Safety blitz on U.S. 20 in Indiana is underway

Truckers driving on U.S. 20 in Porter, La Porte and Saint Joseph Counties in Indiana should be on high alert this week. Law enforcement agencies for all three counties will be conducting a safety blitz starting Monday, June 29, through Friday, July 3.

According to a release from the La Porte County Sheriff’s office, police will increase enforcement overseeing all travelers, but will focus on semi-truck traffic. Dubbed “Operation Truck Stop,” the safety blitz will also take place on state Route 2 from the junction of U.S. 20 near Rolling Prairie and east into Saint Joseph County.

Sheriff John Boyd launched Operation Truck Stop after his department received several complaints of traffic violations. Sheriff Boyd had also noticed more trucks along the stretch of highway.

La Porte County will be adding more officers to the road, including a detective in an unmarked car. Indiana State Police will also increase police presence, including more officers who specialize in commercial vehicle enforcement. Porter County, Saint Joseph County and Michigan City Police have also agreed to take part of the safety blitz.

Get to know Ken Treadway

RTLA (Tierra Isaac at CHEP Columbus)

Ken is from a lineage of coal miners and truck drivers from West Virginia, but grew up in Northern Columbus area.  He’s Father to two Sons and Grandfather to three Granddaughters.  He and his other half have two rescue dogs (Cody and Sophie) and one cat (Pryor).  Outside of driving, which he has been doing for 34 years, Ken enjoys landscaping, tinkering with cars and wood work.

Get to know Dave Cooney

RTLA (Andy Lickfeld at Niagara Sheets)

Dave was born and raised in North Tonawanda, NY. He currently lives right up the road from the Niagara Sheets plant. He has 3 children aged 9, 15, and 17. Dave served in the United States Army for 14 years. He was a driver and transported things from fuel and ammo to Humvees and tanks. He did five tours of duty, four in Iraq and one in Kosovo. On one tour he was driving a truck and was blown up by enemy forces. He suffered injuries to his face, including shrapnel in his eyes. He was able to recover fully, and continue his driving career. When Dave was Honorably discharged in 2010, he got off the road for awhile, going back to college and working in a rail yard. Missing the freedom of the road, he got back in the cab and worked at various different companies before joining JB Hunt. On his off-time Dave enjoys being outside and fishing. He is working on buying a nice boat with a Cuddy cabin to get out on the lake.

Congratulations Jason Butler!

 
Congratulations to Jason Butler on his well earned promotion to Account Manager for The Home Depot account at Monroe, OH.

Jason joined the J.B. Hunt family in June 2013 from UPS where he worked there for 8 years. During his time in Van Buren, he has served in multiple roles and has been an invaluable part of the team, making operational improvements each step of the way. He has made a lasting impact in his most recent role as Logistics Coordinator. As Logistics Coordinator, he has improved the load planning process with improved efficiencies and service. He has also strengthened our local relationship with Home Depot.

We expect nothing less in his new role as Account Manager at Monroe. With Jason's wealth of intimate Home Depot knowledge, work ethic and leadership he will play an integral part in taking the account to the next level.

Congratulations Jason!

Get to know Rob Hall

RTLA (Scott Tully at Home Depot Monroe)

Rob has been driving for 15 months and has been with JBH since March 2015. He is originally from Baton Rouge, LA and relocated to Indianapolis, IN at the beginning of this year with his family. He is a huge fan of being local so that he can be with his family a lot more since he drove OTR from the time that he first got his CDL. Rob states that he likes working at JBH and the Monroe account but would like to see better pay and more consistent hours per day. Rob and his wife are hoping to buy a home towards the beginning of next year. In fact, he said that he would have a hard time leaving JBH because he understands that home buying has a lot to do with tenure with the same company.

Promotion Announcement

Please help us congratulate Scott Dorsey on his promotion from Dedicated Manager In Training to Operations Supervisor - Chep Indianapolis, IN.

Scott is a recent graduate of Indiana University, Kelley School of Business where he graduated in May 2015.  He is married with no children, however, his Pit Bull he and his wife rescued from a dog fighting ring is like part of the family!  In his free time Scott also enjoys to fish.  He routinely fishes competitively for game-fish (bass) throughout Indiana and surrounding states.  Scott also has a shop where he can make his own lures for fun while saving a few bucks.

Congratulations Scott on the new role and the well deserved promotion!    

Appreciation the FD way!

Thank you FD Ashley team members for striving towards better safety and service results!  

Get to know Ray Ullrich

RTLA (Jerry White at CHEP Indy)

Ray has been driving a truck for 28 years and has been with JB Hunt for almost two years now.  Ray is one of the lead drivers on the account and is our driver trainer.  Ray has four kids ranging from 30 years old to 10 years old.  Ray resides with his girlfriend, Gloria, in Austin, IN.  Ray enjoys watching football, baseball, hockey and NASCAR.  Some of Ray’s favorite teams are the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks and the Indianapolis Colts.  Ray also likes to go hunting and fishing in his off time.  Ray states he is an urban redneck.

Get to know John Hess

RTLA (Adam Kleeh at PrimeSource) 

John will celebrate 6 years with J.B. Hunt this September.  He has spent the majority of his tenure with PrimeSource in Rochester after transferring in from Family Dollar - Rome, NY.  Since the start of our route, it was quite evident that John is process driven with a systematic mindset.  He truly works by the minute, and is always preparing for the next step whether it’s lane changing or prepping for delivery.  At the same time, safety for John and those around him always takes priority.  I saw this first hand as he understands exactly how and where to park at certain customer locations to allow for safe passage of future deliveries while waiting to be offloaded.  John really opened my eyes when it comes to curtainside delivery, and all the moving parts or challenges he’s faced with daily.  John will be getting married to his fiancée in August.  He is an avid Bills fan and loves to spend time camping at Darien Lake or Hamlin Beach State Park.  John is a great teacher of his trade, and an asset to J.B. Hunt and PrimeSource.     

Congratulations to the Denison Family!

Please join me in congratulating Brandon and his family as they welcome Elizabeth Faith Denison, born yesterday at 7:18am. Elizabeth weighed in at 7lbs 4oz and 20” long. Mother and baby are doing well, pictured above with Big Brother Timothy. Congratulations Denison Family!

J.B. Hunt Moves Up on Fortune 500

Congratulations team! We talk about thinking big, and here’s evidence that we’re growing. J.B. Hunt has moved up 20 spots on the Fortune 500. That’s a 4% improvement in our ranking since last year and a 10% increase since we entered the Fortune 500 in 2013.

Traditionally, we think of companies within the transportation and logistics industry as our competition, but here are a few brands that share a similar ranking to us: Mattel, Charles Schwab, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Harley Davidson.

A higher Fortune 500 ranking means positive things for our people and for our future, including improved career opportunities and a stronger financial position. Let's continue to think big!

 

ProjectNEXT



OMs Jerry Hoban and Josh Kimble at Quaker in Indianapolis working on ProjectNEXT

ProjectNEXT is a multi-year project to upgrade our Operating System.  As part of this project, each region within DCS assigned an ambassador to this project.  Jerry Hoban is representing the Central Region.  Jerry has spent the last three weeks traveling to various accounts within the region.  During his travels, he is being assisted by members of our Information Systems Team to better understand how we run our businesses.  This will give the ProjectNEXT Team full visibility to our operations to aid in developing a new system tailored to DCS needs. 

Site Visits Performed

• Central Farm & Garden
• Soft - Lite Windows
• PPG
• Niagara Sheets
• Quaker

Each OM from the seven different operating regions will convene in Lowell next week to get a status update on where the project stands as well as updated timelines for completion.  We appreciate those who have been involved in assisting!  We will continue to give updates on this project over the next few months.

Congratulations Elvis Sehic!

 

 

Please join me in congratulating Elvis Sehic on his promotion to the Account Manager position at Quaker Oats/Service Partners in Indianapolis, IN, and Masterbrand Cabinets in Huntingburg, IN. Elvis recently celebrated his 2 year anniversary with JBH. He has progressed from the DMIT role to the OS position at Family Dollar Ashley, IN account while they were in start up mode.  He then took on the role of OS at CHEP Indy where he has been for the past 7 months. Elvis is a 2012 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Germanic Studies and a minor in Management.  Congratulations once again to Elvis as this is a well deserved promotion!

 

 



Happy Anniversary Mike Varty!

 

 

Happy Anniversary to Mike Varty as yesterday marked his one year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Mike is our Account Manager at Soft-Lite Windows in Streetsboro, OH.  We appreciate all your hard work Mike!

2015 Arkansas Truck Driving Championship

This past week was the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship in Rogers, AR.  Congratulations to Melvin Smith, Darren Taylor, Rodney Collins, Jeffrey Helmick, and Bo Nelson for placing in this event.  The Central Region was represented by James Sanders and Mike Hulsey from Toyota, and Mark Overholdt from Masterbrand Cabinets.  In addition, thank you to Anthony Warchol for volunteering his time to making this an outstanding event for JB Hunt!

 



 

 

The Central Region Office Trailer gets a makeover

Manager Shout Out - Brad Middleton

The post below was recently put onto the J.B. Hunt Drivers Facebook page.  It's great to see how much our team in Ashley has impacted Ken in his career!  Great job team.

 

 

 

 

1000 Days Injury Free at C&S Yorktown

Congratulations to our C&S Account in Yorktown, IN on recently passing 1,000 Days Injury Free!  This is a tremendous accomplishment, as the account has been injury free since startup! 

 

 

Pictured is Louie - the Yorktown driver trainer and one of the two drivers left since start up. Louie loves his jacket and is adding it to his collection of JB Hunt gear that he has already.

CVD at Soft-Lite Windows!



This past week, we got some positive feedback from our customer at Soft-Lite Windows.  It is our responsibility to make sure we are consistently bringing value to our clients.  This can be done through many different avenues.  In the case of Soft-Lite Windows, it was a team effort between our Management Team of Mike Varty and Sue Mateo and our Driving Team providing high end customer service day in and day out.  Great job team!

 



 

 

For what it is worth, I am extremely happy with Soft-Lite and Customer Service. Each and every one of your inside staff are tops in the industry in my opinion. Also, you have a new guy and I spoke to him today and for being new, he was extremely helpful!!!! Shipping has been going great and I am getting my deliveries on time. Drivers have been great at getting me taken care of, things are great! Its wonderful working with Furmain and he has went above and beyond for my customers and service and has gained a high respect level from the customers he has had to speak to and also did a wonderful job at a small cook out we had at Peter Lumber. I hope we can get our other locations using your product because they have no clue how much business they are losing by not dealing with your team!

 

Thank You For Everything,

 

Aaron

Peter Lumber

 

 

 

 



Congratulations Josh Mann!

 

Please help me congratulate Josh Mann who has been promoted to Account Manager for Toyota - Hebron, KY.  Josh has been with JB Hunt for 3 years. Josh came to JB Hunt from CLM Pallet Recycling and started with us as a DMIT in February 2012.  In October 2012, Josh was promoted to Operations Supervisor for Home Depot - Monroe, OH.  He was quickly promoted to Logistics Coordinator in January 2013.  Though his responsibilities increased tremendously he continued to make impactful contributions to the account.  Josh's hard work did not go unnoticed, in May 2014 he was promoted to Account Manager for Home Depot - Monroe, OH. Josh has been extremely valuable to the Home Depot team and will be missed greatly.

Josh is originally from Campbellsville, KY and is a proud graduate of Western Kentucky University. There he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Informatics.  Though a Hilltopper alum Josh is a huge Kentucky Wildcat fan.

Let's all congratulate Josh on his promotion and wish him continued success!

 

Happy Anniversary Elvic Sehic!

Happy Anniversary to Elvis Sehic as today marks his 2 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Elvis is a graduate of The University of Indiana and began his career with JB Hunt as a DMIT in the Indianapolis Region.  From there, he was moved to Family Dollar in Ashley, IN to assist with that startup.  In his current role, Elvis is back in Indianapolis working on the CHEP Account.  Happy Anniversary Elvis!

Happy Anniversary Rich Schwartz!

 

Happy Anniversary to Rich Schwartz as today represents his 7 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Rich began his career in Operations, running several accounts in the region including CHEP Hamilton and Intigral.  Rich currently serves as the Area Risk Manager for Northeast, OH and Western, PA.  Rich is a graduate of Bowling Green State University.  Happy Anniversary Rich!

 

Welcome Orin Schumacher

Please welcome Orin Schumacher as our new Operations Supervisor for the Central Farm & Garden DCS Account in Wooster, OH.  Orin comes to us from The Ohio State University where he majored in Logistics Management and was a member of the rowing team.  Orin is thrilled to take this position and get back closer to his hometown of Brewster, OH.

In his spare time, Orin loves outdoor activities such as boating, fishing and riding dirt bike.   Orin also is an avid sports fan. He loves to root for his Indians, Cavs, Browns and of course The Ohio State Buckeyes.  Welcome to the DCS Central Region Orin!  

Happy Anniversary Chris James!

 

 

Happy Anniversary to Chris James as this past Sunday marks his 3 year anniversary with the company!  Chris is currently a Dedicated Manager in Training in the Tabor Region.  Prior to becoming a DMIT, Chris was our Lead Driver on the Toys R Us Account based out of Youngstown, OH.  We were very fortunate to get Chris through the Toys R Us Private Fleet Conversion 3 years ago.  Prior to coming over to JB Hunt, Chris had worked for Toys R Us for over 8 years.  Chris's experience as a Professional Driver has proved valuable in his new role as a DMIT.  Congratulations Chris!

Happy Anniversary Sue Mateo!

 

 

Happy Anniversary to Sue Mateo as today marks her 3 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Sue came over to us as part of the Toys R Us transition in Youngstown, OH.  Prior to coming over to JB Hunt, Sue worked for Toys R Us for over 12 years.  When Toys R Us decided to outsource their fleet, we were fortunate enough to bring on Sue and all of her expertise.  Sue's knowledge of the business and relationship with that customer and the drivers was critical to our success there.  In her current role, Sue is our Operations Supervisor on the Soft-Lite Windows Account based out of Streetsboro.  We appreciate all you do Sue!

Central Region Driver of the Month for May - Jack Holloway

 

 

Congratulations to Jack Holloway for winning the Central Region Driver of the Month for May.  Jack is one of our drivers on the Family Dollar Ashley, IN Account.  Jack has been at the account since startup and has done a fantastic job with everything we have given him.  This includes being a driver trainer as well as a go to driver in terms of talking up safety at the account level.  Jack has earned a tremendous amount of respect from his fellow drivers on how he goes about his day as well as made himself a resource to our newer employees. 

 

Below is the write-up on Jack:

 



Jack consistently receives positive feedback from each of his deliveries. That's not easy to do when you make as many deliveries as Jack does. Jack has made roughly 700 deliveries since he started with us back in December of 2013, and every one of them has been a success. Jack's reputation with our customer has reached such a level that our customer will ask us to assign Jack to certain deliveries that have been problematic in the past.

I could fill a book with all of the reasons why Jack deserves to be driver of the month. I could tell you it's his impeccable safety and service records, his unbreakable drive to be the absolute best, or his consistently positive and professional demeanor. These qualities alone are reason enough to award Jack with driver of the month. However, Jack has done something that very few in his position have done before; he has made everyone around him better.

 Congratulations Jack!
 

Get to Know Debbie Daniels

 

 

Account Manager John Goodwin recently completed a RATLA with Debbie Daniels.  Debbie is a driver on our Limited Account based out of Reynoldsburg, OH.  Debbie has been with us since September of 2014 and lives in Lancaster, OH.  Debbie has been a Professional Driver for 19 years.  In here spare time, Debbie enjoys animals and watching Ohio State Football!  Thank you for all you do Debbie!

 



Fourth of July Safety Challenge at THD Van Buren

The Home Depot Van Buren is sponsoring a Fourth of July Safety Challenge where each driver will earn raffle tickets for being safe.  No Safety events in STARS, No Critical Events, RAIR data and On Time Service is all being used as criteria each week to earn chances to win.  Whoever wins will be taking home a gift basket, pictured above.  Best of luck!

Competition Time in Morehead

 

 

There is no better way to improve your results then a little friendly competition.  Our team at FD Morehead is doing just that.  In addition to the overall account collision and injury free stats, they have now broken these stats down by Operations Supervisor.  Matt Stark's Board is currently leading the way, sitting at 76 days collision free and 280 days injury free!  Great job FD Morehead!

Get To Know Joe Schultz

 

 

This past week, Nick Van Hooser had the privilege of riding along with one of the best in the business, Joe Schultz.  Joe is a driver on our Toyota Fleet based out of Kentucky.  Joe will be coming up on 23 years with JB Hunt this coming August.  Joe resides in Buffalo, NY and is a 2 Million Mile Safe Driver.  Joe is married and has two children.  When Joe is not working he enjoys traveling with his family, listening to sports talk radio, and tinkering around the house.

 

Below is Nick's write-up on his RATLA:

 

Joe is one of the most tenured drivers on the Toyota Fleet.  Joe displays professionalism and expertise in every aspect of his job.  Joe resides in Buffalo, NY and through being loaned out and transferring a few times, Joe has done a number of jobs within DCS and the Central Region.  Joe is a family man who understands hard work and doing what it takes to support his wife and two children.  Joe has a son and daughter who are his pride and joy.  Throughout our ride, Joe told me about his recent family vacation to Orlando to visit Disney World.  It had been years since Joe got away and spent a week on a family vacation.  Joe is not like the typical Kentucky sports fan where they eat, sleep and breathe basketball.  Where Joe comes from, you eat, sleep and breathe hockey.  Joe’s team is the Buffalo Sabres and he’s excited about them picking up Dan Bylsma as their new head coach.  Joe has Sirius in his truck so that he can keep up with the world of hockey.  Joe also enjoys being a handy man at home and not having to pay anyone for home repairs.



Congratulations Connie Fruchey on Retirement!

 

Congratulations to Connie Fruchey as this past Friday marked her last day with JB Hunt.  Connie is retiring after 15 years with the company.  Connie started her career in the Truck Group working out of Nitro, WV.  She also spent time in the Northeast working at C&S Wholesale in Northeast, MD.  Connie has spent the last 3 years back in her home state of Indiana overseeing C&S Yorktown as well as Armour Eckrich and recently Hanson Logistics.  Connie will retire in Southern, IN where here children and grandchildren reside.  Region Ops Manager Scott Tully, HR Manager Megan Perez, and Area Risk Manager Jeff Holle took Connie to lunch this past Friday in Indianapolis to celebrate.  Connie also visited our Corporate Office today where they had cake waiting for her.  Below is a picture with Connie and the person that hired her, Steve Rogers!  We wish Connie nothing but the best!