivering beef for Winkler Meats. In 1988, he transitioned to dry vans and delivered general commodities for Rayls Bros Transfer, then Thoms Proestler. Finally, in 1994, Hetric began his career with Tree of Life/KeHE Distributors.
The longtime KeHE driver participates in the company’s driver training programs, such as distracted driving, safety outside the cab, and driver engagement. In addition, he is an active Driver Trainer, working with new hires and drivers who need additional post-accident training, as well as coaching warehouse employees interested in earning their CDLs.