COMMUNITY CHALLENGE matters INFORMING OUR ASSOCIATES ABOUT ALL THINGS AVERITT • SEPTEMBER 2022
AROUND THE CORNER: DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK AN IMPORTANT TRADITION P2 REFERRAL SUCCESS: ROANOKE TEAM HELPING US GROW P3 TURNING UP THE VOLUME: AUDIOFORMZ, AVERITT A PERFECT FIT P6
Marketing and Communications leader ALICE CRABTREE (right) shares a laugh with Atlanta West operations manager DWAYNE GRIBBLE (left) during the recent Averitt Family Softball Tournament in Nashville. See a full recap and team photos on P4-5 FAMILY CULTURE
CELEBRATING THE BEST TEAM Driver Appreciation Week is a special time for me, because it’s another opportunity to say thank you. Your efforts are the reason we’re
experiencing another record year. I’m proud to be part of a team that is focused on outstanding service, safety, and innovative and creative solutions. We like to talk about teamwork and our unique culture, and what
we do truly is a team effort. Regardless of your role, you are an important part of our success. The milestones we’ve achieved this year are more proof that our plan works. When we deliver excellence P2
TEAM NOTES From Gary Sasser
Giveaways, Grab-And-Go Events, Freightliner Assignments And More Driver Appreciation Week is scheduled for Sept. Sept. 11-17, and it’s an important tradition for our team as we celebrate how thankful we are for our driving force. CELEBRATING DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK As has been our tradition for several years, we’ll have daily giveaways beginning Monday, Sept. 12 for prizes ranging from gift cards and Red Thinkin’ Rewards points to Amazon Fire TV sticks, a Samsung smart TV, Apple AirPods and much more. We’ll also have grab-and-go events throughout our network, and individual facilities will host their own celebrations. To top it off, five Truckload drivers will win our grand prize of an assignment for a brand-new Freightliner ! We encourage you to check out our Driver Appreciation Week page at InsideAveritt.com/DAW2022 throughout the week to see if you’re a winner! Thank you again for all you mean to our team, and we look forward to celebrating with you! T m
Raleigh’s TROYSHAWN DOWNEY (left) catches a set of keys from Truckload operations manager BRIAN DUDNEY (right) during last year’s Driver Appreciation Week festivities. Several Truckload drivers will once again have the opportunity to win a new truck assignment as part of this year’s festivities.
UPCOMING GRAB-AND-GO EVENT SCHEDULE
September 12 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 16
Memphis
2p-8p
October 20 November 8
Lexington Knoxville
7:30a-11a 7:30a-11a 7:30a-11a
Jackson TN Nashville Knoxville Mercedes Cincinnati Cincinnati
7:30a-11a
11a-5p 11a-5p 2p-7p
November 9 Chattanooga
November 10
Nashville
2p-8p
October 18 October 19
7:30a-11a
2p-8p
FROM GARY SASSER PG. 1 to our customers, when we do everything with professionalism, and when we take care of our associates, we’re rewarded with more opportunities to meet our customers’ needs. And as you’re proving this year,
the sky is the limit for what we can accomplish together. Driver Appreciation Week is just one of the many ways we say thank you to our associates. As you know, our performance has allowed us to deliver unprecedented Profit Sharing
contributions this year, which helps us all secure our future together. We’re also focusing on our future by investing in facility enhancements throughout our network to give our associates the best possible quality of life. All these amenities come back to you
and your efforts. So I want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you for being the best team in the industry – during Driver Appreciation Week and throughout the year!
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OUTSTANDING REFERRAL SUCCESS RATE
Vast Majority Of Roanoke’s New Hires In 2022 Are People Like You Referrals Referrals are an important part of our success now and for the future. And our Roanoke team is doing an outstanding job of referring People People Like You. A whopping 75% of Roanoke’s LTL hires so far in 2022 have come from People Like You referrals. Service center director JEREMY HALL believes some of that success can be attributed to a simple philosophy. “We treat people the way we want to be treated,” he says. “We give associates the tools and resources they need to do their jobs, and we empower them to go do it.” Jeremy says he tries to keep People Like You referrals top of mind for his team. “We have a grease board in the drivers’ room, and we’ll put up any
Roanoke CDL-qualified dock associate DAVID VINEYARD (left) and city driver CHRIS WRIGHT (right) have recently earned referral rewards for helping us find People Like You.
openings that we have on the board so it’s big and bold,” he says. “We want that to stay on their minds every day. And we use the flyers that our marketing team sends to us each month.” Jeremy adds that when his associates refer People Like You, it helps keep our culture strong. “We talk about two little bullet points,” Jeremy says. “One, ‘we hire to retire.’ And two, ‘we want to refer someone who we want to work with for the next 20 years.’ We’re not trying to fill in a quick business-spike void. We want someone who is going to be a part of the team and is going to stay here.” Thank you to our Roanoke team for doing an outstanding job of referring People Like You! Your efforts are helping us secure our future and pass on our unique culture for generations to come! To learn more about our People Like You referral program, including information about referral rewards and referral tools, visit InsideAveritt.com/PeopleLikeYou . T m
LOTS OF WAYS TO REFER PEOPLE LIKE YOU
Use “Refer An Associate” tool on "Averitt Team" mobile app
Use referral tool on LTL tablets
Fill out online form at InsideAveritt.com/Refer
Text “referral” to 888-AVERITT (888-283-7488)
Share “More Than Cents Per Mile” and “Ready for Better?” resources
Hand out Referral cards
Find more information at InsideAveritt.com/PeopleLikeYou InsideAveritt.com/PeopleLikeYou
20 YEARS Randall Corum Jeffrey Ford Bobby Foste Gary Gilbert Welford Hart Kenneth Traylor 15 YEARS Alfred Boles Renfroe Caver Arnold Hicks Zachery Laverett Ernest Martin Randall Newbury
Daniel Noble Rayvond Rice
Kasai North America
OVER 20 TEAM We’re proud to add members to our Over 20 Team! The following associates joined our team in September 2002: Howard Butcher Memphis Fernando Garcia Dallas Antonio Garfias Dallas Cody Gulley Dallas William Kirkley Memphis Bobby Martin Decatur Gerardo Palacios Laredo For a list of September milestone service awards, including the newest members of our Over 20 Team, visit InsideAveritt.com .
SAFETY AWARDS SEPTEMBER
Dallas
Nissan Knoxville Decatur
For a complete list of Safety Award winners, including five- and 10-year recipients, visit InsideAveritt.com. 35 YEARS Carl Howell Louisville
Jacksonville Richmond Mayfield
Tampa Dallas Houston
30 YEARS Danny Woodall 25 YEARS Steve Good Stephen Heltzel
Decatur
Atlanta East Atlanta East Little Rock
Tri-Cities Tampa
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RETURNING TO THE DIAMOND
18 TEAMS PARTICIPATE IN SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
For more photos and video, visit InsideAveri InsideAveri
An impressive field of 18 teams took to the diamond, and close to 800 associates, family members and effects of COVID-19. And this year’s event was worth the wait! The Averitt Family Softball Tournament recently returned to Nashville after a two- year absence while we navigated the
friends cheered them on as they were treated to fantastic weather, food, games and highlight-reel action on the field. In the men’s division, the Cracker Barrel 2 team came out on top in a field of 10 teams, topping Atlanta West in the championship game. In the co-ed division, Nashville was the victor over OTL Orange in a field of eight teams. CALEB GOFF of the Nashville co- ed team won the home-run contest, tallying three for the day. In addition to furthering our family-oriented culture, the Averitt
MEN'S TEAMS
1 st
2 nd
3 rd
CRACKER BARREL 2
CORPORATE
ATLANTA WEST
CRACKER BARREL 1
LOUISVILLE
BIRMINGHAM
REGION 3
REGION 5
NASHVILLE
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itt.com/2022Softball
Family Softball Tournament was a great opportunity to support others in need. That’s because in honor of everyone who participated, volunteered or attended, the company is making a donation to Averitt Cares for Kids! Special thanks to Amos Rogan of our operations leadership and to all the volunteers who made this special day possible! We’re thankful to be able to celebrate the return of the Averitt Family Softball Tournament, and we look forward to making it an even bigger event in the future! T m
CO-ED TEAMS
1 st
2 nd
3 rd
NASHVILLE
TRUCKLOAD
OTL ORANGE
CHATTANOOGA
OTL RED
OTL GRAY
OTL BLUE
OS&D
TEXAS
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TURNING UP THE VOLUME
Learn more about our partnership with AudioFormz at InsideAveritt.com/AudioFormz.
Audioformz And Averitt A Perfect Match
Along with delivering to customers from one end of the continent to the other, AudioFormz also counts on our team to import its international freight from China. Our partnership with AudioFormz is a true Power Of One Power Of One story, but it all started because of our award-winning customer service. “We identified some of the challenges that AudioFormz was having with their customers on service times, transit times and claims,” says transportation specialist DEBRA LEGATE. “We were able to provide better service and better on-time to their customers with less claims.” Because AudioFormz’s products are bulky but lightweight, they must build custom pallets for shipping. Owner Ronnie Cherry says they always had issues in the past with other carriers and damages, but he says things are much different now. “Averitt is just a world-class operation,” says Ronnie. “We rarely have damages at all with Averitt, and they cover all the regions of the country. That helps us as well, because we have dealers from California to Florida. So just talking and working with Averitt, explaining our needs and them addressing them, is awesome.” AudioFormz, which is served by our Tyler team, manufactures power sport audio equipment for utility vehicles, side-by-sides and golf carts, and it relies on Averitt every step of the way for its shipping needs.
Once Ronnie had his domestic freight needs met, Debra mentioned to him that our team may also be able to help with his international needs. “When we initially started conversation with AudioFormz and Ronnie, his greatest pain points were having a consistent contact and a consistent transportation provider,” says Director of International Solutions CINDY BUMBALOUGH . AudioFormz has multiple suppliers in China. When dealing with individual suppliers, goods ship individually, too, and that can cost a lot of money. But through our International team’s ability to coordinate one large shipment, Ronnie is spending less time and cash on his foreign imports. “Now I have someone I can talk to about consolidating all these goods into one container and getting them over here,” Ronnie says. “That saves the company a lot of money. I would never have had that just by dealing with my individual suppliers over there.” Ronnie adds that it makes his life a lot easier knowing he has one company that can handle both his international and domestic freight. “Partnering with them, being shoulder to shoulder with them and being dedicated to their success with them – there's no greater feeling,” Cindy says. By providing exceptional customer service from the start, we were able to grow our relationship with AudioFormz to what it is today. Your commitment to excellence is what makes success stories like this possible! T m
2023 BENEFITS ENROLLMENT PERIOD SET FOR OCT. 3-21 Begin Planning For Your Insurance Needs For Upcoming Year
With October just around the corner, that means it’s almost time for benefits enrollment for 2023. This year’s enrollment period is Oct. 3-21. As an Averitt associate, you have access to some of the best health care benefits available. To take full advantage of these benefits, you must enroll during this period. Even if you do not plan to make any changes to your benefits plans, participating in annual enrollment ensures you get the lowest rate for your plan by applying all possible credits. If you choose to participate in the Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you must re-enroll every year. You will use MyPortal and follow prompts to enroll.
You will be asked to review your tobacco use status, review your current benefits (if applicable) and then select your medical, dental, vision, HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA benefits for 2023. If you're a first-time user of MyPortal, or have been locked out or forgotten your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link on the MyPortal login page. For other MyPortal questions, contact the MyPortal Help Team at MyPortalHelp@averittexpress.com or at 844-805-6189. Associates may also enroll by phone by calling 866-606-9553. A Colonial Life benefits counselor will assist you. The 2023 Chooser Guide is now available at InsideAveritt.com/ChooseWell and is your road map to picking the plans that are best for you and
your family. For more information, call 800-233-9944 and select option three, or email annualenrollment@averitt.com . T m
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SERVICE AWARDS
These are just some of the associates who are celebrating 25 or more years with our team! To view all new Over 20 Team members and five-year milestones, visit InsideAveritt.com.
Savannah associate KARL BISSETT (right, 30 years) with service center director Kevin Flenniken (left)
Dallas associate DOUG MEEKS (25 years)
Bowling green associate GREG NELSON (left, 25 years) with frontline leader Chance Poole (right)
Houston associate RICHARD WALTON (left, 25 years) with service center director Scott Harris (right)
Region 6 recently wrapped up one of its most successful Team Up Community Challenge events ever with its “Help the Hungry” food drive. REGION 6 HOSTS SUCCESSFUL FOOD DRIVE ‘Help The Hungry’ Garners More Than 2,000 Team Up Hours
“We say ‘Our Driving Force Is People,’ and I believe this food drive is a great example of that and the Averitt culture,” Rackley says. “When associates clock in, we want them to feel good about where they are and what they’re doing. I think we play an important role in our communities, and when you can contribute with a Team Up Challenge, it makes you feel good and gives you pride in your work.” Thank you to Region 6 for participating in the “Help the Hungry” food drive, and congratulations on a remarkable Team Up Community Challenge! Your efforts truly speak for the giving culture we are so proud to have at Averitt! The Team Up Community Challenge is a year-round event, so it’s never too early to start giving back for 2023. Please email your project photos and updates to TeamUp@averitt.com . Your accomplishments through Team Up inspire us all to participate, and every act of community service results in a matching contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids! T m
service centers collected pajamas to be donated to St. Jude. The “PJs for PJ” drive saw more than 2,000 pajama sets sent to hospitals in honor of PJ Trojanowski, a 10-year-old cancer survivor from the Waco area. “I think there are still pajamas being given away at the hospitals, so we began thinking of other ways to give back to our community,” Rackley said. “We did some research and found out food banks all over Texas were needing supplies due to food being in high demand because of the pandemic.” The food banks also saw their shelves going bare because of the summer holiday. With schools being out, many underprivileged children no longer had access to school lunches, so they relied heavily on community pantries for food in June and July. Among the many donation sites, service centers delivered food to the United Way of Houston, Estacado Grade School in Lubbock, Orange Christian Services, Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, the East Texas Food Bank in Tyler, and the Shepherd’s Heart in Waco.
Our Texas service centers collected canned goods and dry foods with long shelf lives during May, June and July with the goal of having each associate donate six food items. For every six food items, associates received half of a Team Up hour. If every associate earned 30 minutes, that would work out to 497 total hours. But when the final tally was announced, Region 6 far surpassed its original goal and finished with more than 2,000 hours! “I knew we would hit our goal, but to end with 2,036 hours is just outstanding,” says CALVIN RACKLEY of our Region 6 leadership. “Along with most associates donating more than six items each, we also had many who donated money to help purchase food.” Rackley and LARRY VANNATTA , with our Texas sales leadership, first saw the opportunity for a regionwide Team Up in 2020. For the past two years, our Texas
AMARILLO
LUBBOCK
TYLER
HOUSTON
LAREDO
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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
HARVEY BROOKS – Savannah “Harvey is the best driver I have ever dealt with from any company. He represents Averitt in the best way possible.” Wayne, Terrell Brothers Inc. – Glennville, GA
CALEB MCDOWELL – Petco “Caleb is a great driver! He is always extremely cooperative and professional.” Petco – Millington, TN DEIDRE JUSTICE – Corporate “Deidre is great and epitomizes the definition of customer service! This was a very important shipment, and she traced it every day until it was delivered.” Jerry, Standard Distributors – West Columbia, SC
LLOYD GREMILLION – Baton Rouge “I wanted to take a minute and let you know how great your driver, Lloyd, is. Each time he has delivered to us he has been kind, professional and helpful.” Krista, Nolan Kimble Interiors – Baton Rouge, LA
Accident investigation starts with you.
Report any event to Risk Management: 800-233-9944
Learn more at InsideAveritt.com/reporting
Sheila Reecer
Risk Management Leader CORPORATE
Barbara Ross
Jackson MS
NEW LEADERS
RETIREES Thank you for your service to our team! John Campbell Cookeville David Goodman Jackson TN Logan Johnson Nashville Jeffrey Quigley Costco Florida
Bobby Thompson
Roanoke
Bryan Stephens
Frontline Leader COSTCO Frontline Leader NASHVILLE
Gary Ware
Eastern North Carolina
Steven Bueno
Frontline Leader SAN ANTONIO Operations Leader BIRMINGHAM Frontline Leader DALLAS
Gary Wood
Bobby Horne
Jesus Medina
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