‘TRY TO BE A SPONGE’
VP OF TRUCKLOAD SALES STARTED ON DOCK, READY FOR NEW CHALLENGES The incredible career path of JEFF EDWARDS has been built on relationships and a readiness to meet whatever opportunity presents itself. Because of that, Jeff has grown from a part-time dock associate to his current role as Vice President of Truckload Sales. Jeff gives credit first to the guidance he’s received from his leaders and mentors through the years, because those relationships have helped him develop into the leader he is today. “There’s a long list of them,” says Jeff, who began his Averitt career in 1989 in Louisville while he was in college. “I spent most of my career with (Region 2 Vice President of Operations) MIKE MONIN . He and I have been together for 37 years. If I were to go down the list, I’d probably miss a few. But the easy ones are also (Vice President of Corporate Business Development) MIKE WISE and (Vice President of Sales) ROGERS LUNA . They are quality individuals who have helped me out in my career.” Jeff says another key to his success has been surrounding himself with like-minded people in every role he’s served. “My path has been made easier through the people around me,” he says. “I don’t know where I’d be if I didn't have the support that I’ve had throughout the years.” CONSISTENT GROWTH After starting on the dock, Jeff became a relay dispatcher and was later promoted to a quality leader position that included guiding OS&D and W&R associates. From there, he became an operations manager in Louisville, then moved to a corporate sales role. Eventually, he was promoted to a regional leadership position, and for about nine years he served as our Region 2 Vice President of Sales. All that experience set the table for where he is now. “About every five to seven years, a new opportunity presented itself,” Jeff
recalls. “And I would raise my hand and be fortunate enough to be chosen for whatever role I was seeking.” ‘CHALLENGE YOURSELF’ Jeff says that willingness to step up can help every associate make the most of their Averitt careers. “As the opportunities present themselves, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself,” Jeff explains. “Second, within any role, you have to learn as much as you can. Try to be a sponge. If you want to get in sales, for example, try to find out what that job entails. Find out everything you need to know to be successful in that role.” Jeff says our culture is yet another reason we’re able to build on our commitment to Promote From Within . “It’s sometimes hard to put into words. You have to be part of Averitt to understand it,” he says. “Once you’re in the culture, you quickly realize how special it is. We don’t have a lot of people who leave. And it’s funny how people who have left come back because we do have such a great culture.” NEW TOOL TO HELP YOU GROW We recently unveiled a new Jobs page, and it can help you be on the lookout for your next opportunity. Whether you’re looking to get into the driver’s seat, transfer to another position or facility, or be promoted to a leadership role, you can find all you need at InsideAveritt.com/Jobs . There you can find a list of all open positions and express your interest in any of them with a simple click of a button! T m
Develop safe habits in every aspect of your job. “ Injury-free starts with me. ” Say it. Mean it.
Watch our training module at InsideAveritt.com/InjuryPrevention
NEW LEADERS
RETIREES Thank you for your service to our team!
Jerry Butler David Henry Linda Johnson Larry McCargo Masceo Runnels
Darlington Corporate Corporate Memphis
Bobby Sisemore Kevin Slifka Cedric Thomas
Chattanooga Bowling Green
Miami
Amy Wilson
Corporate EXPEDITED LEADER
Otis Vasley
Milwaukee
Tisha Brewington
Corporate
Dallas
matters
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COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
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