A ‘HEALING ROAD FOR ME’ OKC Associate Follows In Late Husband’s Footsteps As City Driver Before his unexpected passing in 2020, Tony Ray was very fond of the Averitt team, and that certainly made an impression on his wife, SIERRA RAY . Tony had come to our Oklahoma City team as a dock associate following the closure of his previous employer. He completed our Dock-To-Driver Training Program , becoming a CDL-A qualified associate and eventually a city driver. “He absolutely loved it,” Sierra recalls. “It was his favorite job and favorite place to ever be employed.” Perhaps in part because of Tony’s experience, Sierra was also in the process of getting hired as a part-time office associate in September 2020. "I had spoken to (Service Center Director) WAYNE BAKER on a Monday,” Sierra says, “then my husband passed away that Thursday. We had been together for 30 years. Wayne told me to take however much time I needed, and they would hold down the fort.” UP TO THE TASK That time allowed Sierra and her family to grieve Tony. Once she joined our team, Sierra quickly learned the ropes. “She worked in a combined role,” Wayne explains, “working the dock but also with admin responsibilities such as driver check-in, imaging bills of lading and delivery receipts, along with several other tasks. She was a very quick learner and always took pride in doing exceptional work with whatever task she was given.” STEERING TOWARD A NEW OPPORTUNITY Needing some extra work, Sierra moved into an available full-time overnight appointments position, a role in which she stayed for about a year. At the same time, she had the desire to get in the driver’s seat. “It was kind of scary to me,” Sierra admits. “But I remember my husband saying something when he got his CDL and how much he loved his job. He said, ‘You ought to get your CDL. I know you could do it. You would be good at it.’ I kept remembering him saying that, so I thought, ‘I might as well try. Averitt gives you the opportunity. They teach you and train you, so I’ll see if I can do it.’” Following in Tony’s footsteps, Sierra completed our Dock-To-Driver Training Program. And she passed the driving test on her first try. “She is one of only two I’ve had in Oklahoma City who have done that,” Wayne says proudly. Sierra became a CDL-A qualified associate in March, and soon after, a city role became available. She applied for and earned the position, and she’s thrilled with where the journey has taken her. “Averitt means more to me than a lot of people realize,” Sierra says. “Everybody here also worked with my husband. I had the same trainer. It’s been a great healing road for me. I feel like everyone here is really pulling for me and encouraging me. They’ve been so helpful. And I feel like my husband would be really, really proud of me right now.”
Oklahoma City associate SIERRA RAY passed her driving test on her first try, and she recently moved into a city driving role.
‘EVERYTHING HAS WORKED OUT’ Sierra also credits her faith for how her story has unfolded. “In the midst of the tragedy, everything has been so great with Averitt,” she says. “I couldn’t have asked for more. I can look back on everything and see God putting my feet on a path. The whole story is astounding. I’m still in shock about everything. It’s sentimental and emotional, but it’s also amazing how everything has worked out. I wouldn’t want to work for anyone else.” READY TO GROW WITH AVERITT? If you’re looking to grow in your own career, we’ve got opportunities! From the Dock-To-Driver Training Program to our Leadership Development Program , there are many ways to take the next step. Remember that our Job Hotline is now available exclusively through MyPortal . To find more information about how you can take advantage of opportunities, including a list of open positions, a link to MyPortal and a video on how we Promote From Within, visit InsideAveritt.com/Opportunities . T m
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