In Times of Need, We Step Up!

After hearing about a recent house fire to one of the newest members of the team, Wilson Jones (better known as Jones), the MasterBrand group recognized an opportunity to help out.  Knowing there was nothing they could do to help bring back certain items lost they shifted their focus and provided some essentials since Jones will be living out of his truck short term:

• Collapsible laundry basket to save room
• Laundry detergent
• Water
• Meals and snacks
• Wal-Mart gift card
• Other misc items

Jones was extremely moved and could not believe that a company would do something like this for him.  Jones has never seen this kind of gesture towards him or anyone he knows with any company before. The MasterBrand team explained that he didn’t just start a new job but instead became the newest member of a family.  Driver Dedication is important and may have just created the beginning of future Million Miler!

Congrats Mick Winstead!

Congrats to Mick Winstead for winning our 1^st Annual Central Farm and Garden Driver of the Year award.  Back in December of 2016 AM Andrew Vincent and OS Matt Morton put together a Driver of the Year program based on supreme safety and operational standards.  Some of the areas evaluated were collisions, DOT inspections, RAIR points, compliments/complaints, clean truck inspections, HOS violations, and Manager observations just to name a few.  It was a tight competition until the very end and Mick pulled away as our first Driver of the Year winner.  Congrats to all of our drivers who drove this program as a success. 

Mick was an incumbent from Central Farm and Garden and has been a dedicated employee since he joined JB Hunt back in 2014.  Mick has proved he is an invaluable asset when it comes to safety. He consistently displays a positive attitude and always goes above and beyond to exceed expectations from our customer. Mick has 3 boys of which 2 work for our customer directly.  Mick is an avid baseball fan who is looking for the hometown Cleveland Indians to take the World Series trophy this year.  Mick earned a $300 gift card for his hard efforts and the fantastic JB Hunt plaque he was awarded.  Thanks for all you do Mick and bravo on a job well done!

Central Region Helping Out

 

Just before the holidays a few Team Warchol and Team Tabor folks got together with friends and family to donate time at a Lexington, KY food bank.  Not only was this a great teambuilding event, but we really made a difference.  In fact, as soon as Team JB Hunt arrived, we went into continuous improvement mode making several processes more efficient.

Hard work and efficiency gains led to new single shift records at this location.  Over 24,000 lbs. of donated food were processed into over 600 cases.  These 600 cases of food were stacked into 23 full pallets of goodness.   Great Job Team!

 

Picture Left to Right:       Anthony Warchol, Andy Glaser, Ashley Haney, Ben Hurt, Sarah Black, Rachael Knick, Gabrielle Hurt, Jaden Hurt, Alaina Newman, and Jecorey Newman

 

 

Welcome Alex Karayianopoulos!

Please welcome Alex Karayianopoulos to the DCS Central Region!  Alex is a native of Jefferson, OH and attended the University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH.  While at Mount Union,  he was a member of the Wrestling team and majored in Psychology.  Alex will be based out of Northeast Ohio and will primarily work in the Stampfer Region supporting our accounts in that area.  Welcome to the team Alex!

 





Central Region Promotion Announcement - Matt Morton

Please join us in congratulating Matt Morton on his promotion to Account Manager at the Office Depot account in Hamilton, OH.  Matt joined JB Hunt as an Operations Supervisor in October of 2016 at the Central Farm & Garden Account in Wooster, OH.  Matt was instrumental in helping to turn around and stabilize the account where it has seen marked improvements in several areas. Most notably, Matt was key to the account winning the Central Region Risk Management Award for the mid-sized accounts this year at Kick Off.  Matt and his fiancé Christine will be relocating in February to the Cincinnati area to help take the Office Depot account to the next level. Congratulations Matt!!!

 

Home Depot Meetings in the ATL

from left Zach Oakes, Keith Taylor, Sam Djung, and Scott Tully

 

This past week, our leadership that represents our Home Depot business was in Atlanta for pre-spring surge meetings.  At this meeting there was representation from all of our Home Depot sites across the country.  The team not only met with Home Depot Leadership, but also shared best practices in preparation for the most critical time of year, Spring.  Great job by the four that represented the Central Region!

Central Region Corporate Support Person of the Year

Doug sports the circa 2012 Eddie Bauer Kickoff Pullover!

 

Congratulations once again to Doug Sullivan for being chosen as the 2017 Corporate Support Person of the Year for the Central Region.  Doug began his career in the Central Region as a DMIT in northeast Ohio.  In his current role, Doug works in the pricing department and is responsible for pricing many new as well existing deals for the region.  Congrats Doug!

Happy Anniversary Jacqueline Buckles!

Happy Anniversary to Jacqueline Buckles as today marks her 4 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Jacqueline is our Region HR Manager based in Columbus, OH.  A University of Tennessee grad, Jacqueline began her career in the Southeast as a DMIT.  Happy Anniversary Jacqueline!

Happy Anniversary Garek Dunham!

 

Happy Anniversary to Garek Dunham as today marks his 3 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Garek started with the company years ago, serving on the Dollar General Account in Scottsville KY.  We were fortunate enough to then bring Garek back to the company for the Masterbrand Cabinets startup a few years later.  In his current role, Garek is the Account Manager for Kimball International in Jasper, IN.  Happy Anniversary Garek!

Warchol Region Gets After It!

 

This past week, Team Warchol took part in some after hours training in Jasper, IN.  In addition to Smith System recertification, there was also training around the 2018 budget and monthly financial statements.  Special thanks to Adam Martindale for Smith System certifying the group and presenting the safety content.  In addition, thanks to Garek Dunham for covering budget overviews and best practices.  Great work Team Warchol!

Congrulations Brandon Garey!

Congratulations to Brandon Garey on reaching his 1 million safe miles with JB Hunt!  Brandon has been with JB Hunt since 2006, and is currently assigned to our Toyota Account in Owensboro KY.  For his milestone, Brandon was joined by his family and Team Toyota for a dinner in Cincinnati.  Congratulations Brandon!

Happy Anniversary Drake Garcia!

 

Happy Anniversary to Drake Garcia as today marks his one year anniversary with the company!  Drake is a DMIT in the Tully Region, where he has spent time working at both Home Depot's as well as Kohl's.  Drake is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a native of Liverpool, NY!  Happy Anniversary Drake!

Happy Anniversary Grant Dunivan!

 

Happy Anniversary to Grant Dunivan as today marks his 7 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Grant started with JB Hunt back in January 2011 in the PCS group, managing power only carriers.  Grant has spent the last 4 plus years in Owensboro, KY working on the Toyota Account.  Happy Anniversary Grant!

Happy Anniversary Brian Tabor!

Happy Anniversary to Brian Tabor as today marks his 12 year anniversary with JB Hunt!  Brian is a Regional Operations Manager based in Columbus, OH.  Brian began his career at PPG in Delaware, OH and from there was the Account Manager at Limited prior to being promoted as a ROM a few years ago.  Happy Anniversary Brian!

Happy Anniversary Eric Jones!

Happy Anniversary to Eric Jones as today marks his 2 year anniversary with the company!  A graduate of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, IUPUI, Eric is an Operations Supervisor at Pet Supplies Plus in Seymour, IN.  Eric currently holds the title as the best chef in the region as he is known for his dinner spreads put on for the PSP driving team!  Congrats Eric!

CVD at New Toyota Headquarters in Plano, TX

From left: Anthony Warchol, Jecorey Newman, Zach Mattingly

 

This week, our team that manages our Toyota Account was in Plano, TX for their Annual Account Assessment.  This past year, Toyota moved its US Headquarters from California to Texas.  This was our first visit to this new state of the art facility.  The visit and the tour of the new facility did not disappoint!

 

Check out the link below:

 

Toyota Plano Texas HQ

 

2018 Central Region Kickoff

Thank you to all that attending this past weekend's 2018 Central Region Kickoff!  You will see a survey by the end of the week.  Please provide feedback on how we can improve the event for next year.  In addition, congratulations once again to all of the Friday Evening Award Recipients as well the Team Tully for taking home the cup!

Below are some additional sights from this past weekend.  Stay tuned for more!

Jason Green, Doug Sullivan, and Drew Riddles

John Goodwin takes control of the sound board

Grant Dunivan does his best to warm up

Terry Galyon and Grant Schoenfelder have a laugh

Corey Palmer representing the cuse

Chris Block and Terry Galyon

Mike Varty and Dana Crosby, still waiting for cookies to thaw out

Central Region Driver of the Month for December - Travis Harris

Congratulations to Travis Harris for being selected Driver of the Month for December for the Central Region!  Travis has been with JB Hunt for over 10 years, and currently serves on the Peco Pallet Account in Indianapolis.  What sets Travis apart is his flexibility and willingness to go wherever and do whatever is needed of him to support our customers.  Thank you Travis for your hard work and dedication!  

 

 

Below is the write-up for Travis:

 

December 2017 is Peco Pallets Indianapolis nominee for Central Region Driver of the Month.  Travis came to Peco by way of Quaker Oats in April 2017 where he worked for nearly 10 years and accumulated over 890,000 safe miles.  Travis is currently around 950,000 miles and is looking to hit his 1 million milestone in mid-2018.  Travis is also a certified Smith System Trainer under ARM Jeff Holle's area of responsibility.  Travis has currently put his bid for the million mile mark on hold in order to aid in performing the Holle sub-region's Smith System Refresher Course.  Travis' hard work, dedication, and sacrifice has led to most of the Kimble sub-region having completed the refresher in less than a month's time.

 

 

 

A Little About Travis Harris

Travis is a recently married family man with twin two year old step daughters whom he adores. Travis is also a Harley Davidson enthusiast who rides whenever the opportunity presents itself. Travis has several stories about hitting the road and has seen a good portion of the US on the back of his hog.