Driver-Trainers, Driver Development Centers Play Vital Role DEVELOPING FOR THE FUTURE
Cookeville instructors GARY CRAIGHEAD (left) and BRUCE WHITTAKER (right) are two seasoned associates who bring great experience to our Driver Development Center team.
career? Let your leader know about your goals, and check out our available opportunities at InsideAveritt.com/Opportunities. IN POSITION TO SUCCEED Our Driver Development Centers are another way we develop our associates. There are currently three of these facilities – Cookeville, Decatur and Lexington – and since the start of 2022, they have produced 375 graduates. Each center has instructors who have a wealth of Averitt experience – 42- year associate BRUCE WHITTAKER and 39-year associate GARY CRAIGHEAD in Cookeville; 37-year veteran DANNY WOODALL in Decatur; and DALE SANDERS in Lexington, who drove for 38 years and has spent close to 20 with Averitt. The development centers are used for a variety of purposes. Among them are preparing newer drivers for the road; acclimating drivers with experience at other companies; or helping current drivers fine-tune their skills as needed. “We have drivers who may have worked for a carrier that only pulled bulk, which we don’t do. With that, you never really backed,” Jason explains. “Or maybe they drove for a beverage company and hauled around a 30-foot pup all day. All those require a Class A, but all three are vastly different roles. We also have teammates who have a lot of experience at one of our competitors. The equipment may be similar, but our processes are vastly different. So our Driver Development Center trainers work with them to get them acclimated to Averitt.” Jason adds that the Driver Development Centers are a valuable resource for associates who may be coming off a leave for injury or illness. “We want to make sure they have the opportunity to ease back into it,” he explains. “We’ve been doing that for the past few years, and it’s been very successful.” With both driver-trainers and our Driver Development Centers, the goal is the same. “We want to put our drivers in the best position they can be,” Jason says. Thank you to our driver-trainers and Driver Development Center instructors for developing our driving force and putting us in position for a bright future. That’s the Averitt Way at work! T m DALE SANDERS
Our driver-trainers and Driver Development Centers play a vital role in helping our driving force be the best it can be. And both groups have loads of experience to pass along to our associates. MUCH MORE THAN DRIVING We currently have more than 330 driver-trainers throughout our network. According to JASON BOLTON of our safety leadership, every service center or Dedicated facility has at least one, and larger facilities may have more. When we talk about the Averitt Way, we’re referring to our unique culture. One of the most important ways we foster that culture is by recruiting the best teammates, developing them to their fullest potential and promoting from within.
Jason says that when the need arises for more driver-trainers, his team asks facilities for their recommendations and the process begins. “The people who want to be driver-trainers are those who have a passion for developing the next generation of drivers,” explains Jason, a 34-year team member who
JASON BOLTON
himself was a driver-trainer in Louisville for several years. “They’re ’ the best of the best of the best,’ and they’re leading by example and doing the right things. What we try to do is identify that and fine-tune it a bit. You’ve got to have the desire to do it. Not every good driver can teach those skills to others.” Once potential driver-trainers are identified, they go
through a thorough vetting and training process to ensure they’re ready for their new role. Jason adds that being a driver-trainer is much more than teaching people how to drive. “For example, in LTL, you’re showing how to sign bills of lading, how to use our tablets, working with customers, how to run your route, etc.,” Jason says. “We want to make
DANNY WOODALL
sure our driver-trainers are solid and understand all those things.” Are you interested in becoming a driver-trainer or growing in your Averitt
SAFETY AWARDS For a complete list of Safety Award winners, including five- and 10-year recipients, visit InsideAveritt.com.
OVER 20 TEAM We’re proud to add members to our Over 20 Team! The following associates joined our team in February 2004: Donna Gore Corporate Sergio Mendez Owensboro Ioan Ozarchevici Lexington Jeffrey Peace Atlanta West
25 YEARS Timothy Long Samuel Rodeffer 15 YEARS Stanley Anderson Lamont Ellis Bret Robertson
Clifford Phillips Trevin Pressley Thomas Turner
Nashville Charleston
St. Louis Knoxville
Yorozu Automotive
Christopher Wilson
Cookeville
30 YEARS Albert Nelson Jr. Michael Vencill
Cracker Barrel Baton Rouge
For a list of February milestone service awards, including the newest members of our Over 20 Team, visit InsideAveritt.com .
Greenville Charlotte
Charlotte
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