STEVE ROBERTS Mercedes
After retiring from a 22-year career in the Army, Steve Roberts wasn’t quite ready to slow down. And the transition to driving was a natural fit. “I’ve always loved to travel,” he says. “And getting paid for it made it even better.” Although he’s now been driving for 25 years, there was a brief interlude. “My wife got a job at Mercedes, so we moved from Mississippi to Alabama. I spent two years working in a plant, but plant life isn’t for me. I’m an outside person. So I decided to go back to driving, and Averitt was the perfect choice. I’d seen our day cabs and knew I could get a local position to be home every night.” He came on board in 2010. As a dedicated driver for Mercedes, Steve specializes in hauling parts that need reworking, delivering them between staging facilities and the plant. The role requires collaboration and attention to detail, two qualities Steve values in our culture. “Averitt is filled with really nice people. And the equipment’s top-notch.” Steve also appreciates the professionalism that comes with wearing a uniform. “I was in the military for 22 years, so I’m cool with uniforms. But it’s more than just clothes – it’s about a sense of pride. It says something about who we are as a company.” When he’s not on the road, Steve enjoys spending time in his garage, taking on DIY projects and tinkering with tools – much to his wife’s dismay. “She gets on me because I buy tools all the time, but I just like working with my hands,” he says. He also enjoys hunting, fishing (“when they’re biting”), and watching his Mississippi State Bulldogs. For Steve, Averitt has provided a stable and fulfilling career that’s been worth every mile. “Your career here is what you make it,” he says. “If you’re willing to put in the effort, Averitt gives you every opportunity to succeed.”
THOMAS SAYMAN Truckload
Thomas Sayman’s driving career spans four decades, but his fascination with the industry started long before he ever climbed behind the wheel. “I grew up on a farm and my uncle was a truck driver,” he says. “As a kid I used to stand on my grandmother’s stoop, watch the trucks go by, and give them the elbow pump to blow their air horn. When I got out of the Army in 1985, I decided I wanted to see the world and get paid for it.” Since then, he’s driven through 48 states and six Canadian provinces. “Alaska was on my bucket list, but I never got around to it. As for Hawaii, the bridge is still under construction.” Thomas joined our team in 2019 after years as an owner-operator. He was drawn to Averitt after a chance meeting with some associates from On Tour Logistics. “I was impressed,” he says. “They were squared away. The uniforms looked sharp, and the trucks were well-maintained. I thought, if I ever stop being an owner-operator, this is the company I want to work for.” When his truck’s engine failed a year later, he made the switch – and he hasn’t looked back. “The equipment and maintenance here are top-notch,” he says. “My first two trucks as an owner-operator were actually former Averitt trucks. I ran them up to a million miles and only had to change the oil and tires. That says a lot about how we take care of our fleet.” Thomas also appreciates the professional image our associates represent. “As a veteran, I appreciate the uniformity,” he says. “When we all look sharp and put together, it makes a statement about who we are.” When he’s not on the road, Thomas enjoys flying single-engine planes and taking Saturday “bonding trips” with his wife. “We’ll go on little road trips, hit some thrift stores, or head down to Chattanooga to do the touristy stuff. And with In-N-Out popping up about an hour away, that’s definitely going on our list of destinations.”
35
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter