Recognizing Excellence: Meet NPTC's 2024 National Driver All-Stars
A record 27 private fleet truck drivers who have demonstrated high-performance standards were honored in September by the National Private Truck Council as the 2024 National Driver All-Stars. The award has been supported by charter co-sponsor International Motors for 15 consecutive years under the leadership direction of Bob Mann, International’s VP of government sales and Diamond Logic Builder and NPTC Board member.
NPTC launched the National Driver All-Stars program in 2009 to identify those drivers of its fleet member companies who merit special recognition based on how they perform against their internal corporate benchmarks of excellence. Metrics typically measure superior performance in customer service, safety, adherence to company rules and expectations, regulatory compliance, and community service.
NPTC is honored to showcase these drivers for achieving high levels of performance. This year’s winners embody the character, skills, and attitudes that are the heart of what enables the private fleet to be a competitive advantage in corporate transportation. The drivers are exemplary ambassadors for their companies and the entire private fleet community.
Good character and positive attitudes are hallmarks found in this year’s honorees. Many drivers are guided by their faith, and each follows the “Golden Rule” to treat others how they would want to be treated. Whether it’s a customer, another highway user, or a company employee, everybody they encounter is treated with courtesy and respect.
Relationships with others are nurtured, but they also take care of themselves. Committing to a healthy lifestyle is essential to their daily routine. As a result, they show up to work well-rested, fueled with the right kind of food, and with their minds focused on the task at hand.
They are earlier than "on time," which they consider late. Being early allows them to avoid potential problems with minimal stress. Calm, emotionally level-headed, and well-balanced, they don’t get excited or stressed. Before getting behind the wheel, they check their problems and keep their emotions “between the lines.”
These drivers invest in their equipment by conducting thorough pre- and post-trip inspections to ensure their vehicles operate in peak condition. They refuse to pencil-whip the process. In situations that can be dangerous, stressful, or frustrating, they remain patient and refrain from overreacting,
Each is committed to excellence in all facets of their lives. It is clear to them that doing a good job does not begin and end at the company gates. Their commitment to daily renewal involves investing in their personal growth, continuous learning, and improvement.
See also: NPTC's National Safety Conference helps fleets meet challenges
They conduct themselves with class, confidence, and optimism. They anticipate customer problems and issues on the highway before they become problems or before the customer realizes there is a problem. They handle complex on-the-road challenges with ease.
These drivers surround themselves with people who share the same values, such as a commitment to safety as well as the desire to help people reach their full potential. For them, hard work is a way of life, but they don’t view it as work. Each driver volunteers for extra assignments, helps conduct training, and coaches other drivers. In addition, they volunteer time outside the truck cab in numerous community improvement projects.
Each displays great pride in all facets of their life. Whether it’s the way they keep their truck clean, the way they dress, the way they speak, or the way they treat the customer, they respect themselves and all those that they encounter.
Furthermore, they are humble to a fault, complementing their pride. Nothing they do is done for the sake of recognition but because it is the right thing to do. As they know taking things for granted is a recipe for disaster, they fight complacency.
In their minds, truck driving is not a job. It’s a passion that carries a great deal of responsibility because it’s more than simply driving a truck. They are genuinely excited about the opportunity to serve the customer safely and in a professional manner.
At the top of this page is a photo gallery with details of all the driver honorees. By looking for these traits in the drivers that you hire, you, too, can enhance the winning performance of your driver team.
