INFORMING OUR ASSOCIATES ABOUT ALL THINGS AVERITT • HOLIDAY EDITION • 2024 COMMUNITY CHALLENGE matters On the twelfth day of Christmas, Averitt gave to me… On the twelfth day of Christmas, Averitt gave to me…
Watch this year's Christmas video at HappyHolidaysFromAveritt.com!
HOLIDAYS SHOW HOW WE COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM A common theme I hear from associates throughout our network is that our culture feels like a family. I’m thankful for that
culture, and I’m proud that we have such a close-knit team. That atmosphere is one of the many reasons we are a leader in the transportation industry. I’m especially reminded of our culture during the holidays. Just like you do
with your own families, we work for a common purpose. The ongoing Team Up Community Challenge has been an important tradition for several years, and it’s humbling to see the difference we make P2
TEAM NOTES From Gary Sasser
CONTINUING TO SHINE
In the third quarter, an amount equal to 7.119% of your pay was contributed to your 401(k) retirement account. That is our third-best third quarter on record, and it’s significantly more than the average match offered by most companies! “Our associates’ dedication to excellence is the reason we are able to achieve successes like these,” says President and Chief Operating Officer BARRY BLAKELY . “I want to say thank you for making it possible, and thank you for all you do to keep us moving forward.” To learn more about how you make a difference in the amount of Profit Sharing we earn, visit InsideAveritt.com/ProfitSharing . T m Excellent Profit Sharing Performance In Third Quarter Profit Sharing allows us to see the result of our efforts in real time, and it’s an excellent example of how we can win individually and as a team.
Turning off the lights. Using less water. Conserving fuel. They’re all simple actions that help put more money in everyone’s pockets. PROFIT SHARING TURBOCHARGER SOME PEOPLE SEE A LIGHT SWITCH. AVERITT ASSOCIATES SEE A
IN THIS EDITION ... AND COMING SOON
Inserted in this month’s edition of Team Matters is our 2025 sticky pad calendar. Also, please note that in the next edition of Team Matters, all associates will find our Key Contacts card. Additionally, driving associates will receive our Quick Reference Guide, as well as a handy Hazmat Information Sheet. T m
FROM GARY SASSER PG. 1 - in the lives of others in need. We team up to give food, clothing, toys and more. I’m always amazed at how you find ways to lift up people in your communities, and I look forward to seeing your service projects this year. Speaking of team efforts, I want to let you know how thankful I am for the way you recently
responded to help fellow associates and others around you following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The impact you made was obvious to everyone, and many customers jumped at the opportunity to assist in the relief effort. You truly showed the type of people who make up Averitt. Because of our family atmosphere and how we work together to meet whatever comes our way, I’m
more confident than ever about the future. As we wrap up 2024 and get ready for a new year, I want to thank you for making us such a strong family. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones, and I wish you the best in 2025!
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READY FOR THE FUTURE
Plenty Of Infrastructure Enhancements Scheduled For 2025 An important way we secure our future is by investing in our facilities. That’s because top- notch facilities help our associates experience the best possible quality of life on the job, and they keep us prepared for future growth. The past year has kept us busy with several projects throughout our network. • A new Tyler service center, with a dock and parking expansion • Addition of Driver Support Centers in Cookeville and San Antonio • Shop updates in Cookeville, Houston and San Antonio • New warehouse in San Antonio ON TAP FOR 2025 As we get closer to 2025, we have plans that will keep us in prime position to take advantage of more opportunities with our customers. Among the scheduled projects are: • Dock expansion in Knoxville • Facility remodel in Miami • New facilities in Dothan, Montgomery, Oklahoma City and Tulsa • Addition of a new location in Ocala, Fla.
Among the many features of our new San Antonio service center are a warehouse, shop updates and Driver Support Center.
We’re proud of the expansions and enhancements that we completed in 2024, and we’re excited about our plans for 2025 and beyond. And you can bet that we’ll continue to invest in the best facilities, because that allows us to serve Our Customers , meet the needs of Our Associates and prepare us for Our Future ! T m
With 2024 winding down, remember that uniform-eligible associates can take advantage of up to $150 in allotment . The 2024 allotment will expire Dec. 31. So if you haven’t used your full allotment, the holidays are a perfect time to treat yourself and keep your uniform sharp at the same time! Looking ahead to 2025, your allotment will be available on Jan. 1 , and you can use it immediately. While we await the arrival of the uniform catalog, you can place your order online at any time. Please note that MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ALLOTMENT Use Remaining 2024 Allotment, Plus 2025 Uniformity Info
ANOTHER OPTION FOR YOUR PAID TIME OFF Cash In Up To Two Weeks Of PTO
we anticipate the catalogs to arrive around mid-February. When you use your full allotment before March 31, you’ll be entered in our series of gift card drawings. • Use your full allotment by Jan. 31 for a chance to win a $500 gift card • Use your full allotment by Feb. 28 for a chance to win a $250 gift card • Use your full allotment by March 31 for a chance to win a $100 gift card For more information about our Uniformity program, visit InsideAveritt.com/Uniforms . T m
Did you know that all hourly and mileage associates – including non-driving and corporate – have the option of cashing in unused paid time off? In years past, this has been handled by our Payroll team. Now, the process is self-service through MyPortal, where it is known as “selling off” PTO. In the Request Time Off widget, choose the Sell Time Off option, and then select the PTO plan. You can request individual days up to two weeks. Click on the request under Sell Time Off Requests, then click Submit . Remember that if you don’t use or “sell off” your PTO before Dec. 31, 2024, it will be lost. Need help with selling off PTO? Contact the MyPortal Help Team at MyPortalHelp@Averitt.com , or call 844-805-6189 . T m
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LTL BY THE STROKE OF NOON New Service Meets Growing Demand For Expedited Innovative and creative services move us forward and set us apart in the industry. That’s why we’re excited to let you know about our new Guaranteed By Noon LTL service. Designed to meet the increasing demand for expedited services, Guaranteed By Noon LTL will be featured at all our service centers. According to Vice President of LTL Operations LARRY MASON , the idea developed from something we were already doing. “As part of our normal daily routine, we realized we were currently delivering more than 60% of our shipments before noon, many of which were local promises made to customers,” recalls Larry. “Adding this as a service offering allows us to better manage the process, and it gives us additional revenue to support the additional effort and cost to provide the service.” JUST A CLICK AWAY Larry says customer feedback was the primary driver for Guaranteed By Noon LTL, especially those who use our Averitt Connect transportation management system.
“Guaranteed By Noon LTL provides our customers more options when setting up new shipments on Averitt Connect, with a pricing structure that is unique,” Larry explains. “There’s no need to make a phone call – they can just check the box or write it on the bill of lading.” EXPEDITED OPTIONS While not all ZIP codes are part of our Guaranteed By Noon LTL, our Expedited team is available to unlock even more solutions if needed. “We’re listening to the needs and wants of our customers,” Larry says. “We have also enhanced our ability to provide time-specific Expedited options when our customers need something more than before noon or before 5 p.m. Or, when the destination ZIP code does not apply to our standard before noon offering, we are ready to offer a time-specific service through our Expedited team.” To learn more about our new Guaranteed By Noon LTL service, visit Averitt.com/Guaranteed . T m
GEORGE REMBERT has been with our team for about five years, and during that time he’s experienced a definite upward trend in his career growth. George started out at our Charlotte warehouse, and he also spent some time at our service center on the dock before going full time in 2021. George transitioned to a relay freight clerk role and also worked in OS&D before being promoted to frontline leader earlier this year. “When I saw all the different things people did at the service center, I could see the potential for growth within the company,” George recalls. One of the keys to George’s growth has been his willingness to raise his hand and take on new opportunities. “I’ve always been one of those people that anytime someone asks if I want to learn something else, I raise my hand and say, ‘Yes, I want to learn how to do that,’” George explains. “I always want to learn and develop. And I’m the type of person who tries to encourage people to POSITIVELY GROWING Charlotte Frontline Leader Started In Warehouse
and being willing to learn and grow. I understand passion and when someone is pushing me. And (Charlotte operations manager) RODNEY TATE is probably one of the most passionate people I know when it comes to pushing people to be better.” George encourages associates who want to grow in their own careers to go out on a limb and ask for more responsibilities. “Try to learn every day and better yourself,” he says. “Learn from your mistakes and don’t let them define you. I wake up every day trying to be better and see where there are opportunities for me to grow. I don’t like the feeling of being complacent. You should always be trying to do something different or be better than you were the day before.” WANT TO GROW IN YOUR OWN CAREER? If you’re ready to take the next step in your Averitt career, check out our Opportunities page at InsideAveritt.com/Opportunities . There, you’ll find a list of open positions, information about our Leadership Development and Dock-To-Driver Training programs, and testimonial videos from associates who have grown in their own careers. T m
do more for themselves. And some of the people I started out with, I’ve been able to see them grow, and we always talk about how we’ve come a long way.” George adds that seeing the good in every situation is helpful, because it allows him to build on constructive feedback and improve in everything he does. And George has learned a lot from his leadership in The Queen City. “I try to see the positive in what people are saying,” he says. “I’m a very optimistic person. I attribute a lot of my growth to my frontline leaders
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Are you or your dependents continuing your education beyond high school? The Scott Wolf Memorial Scholarship is an important tradition that helps us give back to teammates, and the scholarship is now accepting applications through Feb. 1, 2025 . The scholarship is open to all full-time and part-time Averitt associates and their dependents who seek to continue their education beyond high school. Following the application process, winners will be notified on April 15, 2025. Scott Wolf served as our Vice President of Corporate Services until his passing in 2012. Honoring his wishes, the Wolf family set up a scholarship APPLY NOW FOR SCOTT WOLF SCHOLARSHIP Applications Accepted Through Feb. 1
fund in Scott’s name, hoping to find a way to give back to those who Scott cared so much about: his fellow Averitt associates. Since the program began, there have been 109 scholarship winners representing 14 states! And because of our team’s continued support, each
winner receives a $1,000 scholarship ! To learn more about the scholarship, visit InsideAveritt.com/ScottWolfScholarship . T m
People Like You are very important for our future success, because you know others who would be a great fit for our culture. These associates earned referral rewards after their referrals were hired to the Averitt team! SHOWING THE POWER OF ONE MORE Associates Referring People Like You, Earning Referral Rewards
EXPERT HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT Did you know? Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by ComPsych through Voya, is a confidential service designed to offer free, professional counseling support for personal or work-related challenges. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, or other emotional concerns, the EAP is here to provide expert help whenever you need it! Get connected with a specialist today by calling 877- 533-2363. Tm
Houston city driver KEVIN HUGHES
Little Rock city driver KIRK PERKINS
NEW LEADERS
Ty Miller
Service Center Director LUBBOCK
Dakota Wentz
Frontline Leader TULSA Frontline Leader DALLAS
Dwayne Christians
Nashville Corporate Houston Knoxville Fort Smith Atlanta East
Cathy Frizzell
Jose Flores Frontline Leader LUBBOCK Gia Joiner Human Resources Coordinator CORPORATE Marcus Johnson Site Manager PODS MERDIAN Amanda Lee
Adam Reeves
Frontline Leader CHARLOTTE
Cole Williams
Paul Kolb
Roger Neely Leo Olguin Ricky Phillips Loyd Solomon William Walker
Sheri Schmitt
Site Manager DRiVE
RETIREES Thank you for your service to our team! Robert Austin Orlando Clyde Ball Tri-Cities Michael Beard Beaumont
Robert Speer
Carrier Sales Rep CORPORATE
AO Smith
Dallas
Frontline Leader CRACKER BARREL
B.J. Vanhooser
Night Dispatch Leader CORPORATE
Jay Weldon
Mayfield Knoxville
George Whaley
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HOLIDAY EDITION 2 0 2 4
A PLACE VETERANS CAN CALL HOME
Averitt Honored With Military Friendly Awards We’re proud to have a military-friendly
The Military Friendly designation is viewed by many as the industry standard for measuring companies’ commitment, effort and success in creating a positive culture for military veterans. The 2024 Military Friendly survey evaluated more than 1,000 companies, and employers were measured across six key categories: Recruiting & Sourcing, Policies & Compliance, Support & Retention, Culture & Commitment, Opportunity & Advancement, and Hiring & Onboarding. Our team’s military representation is impressive, as approximately 15% of associates are veterans. Their service includes the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard. “We are thankful for all those who have served and continue to serve our country, and we want to do all we can to thank them for that service,” says GARY SASSER , who served in the Marine Corps Reserves. “We strongly believe in being a team that service members can call home, providing a place where veterans are valued for their service.” For more information about the Military Friendly survey and program, visit MilitaryFriendly.com . And for more information about our commitment to military veterans, visit AverittSalutesYou.com . T m
Averitt earned the following recognition: • 2025 Military Friendly Employer Gold Rank • Military Friendly Spouse Employer “Organizations earning the Military Friendly Employer designation have wholeheartedly invested in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that bring about positive, life-changing results for our valued service members, dedicated military spouses and esteemed veterans within their ranks,” says Kayla Lopez of Military Friendly’s leadership. atmosphere, and our culture was recognized for the seventh consecutive year by Viqtory, a veteran-owned organization dedicated to supporting military service members’ transitions to civilian life.
We have finally arrived at the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than by extending a helping hand. Our fellow associates are continuing the tradition of generosity through our ongoing Team Up Community Challenge . We’re always excited to discover the creative This holiday season is ripe for giving back to your community Making a difference by Teaming Up
ways in which you collaborate. Whether it’s meals for the hungry, food donations for shelters, or volunteering at a school program, your commitment to helping others reflects our team’s strong culture. However you decide to contribute, we want to know about it. Send all of your Team Up Community Challenge project updates and photos to TeamUp@averitt.com. Remember, every hour of community service results in a matching contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids! Look for a special issue of Team Matters early next year to see how you and your teammates made an impact on your communities!
For more information about how the Team Up Community Challenge works, visit InsideAveritt.com/TeamUp . T m
OVER 20 TEAM We’re proud to add members to our Over 20 Team! The following associates joined our team in November & December 2004: November Howard Burns Birmingham Daniel Dovalina Laredo Zury Drucker Corporate Kevin Wilkerson Bowling Green Patricia Forte Birmingham Terry Morgan Atlanta West Jeffery Albrittian Atlanta East Clinton Brittain Lexington
30 YEARS Terry Jones Gregory Looney 20 YEARS Steven Ducksworth Adnan Hussain Mario Ramirez Paul Henry Salas 15 YEARS Marcus Profit Robert Sawyer Francisco Tapia
Bryant McDaniel Carlos Tamarez Amanda Lee Dayna Pierce Jessica Young Rollie Tabor
Charlotte
Deborah Coker Shawnya Goss Brandon Crawford
Birmingham Corporate
Miami
Tri-Cities Nashville
Cracker Barrel
Dothan
Corporate Corporate Mayfield Mobile Meridian Corporate Richmond Hickory Corporate
For a list of Nov./Dec. milestone service awards, including the newest members of our Over 20 Team, visit InsideAveritt.com . SAFETY AWARDS For a complete list of Safety Award winners, including five- and 10-year recipients, visit InsideAveritt.com.
Norfolk Lexington
December
Curtis Dixon Tony Giles Angie Swift
El Paso
San Antonio
TEAM UP SHINES ‘DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS’ Freddie Daum Lexington
Karl Dyer
Memphis Houston Chicago
Charles Withers Donna Agee
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SERVICE AWARDS
Below are the five-year milestones of associates WHO HAVE SERVED 20 YEARS OR MORE with our team. To view all available photos of our latest service awards, visit InsideAveritt.com.
Tri-Cities associate DAVID CRAVER (right, 30 years) with Service Center Director Jackie Whitehead (left)
Chattanooga associate TERRY ROYAL (left, 35 years) with Service Center Director David Harlan (right)
Memphis associate FREDRICK DAVIS (right, 30 years) with operations manager Brian Hopper (left)
Corporate associate CATHY FRIZZELL (40 years)
Greenville associate MAURICE SHERMAN (right, 30 years) with frontline leader Michelle Mahaffey (left)
Atlanta West associate JOE FOUTY (center, 30 years) with operations manager Dwayne Gribble (left) and Service Center Director Zach Ervin (right)
Atlanta West associate DWAYNE BURTON (center, 25 years) with operations manager Dwayne Gribble (right) and Service Center Director Zach Ervin (left)
Corporate associate LISA COLE (right, 25 years) with EDI Systems leader Judy Sain (left)
Atlanta West associate STEWART CONKLE (center, 25 years) with operations manager Dwayne Gribble (left) and Service Center Director Zach Ervin (right)
Corporate associate MARCIE COUNTS (25 years)
Little Rock associate ROBERT MCCLURG (25 years)
St. Louis associate CHRISTOPHER LEMBECK (left, 25 years) with Service Center Director Scot Hollocher (right)
Greenville associate STEVEN THORP (center, 25 years) with frontline leader David Hawkins (left) and Service Center Director Jonathan Jimenez (right)
Atlanta East associate ERIC OWENS (left, 25 years) with Service Center Director Gary Taylor (right)
Corporate associate JACK SEVIER (left, 25 years) with process engineering manager Keith Pulley (right)
Memphis associate BRYAN MOORE (right, 25 years) with operations manager Brian Hopper (left)
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Remember that from now until the end of 2024, we have an additional incentive to check out what items you could be earning. When you log in to your account by Dec. 31, you’ll be entered in a drawing for either an iPad or a tablet! To see how many points you have available, learn more about Red Thinkin’ Rewards and get entered in the drawing, visit InsideAveritt.com/Rewards . T m
WANT TO WIN AN IPAD OR TABLET?
Log In To Red Thinkin’ Rewards By Dec. 31 Our Red Thinkin’ Rewards program offers a unique opportunity to cash in on a job well done, with thousands of items available in the catalog.
This is where safety really clicks. Buckle up. Every time.
Watch our video at InsideAveritt.com/Responsibilities
When we go above and beyond to provide excellent service, it shows that Our Heroes Wear Red! These associates went the extra mile to represent Averitt with pride – and our customers said it showed! COMING THROUGH ON OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE
AUDREA BRIMAH – Atlanta East We love Audrea because her personality is one of a kind. She really knows how to take care of us. I personally believe she is the best dispatcher in the industry. When things get chaotic, she knows how to keep her cool. Clarence, Hyundai Welding – Lawrenceville, Georgia LOGAN DAVENPORT – Atlanta East Logan is truly outstanding! He’s a shining example of why Averitt consistently has the best drivers. Logan’s efficiency and professionalism stand out, and I personally appreciate his strong work ethic and exceptional customer service. Tim and Brent, Patterson Pump – Toccoa, GA
STANLEY HOLLAND – Nashville He is one of our favorite drivers! He represents Averitt exceptionally well. We love seeing him every time he pulls up to our location! Stanley is an example of an amazing driver. Dan, Triton Stone Group – Nashville, Tennessee EMMETT NICHOLS – Winchester Emmett is one of my favorite drivers to work with. He never complains. Every time I see him, he has a positive attitude. It is always a pleasure to work with him. T.C., Lawn and Leisure – Sterling, VA
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