Visitors to Southern States Cloverdale VA

 

This week, the Southern States Account in Cloverdale VA were fortunate to have leadership from Richmond VA stop by the account.  Holly Pearce and Warren Miller were in for two days were they participated in a driver cookout as well as did RATLAs with our drivers.  The purpose of the visit was relational, allowing Holly and Warren to not only get out and visit some customers, but also spend time with our managers and drivers to get feedback on how to make the business better.  It was great having them at the account!

 



Engagement Survey Focus Groups

This week and next, Region Leadership will be conducting focus groups to gain direct feedback from the region on what JB Hunt can do to improve engagement.  As a region, we highlighted three main areas that we need to work to improve; on-boarding/training, work-life balance, and employee recognition.  The purpose of the focus groups is to get ideas directly from our field operators on how to improve in these areas.  Below, the Kimble Region met in Indianapolis this week to talk through ideas on these subjects.  We look forward to all of the feedback!

 

Central Region Driver of the Month for May - Tony King

Congratulations to Tony King for being selected Driver of the Month for the Central Region for May!  Based out of Winchester, KY, Tony is a Regional Driver on our Cargill Bagged Feed Account.  While Tony has only been with the company just over 1.3 years, his impact has been felt all over the Brand Region.  In addition to being a trainer at his home account, recently Tony has been called upon to assist at the Kroger Startup in Louisville.  This has required Tony to not only familiarize himself with a different customer, but a different schedule including nights and weekends.  We appreciate all Tony has done and congratulations on being May Driver of the Month!

 

 

Below is the write-up from the Cargill Team:

 

Tony has worked for JB Hunt for several years and has always been a safe, reliable driver behind the wheel. Tony is one of our “go to” guys for the Winchester bag account. During the entire month of May, Tony was selected to assist with the Kroger start-up in Louisville. Not only has Tony delivered freight for Kroger, but he also played a role in helping to train the new drivers being onboarded to the account. He’s also worked shifts that don’t fit his normal schedule- working nights instead of days and even during the weekend. Even though he has been completely out of his normal schedule, he hasn’t complained once. This credits to Tony’s excellent attitude and willingness to do whatever is needed to help the team.

Picnic at PrimeSource

This past weekend, team PrimeSource in Rochester NY, held a picnic for our drivers and their families!  After a small grease fire, PrimeSource owned grill, the weather cooperated and it was a great day!

Congratulations Kim Montague!

 

Congratulations to Kim Montague on achieving One Million Safe Miles!  Kim is a dedicated driver on our Niagara Sheets Account in North Tonawanda NY.  To celebrate this milestone, the management team took Kim and his family to dinner to celebrate.  Congratulations Kim!

Macy's Safety Initiative and DOT Blitz

 

While conducting a mock DOT blitz at Macy’s in North Jackson, OH…..Account Manager Susan Mateo gave us a behind the scenes look at her newest safety initiative.  Whomever said a ROM can’t have a baseball field named after him/her hasn’t seen this!  Drivers are going to be stepping up to the plate for safety at the inaugural opening day at STAMPFER FIELD in North Jackson, OH this Sunday.  The “season” will run 8 weeks as each driver has an opportunity to knock safety out of the ball park!  Until then, drivers had a chance to savor some home-made BBQ courtesy of Sue while getting their trucks inspected.  In attendance were AM Susan Mateo, AMM John Dodson, ARM Andrew Vincent, and ROM Adam Stampfer.  This gave the team the opportunity to get a good meal, gather good conversation, and ensure the equipment was up to spec.  All and all another successful Yard Day within the central region!

Cargill Valdosta GA Call to Action Roundtable

Valdosta rounded up both their bag and bulk fleets for a Call to Action focus on Safety and DLACT refresher with breakfast.

 

Valdosta Drivers are committed to driving like Champions by following the Smith System Keys each and every day.  With the main focus being on safety,  we discussed the Company’s most recent three negative safety trends and how to prevent the increase of intersection collisions, running traffic devices, same direction sideswipes, stale green lights and u-turns, as well as the June Monthly safety briefing which focused on the same.   Thank you Valdosta for your commitment to being safe!



Matt Reynolds Meets Charles Oakley!

This week, Cargill Park City Tub & Block Driver Matt Reynolds ran into Charles Oakley at a Pilot in Pennsylvania!  Oakley was the 9th overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavs.  Like most, Oakley had to leave Cleveland to see his career take off!  Oakley spent the majority of his career with the NY Knicks and was involved in some of the popular NBA battles with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  Thanks for taking the time to snap a pic Charles!

Getting to Know - Howard "Skip" Wile

This past week, Account Manager Rachael Knick did a RATLA with Howard "Skip" Wile.  Skip is a Regional Driver for the Kimball International Account in Jasper, IN.  While Skip is a seasoned driver, it was great to get out on the truck and spend some quality time getting to know him better.

 

 



 

Skip started with JB Hunt in 2015 at the MasterBrand account. He’s been a great driver & always has a fantastic attitude.  Skip said he loves the Kimball Account for his Operations Supervisor, Stephany. He said she makes him feel like family & that’s what’s important to him.  Skip enjoys writing in his free time. He recently completed a book based on the life of his father-in-law, Jack Hopwood.  It’s a book about Jack & history through the perception of a tree – titled “Sitting under the Cherry Tree.” He hopes to get it published by the end of this year.  He said he works hard to make money to support his wife Luann and her love of animals.  They currently have 3 chickens, Daisy, Peony, Petunia – Skip said that Daisy is his favorite because she’s the friendliest & helps him with his yard work.  They also have five dogs – Chewbacca, Padme, Copper, Chomper, and Molly. When asked what ‘Drive like a Champion’ means to him,  Skip said “By being a driver that’s part of the solution not the problem. If there’s something that can be improved, I don’t complain – I try to work with Stephany to find a solution.”  It was great spending the morning with Skip and we love having him on the account.  Thanks for being a great example of a Driver Champion, Skippy!