For more than 40 years, the National Private Truck Council has hosted a Driver Hall of Fame program, now sponsored by International Trucks, which honors four drivers from the private fleet industry each year. This recognition was held at a special induction ceremony during the council's Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition in Orlando last month.
To qualify for the Hall of Fame competition, a driver must have a minimum of 3 million miles, 20 years, or 50,000 hours of consecutive driving experience without a preventable accident. Nearly 150 drivers have been inducted into the Driver Hall of Fame since the program began. The 2023 winners are among the best drivers on the road today.
Claude 'Ricky' Cook of Shaw Industries
Claude "Ricky" Cook started driving in 1979 and has been with Shaw Industries (No. 227 on the FleetOwner 500: Top Private Fleets list) for 38 years. Ricky hauls soybeans, yarn, liquid base and latex, filler, resin pellets, and flooring. He learned to drive at Watts Dairy Farm, driving a single-axle tractor pulling soybeans in a grain trailer. While at Watts, he obtained his chauffeur's license.
Ricky started driving for Shaw as an interplant driver moving raw and finished goods between various Shaw plants. He works 11 hours per day, four days a week, and operates in north Georgia. Claude is also a driver trainer for Shaw, helping train other drivers in promoting safety and defensive driving best practices.
"I'm not sure I'd call it maintaining my personal wellness, but what makes me feel good is helping others, ending the day knowing I put in a good day's work, and going home to my family," Ricky said. "I walk three times a week and try to eat healthy because I must watch my sugar intake. Shaw keeps defensive driving at the forefront. In today's world, that means having a lot of patience. Being courteous can have a lasting impression. Maybe I played a part in making someone's day a little better. That's what it's all about."
Ronald Mahar drives for Walgreens, assigned by CPC Logistics.
Ronald Mahar has held this position for 33 of his 54 years of driving. He learned to drive on his family farm, operating old farm tractors. During his service in the U.S. Army, he trained as a mechanic and drove all types of different equipment, including low-boys and flatbeds.
At Walgreens, Ronald pulls doubles, 48- to 53-ft. trailers, and drives eight to 10 hours per day, covering up to 2,300 miles per week. He is a mentor for all new drivers who are brought on as doubles drivers. During his career, Ronald has earned driver of the month, driver of the year, and 2 million-mile and 3 million-mile awards.
"I maintain my wellness as a driver by getting lots of sleep and staying well rested as much as possible. I eat right and try to walk around the truck when I stop to stay active and moving. I pay attention to everyone when I'm driving, keep my eyes moving, and try to play the license plate game to keep my eyes alert. My truck is a little bigger than everyone else on the road, so I must make sure I have more room because it takes me more time in my movements. My customers are one big happy family, so to speak. I try to maintain civil niceties with them. I greet them like family and follow the Golden Rule."
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William Steele of Unifi Manufacturing Inc.
William Steele has 18 years of driving experience with Unifi Manufacturing out of a 42-year career as a professional driver. He currently works 50 hours a week and drives 300 to 400 miles per day throughout North Carolina and Virginia, hauling textiles and general commodities. William has won 17 years of Unifi Safe Driving Awards and was named driver of the month by the North Carolina Trucking Association. For several years, he competed in North Carolina Truck Driving Championships.
"I have strived to be a safe driver during my career," William said. "My goal is to be the safest driver that I can be. Having a good attitude is one of the essential parts of being safe. I have trained several drivers and try to lead by example in helping them understand how important it is to maintain proper following distance and never get in a hurry."
Christopher Nelson of Baxter Healthcare
Christopher Nelson has been with Baxter Healthcare for 44 years, 35 as a driver. He maneuvers a 26-ft. box truck in city and rural areas utilizing a liftgate and manual dolly to complete daily and overnight routes. He delivers life-sustaining medical supplies to patients' residences. Routes include loads that can range from 6,000 lb. up to 15,000 lb. Christopher estimated that he has delivered over 40 million lb. of product to patients over the years.
He is the primary trainer for the St. Louis team. Christopher leads by example on the training of new hires. He has championed many safety and training programs that include the installation of liftgates and their proper use when rolled out companywide. He is the company's inclement weather safety champion, and he promotes loading of trucks to ensure safe weight and load distribution.
"With all my years at Baxter, I've always been a driver you can depend on. I always try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and work out on a regular basis. I try to eat healthy and get proper rest," Christopher said. "I have a spotless driving record that I believe is due to being alert and ready for anything that can happen on the road. I constantly scan the road, check mirrors, maintain proper speed, always adjusting for conditions. I extend this behavior to my home dialysis patients that I deliver to. I have never had a customer complaint in my career. I treat home patients with professionalism, courtesy, and compassion."
Congratulations to Claude, Ronald, William, and Christopher as NPTC/International Truck Driver Hall of Fame winners of 2023.
Gary Petty has served nearly 20 years as president and CEO of the National Private Truck Council. He is also the Private Fleet Editor for FleetOwner.
