C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters I N F O R M I N G O U R A S S O C I A T E S A B O U T A L L T H I N G S A V E R I T T • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1
PEOPLE LIKE YOU: WACO CITY DRIVER SHARES HER STORY TO HELP US GROW P5 CAREERGROWTH: NEW SERVICE CENTER DIRECTOR STARTED AS CITY DRIVER P9 50 YEARSOF SUCCESS: LONGTIME TRUCKLOAD DRIVER TALKS AVERITT CULTURE P4
Driver AppreciationWeek was all about celebrating the best team in the business. Seemore of how our team celebrated this special tradition on P2. CELEBRATING THE BEST TEAM
50 YEARS – A SPECIAL MILESTONE
From Day 1, we said Our Driving Force Is People . And the quality of people we have has allowed us to move forward by focusing on Our Customers, Our Associates and Our Future. Our response to the challenges of the P2
to be a team effort as we challenge ourselves to be innovative and creative. We started this journey in 1971 in the most humble of beginnings with just a few associates, and since that time we’ve overcome many, many challenges.
TEAM NOTES From Gary Sasser
October marks our celebration of 50 years as a team, and that’s a milestone we can all be proud of. It’s been a team effort, and it will continue
SHOWING OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION
Driver Appreciation Week Celebrated Across Our System Our team was proud to join in the national celebration of Driver Appreciation Week Sept. 12-18. The week was made even more special by recognizing our team’s 50th anniversary as well.
Freightliners! Congratulations to CRYSTAL AUSTIN (Hickory), REY CABIGQUEZ (Houston), TROYSHAWN DOWNEY (Greensboro), TIM JOHNSON (Charlotte) and ROGER LANGLIE (Little Rock). Check out photos, podcasts, a special video and more at InsideAveritt.com/DAW2021. T m
In addition to grab-and-go meals, daily prize drawings and numerous giveaways, five lucky Truckload drivers were assigned brand-new 2022
MI AMI
KNOXV I LLE
HARL I NGEN
MERCEDES
T YLER
ORL ANDO
TUPELO
WEST PALM BE ACH
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Included in this month’s edition of TeamMatters are our 2022 STICKY PAD CALENDAR, and our UNIFORM AND GROOMING GUIDE.
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Oct. 12 Louisville Oct. 13 Cincinnati Oct. 14 Cincinnati Nov. 16 Charlotte Nov. 17 Greensboro Nov. 18 Knoxville Dec. 6 Nashville Dec. 7 Chattanooga
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Make plans to attend a cookout near you! View more appreciation cookouts on the Events Calendar at InsideAveritt.com .
2-8p
11a-5p
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*Please remember to follow up-to-date CDC guidance regarding illness prevention.
FROM GARY SASSER PG. 1 last year and a half show exactly what the Averitt team is made of. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, a lot of our competitors stopped their associate programs. Public companies canceled their profit sharing. Because we’re independent and we don’t have to answer to Wall Street, we continued to contribute Profit Sharing
to associates’ accounts, and we had record Profit Sharing in the first half of this year. Because we work together as a team, we also share the reward, and I’m extremely proud of that. We believe 50 years is just the beginning. That’s why we’re committed to investing in the best for the long haul. That investment comes in many forms, including wages, Profit
Sharing, benefits, and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. We like to say, “We’re proud of our past and even more excited about our future,” and that’s because our future is very bright. Focusing on the future is one of our core values. We know that every day, we’re going to face more challenges. And we can overcome them as long as
we stay true to the commitments that we started with from Day 1. Thank you again for making us the best team in the business. I’m very blessed and thankful to be part of this team, and I look forward to many more successful years and milestones together.
C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters
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‘VERY BLESSED TO BE WITH AVERITT’
25-YEAR TRUCKLOAD DRIVER TALKS ABOUT OUR CULTURE
Cookeville Truckload driver TIM FORD has seen that culture up close for 25 of those years, and he says it’s easy to see why we’ve experienced continued success. “From what I’ve seen, other companies can’t match Averitt with our equipment, how our drivers are treated, and how the culture is very caring and how we treat everyone,” Tim explains. “It really amazes me how 25 years have gone so quickly. I feel very blessed to be with Averitt.” Tim initially came to Averitt because he wanted to have weekly home time – at his previous job, he was on the road 3-6 weeks at a time. “At first, I was just amazed that they said I’d be home weekly,” he recalls. “Across the board, there were a lot of things that made me think I would make my career with Averitt.” Tim points out our top-notch equipment and our benefits as two more reasons he’s glad to be part of the Big Red team. “The equipment is so much newer and so much better. The benefits are fantastic, and you’ve got the 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan,” he says. “You see what other companies have, and they’re so far behind what Averitt offers.” In his role as a Truckload driver, Tim is particularly thankful to be able to take advantage of the many amenities of our secure facilities. Our people and our culture are among the most important reasons we’re able to celebrate 50 years as a team.
Cookeville Truckload driver TIM FORD (right), shown with GARY SASSER (center) and Truckload operations leader LYLE DANIELS (left) in 2016, has seen our unique culture up close for 25 years.
“The service centers are great,” he says. “You’ve got everything that you could possibly want or need there. I prefer staying at the service centers, because it’s quieter, and you’ve got fuel, showers and the truck washes at a lot of them. How many other places could you go where you have facilities like the Driver Support Centers with big, cushioned chairs?” On top of all those things, Tim shares a story about GARY SASSER that highlights our people-focused culture. “At one point when I was working a dedicated run to El Paso, we got back in on Christmas Eve,” Tim recalls. “Mr. Sasser came over to the Cookeville service center and met us when we got in to wish us a Merry Christmas. I thought that was great, and it was super special.” Tim adds, “I think all those things are why we’ve had 50 years of success, and I think that will be the major reason we’ll keep going and do as well as we’ve done. We’ve done some fantastic things, and I think we have a great, bright future ahead of us.” T m
FANTASTIC FOUR … AGAIN! Because of our commitment to delivering outstanding service, our customers have let us know howmuch they appreciate it. We were recently recognized for the 23rd consecutive year with Quest for Quality awards, which are based on customer feedback and are among the most recognized in the industry. Averitt Earns Four Quest For Quality Awards Also because of your efforts, this year
information technology, customer service, and equipment and operations. This year’s awards show the continued respect that Averitt has earned for decades. Since 1999, we’ve earned at least one Quest for Quality award every year, and no other carrier in the South has earned more Quest for Quality awards than the Big Red team! Recognition like this is one of the many reasons we’ve been a transportation leader for 50 years. Thank you for all you do to make it happen! For more information about our Quest for Quality awards, log on to InsideAveritt.com/QuestForQuality2021 . T m
marks the third consecutive year we were honored in four categories! Averitt placed second in the South/South Central Regional LTL and Expedited Motor Carrier categories and we also received recognition in Full Load Dry Freight, and Value Added Warehousing and Distribution Solutions. Management, which is one of the most respected and widely read publications in the transportation industry. Logistics Management determines the winners by surveying thousands of customers on criteria such as on-time performance, value, The Quest for Quality awards are announced each year by Logistics
4 AWARDS IN 2021 Quest Quality For
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE IN NAMING AVERITT YOUR #1CHOICE!
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50 YEARS
FUTURE
PROUD OF OUR FIRST
MORE EXCITED ABOUT OUR
REFERRING AND DEVELOPING FOR THE FUTURE
Learn more about our dock-to-driver training program at InsideAveritt.com/DockToDriver.
Tulsa, Mayfield Teams Great Success Stories
MORE SUCCESS I N MAYF I ELD Our Mayfield team has also experienced success with our dock-to-driver training program and referring People Like You. Four of the five most recent drivers started on the dock, and the fifth was a referral. Mayfield also currently has two associates in the dock-to-driver program. Mayfield service center director ED DEESE says the dock-to-driver program is a win-win, because associates get to save money that they would have spent attending a school, and they get paid while they’re training. “Also, we already know them and what kind of workers they are, and they’ve already been introduced to the Averitt culture,” Ed adds. “They’ve been working with the freight that they’re now going to pick up and deliver,
For example, 19 of our 29 Tulsa drivers were either referred to Averitt or developed through our dock-to-driver training program. That success has taken place alongside the overall growth of our Tulsa service center – 12 years ago, we had just five total drivers. Two keys to our success for the future are finding People Like You and helping associates take advantage of career-growth opportunities. And our Tulsa and Mayfield teams have proved to be great examples of that. “Most of our leadership team has been with us a long time, and most started in a dock or driving position,” he explains. “We realized that we needed to find the next generation of people who will eventually take our place. We’ve sought out people to come work for us and get entrenched in our culture.” One of the Tulsa growth stories belongs to city driver GRANT BREWER , who started as a part-time dock associate after being referred to Averitt, and then went through our dock-to-driver training program. Tulsa service center director JUSTIN BURKETT says his team’s strategy has been the same one that’s worked for Averitt for 50 years. JUST I N BURKET T
so they already have an idea of how we move things, stack and brace. That gives them a successful foundation to become a driver.”
STEER YOUR CAREER I N A NEW D I RECT I ON
Are you interested in learning more about our dock- to-driver training program? Log on to InsideAveritt. com/DockToDriver to see associate testimonials, and talk with your leader to see if it’s available at your facility. THE POWER OF ONE MORE Remember, when you refer like-minded friends and family to Averitt, you could earn $1,000 in referral rewards and 2,500 Red Thinkin’ Rewards points! To learn more about our People Like You referral program, and to see a list of open positions, log on to InsideAveritt.com/PeopleLikeYou . T m ED DEESE
“At first, I thought it would be a part-time job just like anything else,” Grant recalls. “But I got acquainted here, and I learned about all the opportunities that are available. And with the atmosphere here, I learned that Averitt is a good place to stay with opportunities to move up.”
GRANT BREWER
Byron Hicks Frontline Leader FULTON CO. DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT David Humphreys Frontline Leader DARLINGTON Mitchell Jimenez Rivera Frontline Leader ORLANDO James Nichols Operations Leader FULTON CO. DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT Casey Palmer Frontline Leader ATLANTA EAST
Deanna Sonnenburg
Frontline Leader AUSTIN Frontline Leader ATLANTA EAST Frontline Leader FORT MYERS
William Berry Morris Campbell Darlington Roxanne Fitzgerald Shenandoah Valley David Jordan Atlanta West Dean Musso Corporate Chuck Paczkowski ViJon Marc Pendel Cracker Barrel Patricia Shaw Lexington David Sparks Raleigh Shenandoah Valley
N EW L E AD E R S
Fredrick Watts
Kathleen Bright Frontline Leader LOUISVILLE Michael Dickerson Systems Security Leader CORPORATE Shannon Fisher Truckload Fleet Leader CORPORATE Ryan Goodner Dir. Business Development CORPORATE
Sharon Young
R E T I R E E S Thank you for your service to our team!
C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters
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Waco Teammate Shares Averitt Culture To Refer New Teammates ‘AVERITT CARES ABOUT ASSOCIATES’ Waco city driver ANNIE HOLLOMAN has done a great job helping our team grow by referring three new Averitt teammates this year! James Degrate, Michael Holt and Shawn Lawrence have each hired on to join Annie on our Waco team, and that’s a win for everyone. Annie shares some key points about what’s most important to her, and how that helps her communicate our unique culture to potential teammates. After a stint on our team some years ago, Annie left to go work for another company. In March 2020, Annie rejoined the Averitt team, and our unique culture is the biggest reason why she returned and now calls Averitt home. She believes these are the same reasons why she’s been able to help her referrals make the same decision. “I just tell others why I choose Averitt,” says Annie. “Our company is highly organized and offers good pay and great driver support. That all goes to show that Averitt cares about associates.” We want to say congratulations to Annie for helping our team find more People Like You . That goes a long way to secure our next 50 years and beyond!
Waco city driver ANNIE HOLLOMAN has seen three of her referrals get hired to Averitt this year.
EVERY TH I NG YOU NEED ON AVER I T TCAREERS . com Do you know someone who would look great in Averitt Red? Invite them to visit AverittCareers.com to see how they could fit right in. AverittCareers.com doesn’t just show career opportunities. It tells our Averitt story. With interactive content and videos featuring real Averitt associates, we’re excited to give prospective teammates a glimpse into our team’s unique culture. Opportunities abound here, so check out AverittCareers.com for open positions that you would like to fill with People Like You.
AVER I T TCAREERS . com KE Y FE ATURES • view all open positions within our team
• learn about pay, benefits, charitable giving and unique culture • listen to podcasts for drivers about opportunities at Averitt • live chat with a recruiter • check out Averitt in social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube • frequently asked questions about our recruiting process T m
SHOWING THE POWER OF ONE MORE
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! Associates Referring People Like You, Earning Referral Rewards
Knoxville shuttle driver ROBERT AYTES
Dallas dock associate ROMAN FRESHOUR
Dallas city driver PAUL SANDERS
Tyler dock associate MICHAEL VEGA
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5
50 YEARS
FUTURE
PROUD OF OUR FIRST
MORE EXCITED ABOUT OUR
In 1958, the company was founded as Livingston Merchant’s Co-Op, a small trucking company that hauled dry goods between the small Tennessee town of Livingston and Nashville. By 1969, the name was changed to Averitt Express. A FATEFUL MEET I NG It was during one of Thurman’s deliveries to a Nashville dock facility when he met Gary, whose main jobs at the time consisted of sweeping the dock and pulling weeds around the yard. Gary struck up a friendship with Thurman while helping unload his trailers. One day, Gary asked if Thurman would be interested in selling his company. After some thought, Thurman agreed. And the Averitt Express we know today was born. “I was just a 21-year-old kid who was going to night school, but I knew that I wanted to be in the transportation industry,” says Gary, who also took logistics training while serving in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. “I was surprised when Mr. Averitt agreed to sell, and it didn’t take long to face my first challenge: how to make payroll. We actually sold the trucks and leased them back just so we could have some operating capital to give everyone a paycheck. We learned a lot in those early days.” The Averitt Story October 1 marked our team’s official 50th anniversary. That’s the day 21-year-old GARY SASSER purchased Averitt Express from Thurman Averitt in 1971. And what started with two associates, three trucks and five trailers has blossomed into a leading logistics and transportation provider with thousands of associates and customers across the globe. Celebrating a 50-year milestone
One of those lessons had to do with the cost of doing business. Gary is often asked why the name was never changed from Averitt Express. The simple answer is that at the time, it was too expensive to change the name of the company. By the time he could afford it, Gary said the Averitt brand was well- established, so there was no reason to make the change. Gary also jumped in to keep freight moving. From making pickups and deliveries to cutting freight bills on a mechanical typewriter, he did whatever it took to deliver on the team’s promise to provide outstanding service. Those experiences also confirmed to Gary what he already knew: finding good people was the key to success. “We surrounded ourselves with good people, people who shared our vision for service and quality. The industry had a reputation for not being service- minded. We wanted to change that,” Gary says. “We sat down as a group and figured out what we could do best, where we wanted to go and how to get there. From early on, we knew we weren’t in the trucking business; we were in the service business. Trucks were just the tool, like computers, telephones and forklifts.” THE WI NNER ’ S CI RCLE The two most important things Gary committed to on early on and our team continues to focus on are people and service. It’s people who deliver the freight, not trucks. And when our people provide outstanding service, customers trust us with more and more of their business, allowing us to grow. That’s what secures our future. These three elements – Our Customers, Our Associates, Our Future – were chosen as elements of our Winner’s Circle. For us to take care of our associates, our customers and our future, we have to have balance and make wise investments. “There is a cost associated with keeping our trucks clean, with our professional image, and with the time we put into hiring and coaching the right
GARY with some of the associates who started when Averitt was still based in Livingston. From left: JUANITA BROWN , CHRIS STAGGS, ANGIE HESTER , JOYCE MATTHEWS and SANDY FLEMING .
C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters
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PROF I T SHAR I NG Our plan is simple. The better we do together, the better we all do individually. Because we control our own destiny, there is no cap on the amount of Profit Sharing contributions. The sky truly is the limit. We’re proud to say that our Profit Sharing plan continues to gain strength, with record-setting numbers in 2021 that we expect to keep growing and growing. AVER I T T CHAR I T I ES Our associates have established an extraordinary tradition of giving to those in need. To honor our associates for their generosity, the company contributes to Averitt Charities in partnership with our associates. Whether it’s 96% of our associates contributing $1 per week to Averitt Cares for Kids, or teammates working together in service through the Team Up Community Challenge, giving back shows the heart of Averitt’s people. OUR DR I V I NG FORCE I S PEOPLE Hiring, coaching and retaining the right people is one of the most important things we do. Building relationships with associates is so important that Gary personally welcomes aboard every new hire. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, new associates were brought to Cookeville for orientation, and Gary met each one and shook their hands. While health and safety guidelines don’t allow for that today, he still calls each new associate to thank them for joining our team. THE BEST I S YET TO COME The way we look at it, 1971 to 2021 is just one of many more chapters to come. We’re proud of our past, but we’re even more excited about our future. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us. We can’t wait to see where you help take us next. T m
people,” says Gary. “But in doing all that, we see a much greater return in our investment.” I N A WORD : STAB I L I T Y Gary’s belief in 1971 still holds true 50 years later – that stability is vital and that the true measurement of stability is commitment to the future. There are many reasons other carriers have come and gone over the past 50 years. And we don’t turn our attention to what others have done or not done. Instead, we’re committed to creativity and innovation that’s been the catalyst to stability through five decades that have included national economic cycles, continual growth of competitive landscape, and a global pandemic. “Every decision we make is weighed against the future and our stability. Our commitment is to remain independent so we can create our own destiny,” says Gary. AVER I T T BEL I EFS After 50 years, our team’s beliefs remain the same: • Build on our unique culture of helping people succeed , including our customers and our associates • Share financial rewards with our associates through Profit Sharing • Give back to our communities through Averitt Charities , including Averitt Cares for Kids and the Team Up Community Challenge • Recruit the best of the best and promote from within, because Our Driving Force Is People HELP I NG PEOPLE SUCCEED From the very beginning, our team was more focused on building partnerships with our customers than to just simply pick up and deliver freight. Because we knew early on that to experience long-term success, our customers had to grow too.
GARY with 42-year Cookeville driver DAVID ADAMS
GARY alongside Nashville frontline leader DERRICK JONES
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50 YEARS
FUTURE
PROUD OF OUR FIRST
MORE EXCITED ABOUT OUR
Fort Myers Driver Shows How Professional Image Makes Us Stand Out OUR TEAMMATES AND TRUCKS ARE TURNING HEADS Gary Hartman was working at Siena Lakes Senior Living Community in Naples, FL when JOE FENNELL of our Fort Myers team arrived to deliver his shipment, along with a great impression of Averitt. What stood out to Gary the most was Joe’s professional and friendly attitude, as well as his immaculate tractor and trailer. “We really enjoy seeing ‘Big Joe’ – he’s such a nice guy,” said Gary. “And as always, his equipment was excellent!” Gary noted that “excellent equipment” is one thing that comes to mind when he thinks of Averitt. It’s a noticeable difference between us and some of the other carriers that visit his location. The importance of Averitt’s commitment to professional image goes beyond wearing a uniform and keeping our equipment clean. It’s all about communicating our team’s values at a glance, and one of our customers recently shared howmuch that stood out to him. WHO WON A WEEK OF PAID TIME OFF? 10 Winners Of PTO In Our COVID-19 Vaccination Drawing
Fort Myers associate JOE FENNELL takes pride in looking his professional best, from his uniform to his clean tractor.
“If the transportation industry gave an award for which company has the best-looking equipment, Averitt would win,” says Gary. “It is always clean, and that shows customers that your company cares.” Joe shares Gary’s point of view when it comes to our equipment and how it serves as an example of our team’s commitment to excellence and professionalism. And Joe feels strongly about the way he represents Averitt and himself. “Staying focused on representing myself and Averitt with excellence is at the forefront of my mind each day,” says Joe. “While my truck is a direct reflection of Averitt, it’s also a reflection of me.” Joe is proud to be part of a team with a sterling reputation, and he hopes to encourage fellow teammates to take pride in Averitt by keeping our equipment looking top-notch. “I think of our equipment as a tool that allows me to project a professional image of our team and forward the Averitt culture on the road. As drivers, we drive a rolling billboard for Averitt, and I’m grateful to represent our team’s values.” Joe, thank you for showing your Averitt pride and ownership each day. Your actions demonstrate The Power of One and inspire us to look our best! T m
The COVID-19 vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent illness and hospitalization, and we recently offered an extra incentive to protect yourself and others – a drawing for a week of paid time off!
PTO WI NNERS :
• Rachel Mellema, Corporate • David Miller, Supply Chain Solutions • Stephanie Murrell, Knoxville
• Bobby Beard, Dallas • David Fore, ZF Carolina • Thomas Garland, PODS OTR • Robert Guillot, New Orleans • Nick Ledbetter, Corporate
• John Salter, Memphis • Joel Turner, Columbia
S A F E T Y AWA R D S AUGUST
20 YEARS Michael Gordon James Hicks Herbert Lane 15 YEARS Jess Boykin Anderson Broady Cleveland Brown Jason Chandler Scott Eldridge Ronald Gantner
David Lollis Harley Putnam Larry Shafer Darren Thomas Daniel Williams
Opelika Greensboro Fort Smith Jacksonville
OV E R 2 0 T E AM We’re proud to add members to our Over 20 Team! The following associates joined our team in October 2001: Luis Acosta El Paso Randall Newbury Little Rock Sue Tabat Milwaukee For a list of October milestone service awards, including the newest members of our Over 20 Team, visit InsideAveritt.com .
Birmingham Atlanta East Jacksonville
For a complete list of Safety Award winners, including five- and 10-year recipients, visit InsideAveritt.com. 30 YEARS DavidBennett JacksonTN AllenClark Montgomery 25 YEARS Dale Frazier Chattanooga
DRiV
Mt. Juliet Raleigh Jackson MS Gadsden Orlando Knoxville
C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters
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‘NO RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR GROWTH POTENTIAL’
New Atlanta East Service Center Director Began As City Driver
We frequently talk about how career-growth opportunities abound at Averitt Express, and GARY TAYLOR is a perfect example of that commitment.
Current Asheville and soon-to-be Atlanta East service center director GARY TAYLOR began his Averitt career as a city driver.
Gary – who is currently our Asheville service center director – was recently named as the next service center director for our Atlanta East facility. He will fill the shoes of longtime service center director PAUL KING , who is retiring at the end of this year. Gary began his Averitt career in 1995 as a city driver, and since that time he’s also served as a frontline leader, P&D leader, operations manager and service center director. “At Averitt Express, there are no restrictions on your growth potential,” Gary says. “To this day, I look back to the statement that was shared with me in my initial interview back in 1995. I was told, ‘Once you join our team, the opportunities are endless. You can serve in any role in the company.’ I took that to heart, and I’ve always thrived on that.” Gary attributes his career growth to our culture, as well as solid guidance along the way. “I’ve been very fortunate to have been surrounded with some great mentors,” he explains. “That speaks volumes about the people we have here, because I’ve had many great mentors.” Region 9 vice president TONY ALLISON is excited to bring Gary on board at Atlanta East.
“His experience with both operations and sales has prepared him for this opportunity to lead one of the largest service centers in the company,” Tony says. “And beyond his experience, Gary is a people person. He will build on a very solid foundation that we have at Atlanta East and help us bring continued success there for many years to come.” Gary says one of the main reasons we’ve had success for 50 years is our commitment to helping people grow. “Averitt is the only company that I’ve ever worked for that thrives on growing people,” he says. “As a leader, there’s nothing more satisfying than preparing an associate for their professional growth. That’s how we strengthen our company and prepare for the future, by growing people. To me, the greatest part of our culture is our people.” LOOK I NG TO GROW I N YOUR CAREER? If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, call our Job Hotline at 800-991-1971 , talk to your leadership or visit InsideAveritt.com/Jobs to find out about local driving, leadership and other opportunities that are available. T m
MOTORING ALONG TO 50 YEARS AND BEYOND Customer Service Propels Our Team For Years To Come
For 50 years, our customers have been choosing Averitt because of our focus on customer service. Our commitment to excellence is what sets us apart in our industry and ensures our success for tomorrow. It’s also the number one reason why Jim Ussery, owner of Electric Motors of Palm Beach, has been a faithful Averitt customer for 10 years and counting.
“We have been doing business with Electric Motors since I have been with Averitt, which is going on 16 years,” says West Palm Beach service center director DENISE BUBAN . “Our transportation specialist JOHN SIRAGUSA also has a long-lasting relationship with Electric Motors. They are great to work with, they seem to really like our drivers and the excellent service we provide them, and we’re thankful for the strong partnership we have.” Electric Motors of Palm Beach distributes and repairs submersible
electric motor pumps, a mainstay for the West Palm Beach area. Jim has been in business for a long time, and he’s dealt with many carriers over the years. But to Jim, there’s something special about Averitt. “What makes Averitt stand out from other transportation companies is your customer service and your people, especially our sales rep John Siragusa,” says Jim. “John is someone who listens, someone who will always get back in touch when we have a question, and he always takes the time to thank me for my business whenever he sees that
Averitt has picked up our freight.” Our relationship with Electric Motors of Palm Beach has picked up speed since Jim became our customer. Today, Averitt handles all of the company’s outbound LTL shipments, as well as inbound freight whenever Jim gets to choose the carrier. Jim credits our team’s longevity to our focus on customer service, saying that’s why he’s a proud Averitt customer. “I can tell you that if your company has been taking care of your other customers like you have been taking care of us, then 50 years of success
is just the beginning,” says Jim. “Keep doing what you’re doing!” Our Customers, Our Associates, and Our Future – this is the tried-and-true recipe for our team’s success over five decades. A big thanks to John Siragusa and the West Palm Beach crew for their support for Jim and Electric Motors of Palm Beach. Is that kind of outstanding service that defines our whole team, and our customers say that’s what will pave the way to Averitt’s next 50 years and into the future. T m
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50 YEARS
FUTURE
PROUD OF OUR FIRST
MORE EXCITED ABOUT OUR
RED THINKIN’ REWARDS COME IN HANDY
SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS ASSOCIATE CASHES IN ON PRESSURE WASHER
One great way that teammates are using their Red Thinkin’ Rewards points is for home improvement projects. RONALD THAXTON with our American Water Heater supply chain team knows all about that. Ronald maintains an excellent job performance and safety record. Because of that, he’s earning Red Thinkin’ Rewards that help him keep an excellent home. As someone who can appreciate a good do-it-yourself project, Ronald used some of his points to redeem a pressure washer to use for his home, landscaping and vehicles. “It’s a blessing that our team offers Red Thinkin’ Rewards, and I’ve earned my points through driving safely and performing well for my job,” says Red Thinkin’ Rewards is our team’s performance- based recognition program that lets associates earn points and redeem rewards for meeting key performance goals that help us succeed each day.
Ronald. “I have occasionally borrowed a neighbor’s pressure washer to use around the house, but I’m so glad my points afforded me the opportunity to get my own.” Congrats to Ronald, and thanks for all you do to help our team succeed! When you do your best each day in service, safety, meeting key performance goals, and referring new teammates to Averitt, your efforts go a long way to secure a bright future for our team – and you’re earning Red Thinkin’ Rewards along the way! What are you doing with your Red Thinkin’ Reward points? Log on to the program site via InsideAveritt.com/Rewards to check your balance and browse the rewards catalog. You can also see how you earn rewards in your important role with our team. T m American Water Heater associate RONALD THAXTON used his Red Thinkin’ Rewards points to purchase a pressure washer, one of the many big-ticket items available through this program.
SUMMER FULL OF WINNERS
100,000 POINTS WINNER
We recently wrapped up our Red Thinkin’ Rewards summer login challenge, and it featured several winners of great prizes! Red Thinkin’ Rewards Login Contest
Winchester operations admin associate KIM DIDAWICK won our June prize of a Cuisinart air fryer and blender prize pack, Boise Cascade driver JAMIE
GAITHER won our July drawing for a Yeti Flip, and Charleston city driver KENNETH LEGARE won our August prize of an ALTEC LANSING Sonic Boom Bluetooth speaker. Additionally, Tri-Cities Truckload driver DANA CLARK had his name drawn as the winner of our grand prize Apple iPad! For more information about our Red Thinkin’ Rewards program, log on to InsideAveritt.com/Rewards . T m
Fayetteville NC Truckload driver EUGENE WILSON recently won one of our drawings for 100,000 Red Thinkin’ Rewards points! Eugene’s name was entered into the drawing after he was recognized for earning a clean DOT inspection!! T m
C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters
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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.
Vice president of sales ROGERS LUNA (center, 35 years) with president Wayne Spain (left) and executive vice president of sales and marketing Phil Pierce (right)
Tupelo associate DAVID KENT (30 years)
Charlotte associate JERRY MAYES (25 years)
Orlando associate CHRIS PATRICK (left, 25 years) with service center director Robert Bruns (right)
25 YEARS OF SAFE DRIVING
Tampa shuttle driver DOUG LANE (near right) and Birmingham shuttle driver JEFF PARKER (far right) were recently honored for 25 years of safe driving! Congratulations on an outstanding
THE POWER OF ONE accomplishment, and thank you for showing Our Driving Concern Is Safety!
THAT’S THE POWER OF ONE
When we go above and beyond to provide excellent service, that demonstrates The Power of One to our teammates, our customers and our industry. These associates went the extra mile to represent our team with pride, and our customers said it showed!
ERICK ALARCON – Fort Myers “This driver was terrific! What a good guy! Erick arrived early and was such a pleasure to do business with. He is the type of guy you want to have all the time! The next time we have more freight to ship, I know exactly who we’re calling!” Allan – Naples, FL BRILEY KING - National Call Center “I have been in some form of customer service for over 30 years, and I wanted to recognize Briley for the outstanding service that he provides on a daily basis. It is unusual to have such consistent top-of-the line customer service, and we feel very fortunate to have him as our point person to help with our shipping needs!” Kirk, Hunt Brothers Pizza – Nashville, TN
TREY METZGER – Tifton “Trey did a fabulous job for us! He’s a great people person with a wonderful personality. He is an amazing associate, and I don’t see that every day with other trucking companies. Trey took charge, took great care of us, and we just want to applaud him for the excellent service.” Lynn, AM Self Storage – Valdosta, GA IOAN OZARCHEVICI – Lexington “This driver is awesome! We are so happy with the service we received. It’s not easy to pull into our loading area, but he did it perfectly and his customer service was outstanding. We are all impressed by his skills and service!” Dylan, Jessamine County Fiscal Court – Nicholasville, KY
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50 YEARS
FUTURE
PROUD OF OUR FIRST
MORE EXCITED ABOUT OUR
GIVING BACK IS WHO WE ARE
Why The Team Up Community Challenge Became Averitt Tradition “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others,” said Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As we celebrate Averitt’s 50th anniversary this month, those words have never meant more for our team than they do today. Since 1971, our team has been known for teamwork, service and helping people succeed. To celebrate those values, in October 2011 we launched the 40 for 40 Community Challenge . in honor of our 40th birthday. We challenged every location to accumulate 40 hours of community service in the last three months of the year. It became an annual tradition. Since then, our associates have teamed up to donate thousands of hours of service to hundreds of organizations. For every hour donated since 2016, the company has made a donation to Averitt Cares for Kids , our associate -driven charity dedicated to supporting special organizations like St. Jude Children’s Hospital. And in preparation to celebrate our 50th anniversary, the name of the program changed in 2019 to the Team Up Community Challenge . It became a year-round event.
“There’s nothing more important than people,” says GARY SASSER . “Whether we’re providing excellent service to our customers and teammates, helping our neighbors, or supporting the patients and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through Averitt Cares for Kids – giving back is who we are, and serving others is the heart of why we give our best in all we do. That’s why giving back will always be a cornerstone of Averitt’s culture.” The Team Up Community Challenge expresses our decades-long history of giving beyond ourselves and our plan to partner with associates to grow contributions to Averitt Cares for Kids and serve local community organizations. For 50 years, Averitt teammates have set an extraordinary tradition of giving to those in need. Together, we will continue to innovate and grow our match to the team’s community service program and make a powerful impact in the many years to come. SHARE HOW YOU TE AM UP Your accomplishments through Team Up inspire us all to give back, and every act of community service results in a matching contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids! All year long, please continue to send your Team Up Our Dallas team worked together and donated 150 cases of water bottles to the Grand Prairie Police Department. Pictured are DAVE MILLEA , KEVIN STAFFORD , CHARITY BAILY and DAVID VANMETER . Thank you for representing Averitt with pride and supporting your community through Team Up!
Community Challenge project updates and photos to KILEY BALDWIN in Marketing and Communications, and we’ll share your success stories with the team! T m
Fatigue can happen at any time.
Understand the signs and act accordingly.
Watch our video at InsideAveritt.com/fatigue
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