Drivers are the unsung heroes of our daily lives. Without drivers, important goods wouldn’t make it into our homes. We take for granted the hard work they do for us every day, so that we can have access to gas, food, medicine and everything else we need. At Centerline, we thank the drivers who put honor and dedication behind the wheel and Respect the Drive™
Category: Drivers
NPTC Safety Article- September 2024 -Marijuana Testing
In a House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure hearing earlier this summer, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed that his agency believes the U.S. Department of Justice’s proposal to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug will not change the current requirements for testing transportation workers, including truck drivers, for marijuana.
NPTC All-Star Drivers recognized at NPTC Safety Conference 2024
Recognizing and celebrating the safest drivers for their unwavering commitment to safety and service is what makes them true road heroes.
At the National Private Truck Council (INPTC) Safety Conference in Orlando, Florida, three Centerline drivers were honored and awarded as the 2024 National All-Star Drivers.
The National Driver All-Star Awards are awarded annually by NPTC to private fleet truck drivers who have demonstrated high-performance standards against their peer drivers throughout the country based on customer service, safety, adherence to company standards, regulatory compliance and community service.
With safety being our number one priority at Centerline, we celebrate and appreciate three of our drivers being awarded.
Here’s what our drivers have to say about being recognized for their dedication to safety:
Greg Neece—Every day, I strive to treat each customer with respect and build trust as if their business were my own. I work hard to meet client needs, maximize my time to handle as many loads as possible while ensuring my equipment stays in top condition. I hold myself accountable to the FMSCA rules, complete thorough inspections pre- and post-trip, and prioritize safety by keeping my speed controlled and avoiding handheld devices while driving. I strive to create genuine relationships, bring a smile to everyone’s face, and positively impact everyone I meet. You never know how your actions can affect someone.
Martell Farrell—A ride- along with a friend in 2014 sparked my passion for trucking leading me to earn my CDL and travel the country. After a year on the road, I returned home to be closer to my family and embraced local driving. Despite facing personal losses, I found healing and solace behind the wheel. My truck became my therapy, and driving kept my mind clear and focused on the road ahead, which it continues to do to this day. I am proud of my achievements, from tarping loads to mentoring other women drivers.
Jose Gallardo—From the moment I started as a truck driver I knew this was what I wanted to do. Over the years, I have taken pride in being proactive and ensuring my truck and equipment are always in top condition for safety. I am committed to delivering excellent customer service by building strong relationships with clients and always going the extra mile. I am always ready to help, whether that means taking on last-minute routes, assisting with unloading or mentoring new drivers. I believe in treating everyone with respect and integrity and am always looking for ways to improve efficiency and support my team. My job is a blessing that allows me to provide for my family and I am grateful for every opportunity to make a positive impact.
Congratulations to Greg, Martell and Jose on this well-deserved recognition and for embodying what it means to be a true all-star driver. And thank you for all you do for Centerline.
Click here to read the full NPTC press release.
Centerline Veterans Apprenticeship Program [Info Sheet]
![Centerline Veterans Apprenticeship Program [Info Sheet]](https://www.centerlinedrivers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Centerline-Veterans-Apprenticeship-Program-Infographic.jpg)
Centerline Drivers is partnering with FastPort to help veterans find meaningful work in their civilian life.
Military veterans are great candidates to become CDL drivers with a variety of applicable skills to transition roles. Through our VA-registered Veteran Apprenticeship Program, you can put your newly obtained skills to work as a Military Apprentice Truck Driver.
Centerline is here to support your transition and is ready to hire veterans to be qualified truck drivers.
Interested in applying? Click here to get started
Respect the Drive August Spotlight: Wendell Williams
Through our Respect the Drive program, our team and customers nominate drivers each month to share their stories for all the hard work they do and how they have gone above and beyond.
This month, our spotlight winner is Wendell Williams, a mobile driver in St. Martinville, Louisiana.
Since joining Centerline in May 2023, Williams truly goes the extra mile—both on the road and in his commitment to excellence. Williams has proven to be an invaluable asset to the team and consistently adapts to different clients and environments, seamlessly meeting their needs with professionalism and courtesy.
One of Wendell’s key strengths is his effective communication with clients and the Centerline team. This, combined with his excellent work ethic, has been essential to his success and has made him a reliable and trusted driver.
Virginia Barragan, Service Manager, who nominated Williams stated, “The core values he exemplifies are evident in his daily interactions with clients, where he consistently demonstrates a high level of respect and care.”
One of Centerline’s top clients recently expressed their appreciation for Wendell’s outstanding work on an account that requires time-sensitive deliveries. Highlighting his positive attitude and willingness to help whenever they needed him. This is just one example of how Wendell’s dedication and focus have made a significant impact on our clients, leading to clients regularly requesting him back.
“We take pride in having drivers like Williams who consistently go above and beyond for our clients. His strong work ethic, safety awareness, and professionalism make him an outstanding driver and a great representative of Centerline,” Barragan continued.
Thank you, Wendell for all your hard work and for Respecting the Drive!
If you are a driver in the market or know a driver who would be a great fit for Centerline, our Recruiting Managers are ready to talk! Reach out to them today.
NPTC Safety Article- August 2024 -Back to School
As summer ends, children of all ages are returning to school. Whether they are driving on the roadway, walking on the side of the road, or waiting for school buses, expect to see a lot more people on the roads and a lot more erratic driving behavior.
According to a report by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHSTA), autumn is the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians—with 29% of pedestrian-related fatalities occurring during the season.
In fact, pedestrian-vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death for children ages 5-14. Here are some tips to keep in mind
What would happen if drivers disappeared? [infographic]
![What would happen if drivers disappeared? [infographic]](https://www.centerlinedrivers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-If-Trucks-Disappeared-1.png)
A world without truck drivers is not a pretty world. Some would argue it isn’t even a very habitable world. The U.S. transportation system moves a daily average of about 53.6 million tons of freight—valued at over $54 billion.
If truck drivers stopped working, even for a day, the ramifications would be far-reaching
What would the world look like with no truck drivers?
What would happen if truck drivers disappeared?
A world without truck drivers is not a pretty world. Some would argue it isn’t even a very habitable world. The U.S. transportation system moves a daily average of about 53.6 million tons of freight—valued at over $54 billion.
If truck drivers stopped working, even for a day, the ramifications would be far-reaching
What would the world look like with no truck drivers?
Respect the Drive July Spotlight: Ricky Morgan
Through our Respect the Drive program, our team and customers nominate drivers each month to share their stories for all the hard work they do and how they have gone above and beyond.
This month, our spotlight winner is Ricky Morgan, a mobile driver in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
For the past 3 years, Ricky has been a valuable member of the Centerline team, demonstrating a professional attitude and a positive approach to challenges.
Recruiting manager, Breanna Behrens, who nominated Morgan stated, “He is truly a great colleague. He handles assignments calmly, has full trust in our Mobile team to support him, and continues to demonstrate his remarkable confidence and expertise in the transportation industry.”
Morgan’s confidence is not only a display of self-assurance but is also supported by his proven success in understanding the client’s goals and delivering outstanding results. His ability to take on any assignment, regardless of its complexity, demonstrates his depth of knowledge and skill.
“He shares his insights professionally to ensure that everyone involved is aligned and communicates effectively, which makes him extremely successful for not only the client but our entire team,” Behrens added.
Morgan’s ability to balance his professional and personal life with dedication is inspiring. Whether he extends beyond his professional commitments by adjusting his personal plans to ensure assignments are completed and freight is delivered or calling his team to do a check-in and catch up even after three years.
“I will never forget when his grandson was born; he proudly showed off his new grandbaby. He is a family man but a dedicated CDL driver, and you can see how much effort he puts into both parts of his life,” Behrens continued.
Thank you, Ricky for all your hard work and for Respecting the Drive!
If you are a driver in the market or know a driver who would be a great fit for Centerline, our Recruiting Managers are ready to talk! Reach out to them today.
NPTC Safety Article- July 2024 -Pre-Employment Screening Program
Centerline Drivers | Your Products, Our People
If trucks stopped moving even for a day, the impact would be felt by every single American. But sometimes you need a little help finding the perfect driver for local routes.
That’s where Centerline Drivers comes in
Respect the Drive June spotlight: Robert Hoffman
Through our Respect the Drive program, our team and customers nominate drivers each month to share their stories for all the hard work they do and how they have gone above and beyond.
This month, our spotlight winner is Robert Hoffman, a dedicated driver in Baltimore, Maryland.
Robert is known as a man of few words, however, his actions as a member of the Baltimore team speaks volumes.
Recruiting Manager, Kimberly Miller who nominated Hoffman stated, “He has been working for a dedicated customer of ours, since 2011 and hauls on the most important lane of material in our Baltimore location.”
Hoffman’s tenure with Centerline is marked by an impeccable driving record, free of accidents or incidents. In an industry where safety is our top priority, Hoffman’s flawless record highlights his exceptional skills and diligence.
“Hoffman has a steadfast work ethic and is extremely dependable. His reliability gives us peace of mind knowing the deliveries are in capable hands. When a job needs to be done and done right—he is the right choice!” Miller stated.
Thank you, Robert for all your hard work and for Respecting the Drive!
If you are a driver in the market or know a driver who would be a great fit for Centerline, our Recruiting Managers are ready to talk! Reach out to them today!
