2020 brought unprecedented challenges for people, companies
and organizations across the world. Fortunately, Wreaths Across America was
able to uphold its annual tradition of National Wreaths Across America Day on
December 19, 2020 despite such challenges.
Every December, Wreaths Across America spreads its mission
to Remember, Honor and Teach by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at
Arlington National Cemetery and more that 2,100 other locations across the
United States, at sea and abroad.
2020 was J&M’s third year to participate in Wreaths
Across America by helping deliver wreaths to locations in Florida. A J&M
Kenworth T680 and a custom wrapped trailer are used to pick up wreaths and
deliver them to different locations the week of National Wreaths Across America
Day.
This year, J&M Sylacauga Driver and Army Veteran, James
Wimmer was selected to deliver the wreaths on J&M’s behalf.
Wimmer first traveled to Mississippi to pick up J&M’s
portion of the wreaths and then back to Birmingham where he stopped by
J&M’s corporate office.
Wimmer then departed on his travels to Florida where he made
deliveries in Alachua, Bronson, Keystone Heights and Ocala.
“Participating in the Wreaths Across
America program is one of the most gratifying aspects of what I do.” Said
Andrew Petrofsky of J&M Tank Lines. “It allows us an opportunity to
honor our veterans who are not only part of the J&M family, but all the
veterans across the country. Having a J&M Veteran driver be part of
the Honor Fleet each year is a great recognition for the sacrifices he made and
is a testament to our country.”
This year is the second year a J&M veteran has delivered
wreaths for Wreaths Across America on behalf of J&M. Each year J&M
participates, it is hoped the deliveries will be made by a J&M veteran who
has volunteered for the cause.
“I come from a military family,” said Wimmer. “This is
simply another way I can serve my country and honor those in my family and those
I served with. Thank you J&M for this opportunity.”
If you are interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across
America, or interested in making a donation, click here
for more information.
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ay7n2FMYRiqoB4TeGaMVEw_thumb_1497.jpg7321074Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2021-01-06 16:03:522021-01-06 16:03:54Wreaths Across America 2020
The American Trucking
Association presented J&M Tank Lines, Inc. with the Mike Russell Trucking
Image Award, for a motor carrier, during this year’s virtual Management
Conference & Exhibition on Oct. 26, 2020.
This award is given to one
motor carrier, one state association and one professional driver who has gone
above and beyond to improve the image of the trucking industry.
“Involvement in our
industry’s associations is crucial whether it is at the local or national
levels,” said Harold Sumerford, Jr. CEO of J&M Tank Lines. “This award is
for all of the hard-working people at J&M Tank Lines and the efforts that
go into treating each other how we would like to be treated.”
First awarded in 2007, the
Mike Russell Trucking Image Award is given to an individual, motor carrier,
trucking organization and industry supplier who each demonstrate excellence in
illustrating the industry’s essentiality, professionalism, and commitment to
safety on and off the highways. Since 2014, the award has been sponsored by
HireRight.
“It is not enough to just
simply exist in this industry, you have to be active in this industry,” said
Peter Sumerford, President of J&M Tank Lines. “My father taught Harold and
me at a young to give of our time and our resources, to give back to an
industry that has been so good to us and to our people that have worked so hard
for us.”
J&M Tank Lines is
recognized for promoting the industry on social media and in the community,
working to improve drivers’ morale while providing important health and safety
information during the Pandemic.
“Technology and the rise of
social media is an extremely powerful tool,” said Sabrina Williams, J&M
Tank Lines’ Social Media Coordinator. “In an industry like ours where a
company’s workforce is so wide-spread, social media provides a platform to
connect employees to one another and the organization they work with. We take
concrete steps to involve our entire workforce in our online culture and
promote engagement through our various platforms.”
NTTC Competitive Safety Contest
We are
proud to have won our mileage class for the for the National Tank Truck
Carriers, NTTC, Competitive Safety Contest. This award is based on our safety
record from 2019 for 31.5 – 40 Million Miles driven.
The
attention to detail and safety-focused mindset that our professional drivers have,
allows for J & M to receive recognition for programs such as this. Each safe
mile that our drivers put in each day, accumulates toward our goal of getting
every driver home safely.
Costume
Contest
In the
spirit of Halloween, J & M hosted a Costume Contest on Friday, Oct. 30 for
all employees. Employees were allowed to dress in a work appropriate costume of
their choosing for a chance to win one of three prizes. First place received a
$50 VISA gift card, second place a $25 VISA gift card and third place a $10
Walmart gift card.
We had a
great turn out of costumes. Those at J & M’s corporate office who chose not
to participate were eligible to vote on the best costume. Votes were tallied
and placings awarded based on the total amount of votes. A fun way to celebrate
Halloween and bring some excitement to the office! Congratulations to our three
winners!
As far
back as Harold and Peter Sumerford can remember, J&M has held its Employee
Appreciation Picnic each year without fail. The picnic was started by Harold
Sumerford, Sr. and carried on by Harold, Jr. and Peter after taking leadership
of J&M Tank Lines.
This
year’s COVID-19 outbreak posed a serious threat to a tradition looked forward
to by so many employees and their family members. As September drew closer and
COVID-19 was still hanging around, the decision was made to rethink the 2020
Employee Appreciation Picnic.
To better
protect the health and safety of all J&M family members and their loved
ones, a virtual picnic option was created. While the comradery would be greatly
missed as well as the delicious food… a virtual event was deemed the best
option without cancelling all together.
The
Sumerfords distributed a letter to all employees thanking them for their
dedicated service and explaining the current health risk our traditional picnic
would impose. The letter also explained the outline for the virtual option, to
help keep some sense of normalcy and tradition.
Traditional
Picnic
Traditionally,
the picnic takes place in mid-September, in tandem with National Truck Driver
Appreciation Week. There are multiple picnics that take place across the
different locations of J&M terminals and operations. All picnics take place
on the same day, at the same times.
Employees
and their families are invited to attend their location’s picnic, held on a
Saturday, to enjoy home-cooked BBQ with all the fixings, comradery, multiple
raffle drawings and several rounds of bingo.
A
commemorative T-shirt is given out to all in attendance, in addition to the
many prizes distributed to employees and their families. A health fair wellness
check is also offered for all employees on J&M health insurance, with an
additional raffle prize opportunity for those who participate.
Virtual
Picnic
The
virtual picnic was designed to keep as many traditional picnic events as
possible. This included providing each employee with a $50 VISA gift card to
use with their families, a raffle drawing of traditional prizes and an
additional raffle to replace the health fair raffle.
Each
picnic location was given a time slot on the original Saturday date, for their
raffle drawing, employees were able to watch via Facebook, but were not
required to watch in order to win. All employees’ names were placed into a bucket
and guest drawers helped to select the winners of each prize.
Winners
were contacted the following Monday, regarding details on how to receive their
prizes. Employees also received their gift cards that week to put towards a
family experience, since the company was not able to gather.
David R. from our Villa Rica terminal stopped by the corporate office to receive his MacBook Pro
The
additional raffle created an opportunity for employees to have some fun while
also entering to win a 65” SONY TV. Employees had the opportunity to take a
photo of them and their family out using the gift card given to them and send
it in to J&M by Sept. 30. These photos were used as a raffle ticket entry
to win a 65” SONY TV. Winners were announced on Oct. 1 via Facebook video.
A few of our additional raffle submissions from our J&M family!
Overall,
the virtual employee appreciation was a success! Providing each employee with
an opportunity to win a prize through the raffle as well as spend time with
their family at their leisure on J&M. While we greatly missed spending time
with our employees and their families, we are happy to keep some tradition
alive.
Congratulations
to all of the winners from this year’s raffle! We are keeping our fingers
crossed for next year!
July and August have sent
encouraging vibes throughout J&M Tank Lines as the summer season begins to
wind down. While COVID-19 is still present across the country, proper PPE has
shown its effectiveness in protecting against the virus and helping to keep our
J&M family healthy. As companies continue to open back up, freight
opportunities are also increasing – giving companies like J&M potential for
additional growth. Catch a summer re-cap of everything J&M below.
July
The American Trucking Association (ATA) selected 10 drivers to attend the Salute to America at the White House in Washington D.C. on the 4th of July. J&M’s Darrien Henderson from Mobile, AL was one of those invited. Henderson and his wife traveled to D.C. for the festivities and were featured in Bulk Transport’s Article.
Vice President of Safety and
Compliance, Dave Edmondson, was invited to be part of this year’s FMCSA Virtual
Trucking Safety Summit. Edmondson, along with several other industry
professionals, spoke on challenges facing the industry and some ways to
overcome such challenges.
August
We are happy to welcome Chris
Bryan as our new Business Development Manager. Bryan has over 14 years of experience
in the tank truck industry and experience in both the shipper and carrier side
of the industry. We look forward to the strengthening of current customer
relations and the building of new ones as we keep J&M moving forward.
Nominations for the Truckload
Carrier Associations Best Fleets to Drive for are in and J&M has made the
list! This is our first year to be nominated and we are excited to take on this
journey. This nomination could not have taken place without the dedication and
hard work of our employees. Thank you!
This year’s pandemic has
forced several companies and organizations to change, cancel or post-pone
events that are usually held in-person. J&M’s Managers Meeting was no
different. What typically is a two-day in-person event filled with travel for
terminal and shop managers, terminal overviews, evaluations, team bonding and
state of the company discussions – turned into a virtual version.
With the use of Microsoft
Teams, video conference calls were possible to provide some face-to-face
interactions, while complying with social distancing. The comradery portions
were greatly missed, however other opportunities for more in-depth reporting
and reviews were made possible.
Adjusting to a new normal is
never simple and certainly has its challenges. The J&M family has shown is
flexibility and willingness to adapt to changes as they come. No one knows what
the future holds, but we are confident in the abilities of our employees and
the services we provide to keep J&M and our industry moving forward.
Many
of our nation’s professional drivers have seen an extreme slowdown in freight,
a shut down in some cases, as a result from the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic.
Other drivers have been fortunate to maintain consistent loads and steady pay
while making adjustments to their day to day operations.
For
company drivers, such as J & M’s, these adjustments consist of daily
self-certification forms, masks, daily sanitation, virtual safety meetings,
social distancing and more. A silver lining for drivers during this pandemic
has been the extreme decrease in traffic and other motorists during both
interstate and intrastate travel.
Professional
drivers and other essential personnel have had the roadways to themselves over
the last few months, but as each state begins to lift Stay Home orders, more
challenges are coming.
Everyone
is adjusting to what the new normal will be including public outings, travel,
shopping and recreational activities. Many states still require citizens to
wear masks and maintain social distancing while in public, but what does this
mean for the professional driver?
Drivers
have an advantage on those who have been under the Stay Home order. That
advantage being they have already adapted to new safety and health protocols
put in place by local, state and national government agencies.
However,
a disadvantage comes into place as drivers will need to adjust again to the
increase of motorists throughout the nation. This adjustment also applies to
non-professional drivers as well.
All
motorists should be aware that they are not the only ones traveling,
recognizing that some may not have driven or traveled for weeks. The time has
come to remind yourself of some standard driving safety tips and laws, whether
you are operating a commercial or personal vehicle.
Safety
Reminders:
Wear your seatbelt
– It’s the law!
Put down the
mobile device – Many states and cities have made it against the law to use a
mobile device while operating a vehicle of any kind.
Use extra caution
on the roadway
Keep
a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
Use
proper turn signals
Check
you mirrors
Be
prepared for rush hour and construction related traffic
Keep
a level-head – Road rage only escalates a dangerous situation
Inspect your
vehicle
Commercial
drivers should maintain proper pre and post-trip inspections
All
motorists should inspect their vehicle for potential problems that can arise
from inconsistent or minimal use. Such as flat or expired tires, low tire
pressure, low fluid levels, etc.
Be alert! Brush up
on defensive driving techniques – it could be the difference between an
accident or arriving safely.
Help
do your part to lessen the amount of accidents as our nation begins to open up.
From
our J & M family to yours, stay safe out there.
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ATL-traffic-scaled.jpg12802560Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2020-06-19 14:15:202020-06-19 14:16:01States Are Opening, What Does That Mean for Drivers?
J & M Tank Lines continues to prosper and grow each year through forward-thinking leadership and the hard work of each employee, at every level. 2019 was a year of next-level planning and business opportunities, which included plans of a new corporate office.
Summer and
fall 2019 brought ownership of the previous Valley National Bank corporate
office along Highway 280 in Birmingham. While just a short move across the
street from the existing office, this new building brings long-term goals and
future growth opportunities into place.
Now headquartered at 1100 Corporate Parkway, J & M Tank Lines maximizes on new technology opportunities to streamline day-to-day operations and advance within the industry ranks. A new layout among departments allows for quicker operations and more open communications.
While adjustments are made and new workflow processes are implemented, J & M Tank Lines has its sights on maintaining its status as an industry leader and continuing to help move trucking forward.
“Harold and I are proud to provide this wonderful, new corporate office for our valued employees,” said J & M Tank Lines President, Peter Sumerford. “As they continue in their daily dedication to helping J & M meet our goals of serving the needs of our customers and continuously progressing as we look to the future.”
Valley
National Bank will continue to host a branch on the 1st floor
entrance and drive thru, however the other three floors will be home to J &
M Tank Lines.
Orientation/Training room
Safety/HR Departments
Recruiting Department
Upon
entering the building through the lakeside entrance, you will find the Driver
Orientation/Training Room, Safety, Human Resources and Recruiting Departments.
Operations
Accounting
A trip to
the 2nd floor, hosts the Operations and Accounting Departments.
Leadership Team
Board Room
Finally, a
trip to the 3rd floor, hosts the Leadership Team and Boardroom.
New
department layouts allow for more team collaboration and accessibility. Each
department is provided with equipment and technology to simplify daily tasks
and maximize the time and resources of each employee.
The implementation of these technology features will assist with J & M Tank Lines’ existing paperless efforts as well as provide timely responses to the needs of employees’ company-wide and next-level service to our customers.
“We are
proud to stand by the success and growth of J & M,” said J & M Tank
Lines CEO, Harold Sumerford, Jr. “Providing a better environment for continued
growth is a testament to the hard-work and success of our employees.”
J & M Tank Lines is excited to provide improved resources to our staff as we continue to grow. To simply exist is not enough, J & M Tank Lines strives to continue to push trucking forward as a leader in the tank truck industry.
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_d77.jpg7241086Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2020-05-20 14:21:582020-05-20 16:01:16J & M Tank Lines, Inc. Corporate Office Move
As our
country adapts to the world-wide epidemic that is the coronavirus (COVID-19),
so do the many industries that support the United States economy. Each day is
filled with new statistics, new local and federal orders, new medical advice
and a new normal.
Those in
the trucking industry have always recognized this industry to be the backbone
of our country and now the rest of the country is realizing it too. The mass
hysteria that occurs in grocery stores as citizens rush to stockpile as many
cleaning supplies, toilet paper and canned goods as possible, has everyone
looking for the Professional Truck Drivers to deliver the next shipment.
While J
& M Tank Lines focuses primarily on the dry-bulk, B2B portion of the
trucking industry, we are honored to serve and support our nation and its
people. While business is not what we consider to be “normal” we are striving
each day to adapt to the changing epidemic to keep our employees, customers and
their families safe, while still delivering freight. Here are a few policies
and procedures we have implemented to help make this happen.
A
Letter to Our Customers & Our Employees
Maintaining
open communication with our customers and employees is crucial to ensure the
needs of all parties are being met. Each customer has their own version of
health and sanitation policies that our drivers must be compliant with.
However, compliance at the customer is simply not enough.
In order
to help stop the spread of the virus, all J&M employees, not just our
professional drivers, are to adhere to any new or changing health and
sanitation policies set by J&M in compliance with the CDC and state and
federal governments. From the moment an employee arrives to work, to the moment
an employee departs, there are steps put into place to help keep them safe from
the spread of COVID-19.
All
customers and employees of J & M are greatly encouraged to reach out with
any additional questions or concerns regarding new or any changes in policy. In
times such as these, one cannot over communicate.
Information
& Details About COVID-19
It can be
difficult to defend yourself and others from a virus that you are either not
aware of or do not know much about. For this reason, flyers explaining what the
coronavirus (COVID-19) is, how to protect yourself and your family, as well as
hygiene and travel tips are placed around our terminals, offices and driver
mailboxes.
Policies
A variety
of new policies have been put in order over the last few weeks and changes to
such policies are expected to happen.
Hygiene
& Health Policy (For all locations & employees)
Corporate/Office
Sanitation Policy (Specific to those who work at a desk and come into contact
with heavy traffic and communal areas)
Terminal
Social Distancing Policy (For drivers and terminal employees)
Daily
Truck Sanitation Policy (For drivers and mechanics)
If
You Are Sick… (For any employees that may show any suspicious symptoms)
COVID-19
Health Screening Questionnaire (Required for all employees upon arrival to work
daily)
Essential
Worker Form (Required for all employees to carry on their person or in their vehicle,
in the event that documented proof of essential personnel is required by law
enforcement)
Communication
Outlets
Multiple
communication outlets have been implemented in an effort to provide any changes
or updates in information to all employees in the timeliest manner possible. A
few of these outlets include:
Personal
and company emails
People
Net Messages (sent directly to each truck to be seen at time of login)
Social
Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
Weekly
video messages from our CEO, Harold Sumerford, Jr.
YouTube
Playlist for COVID-19 Health Tips (includes informational videos)
Flyers
and postings at each terminal and office location
Handouts
in driver mailboxes at the terminal
Contact
information for anyone who has questions or concerns
Weekly
management conference calls
Until the
threat of the coronavirus has ceased, we expect more policies to come into
effect as well as changes to any existing company and customer policies. We
hope to do our part in flattening the curve while also keeping America moving
forward. Thank you to all of our employees for your dedication to J & M and
willingness to get the job done. We have always believed we have the best
employees in the industry, and it is proven each day.
Employees and customers, please do not hesitate to reach out to hr@jmtank.com with any questions or concerns you may have. We are here and ready to support you as we work towards a corona-free environment.
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Essential-2.png10801080Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2020-04-15 15:00:002020-04-15 21:12:59J & M Tank Lines Takes On COVID-19
The first quarter of 2020 has been a busy one at J & M Tank Lines. While most companies are showing a slow-down in operations, we remain steady with more growth on the horizon. These first few months have allowed J & M to recognize the newest inductees to the J & M Million Mile Club, for those drivers who hit one million safe miles in 2018, and a company-wide Managers Meeting, allowing for terminal and shop managers to meet with corporate personnel to discuss current operations and team-building.
J & M Tank Lines Million Mile Club
In 2018, 11 of J & M’s Professional Drivers reached one million safe miles driven, which takes roughly nine years to accomplish pending no accidents or violations occur in that time. One driver was recognized for reaching two million safe miles driven, serving J & M for roughly 17 years. A formal dinner was hosted in Birmingham, Al for those from Alabama and another in Atlanta, Ga for those from Georgia. This dinner allowed million milers and their wives to be recognized for their achievements by J & M’s executive management and leadership.
Birmingham, Alabama Dinner
Atlanta, Georgia Dinner
The following professional drivers were recognized for reaching one million miles:
Charles Caesar – Sylacauga
Reginald Cureton – Sylacauga
Jerry McDonald – Sylacauga
Howard Melton – Sylacauga
Theodis Minor – Sylacauga
Stanley Jones – Sylacauga
Thomas Gartrell – Holly Springs
James Prettyman – Holly Springs
Kenneth Powell – Americus
Darrien Henderson – Calera
Charles Shavers – Calera
2018 Million Mile Rings from Alabama
2018 Million Mile Rings from Georgia
The following professional driver was recognized for reaching two million miles:
– Michael Yearby – Americus
Managers Meeting
The end of February brought a combined teambuilding and training session for all J & M corporate staff as well as terminal and shop managers. Over two days, terminal personnel, corporate personnel and executive management met to discuss each terminal’s needs and growth opportunities as well as an overview of J & M’s expectations for 2020.
This meeting provided these employees the opportunity to interact with those they rarely see face to face. These interpersonal relationships are crucial to the functions of J&M and provide time to find solutions and spark new ideas in a positive team environment.
J & M Tank Lines is blessed with a strong group of driven employees, that are working to help move the trucking industry forward. Our elite force of drivers, paired with motivated management and support staff, allows J & M Tank Lines to remain an industry leader.
We would like to congratulate, again, our 2018 Million Mile Club inductees for their dedication to safety, J & M Tank Lines and the trucking industry. Thank you to all of our J & M family for your continued service, we are looking forward to a great 2020!
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/JM_Tank_Logo_Full_Color-scaled.jpg23392560Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2020-03-11 19:47:292020-04-15 15:46:392020 Kicks-Off Strong at J & M Tank Lines
New programs are developing in the trucking industry to test
the abilities of drivers under the age of 21, in hope of opening a new market
of professional truck drivers. It is currently legal for drivers as young as 18
years old to hold a CDL and travel intrastate, however they are not able to
cross state lines or transport materials originated from another state.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched an Under 21 Military CDL Pilot Program in order to test whether drivers under 21 years of age are as safe as those over 21 years of age. This study has the potential to open laws and regulations to allow professional truck drivers under the age of 21, to travel interstate with commodities from various origins.
This pilot program will hold two driver groups:
Study Group – Drivers aged 18, 19 and 20
currently enlisted in a branch of The United States Military with one of seven
specific military occupations. These drivers must be eligible to operate in
intrastate commerce.
Control Group – Drivers aged 21, 22, 23 and 24
currently enlisted in The United States Military with one of seven specific
military occupations. These drivers must be eligible to operate in interstate
commerce.
While drivers will age out of the pilot program upon turning
21 years old, carriers may continue to employ these drivers.
J & M Tank Lines is one of 23 motor carriers accepted
into this pilot program and one of few which specializes in Dry-Bulk commodities
with operations in the Southeastern United States.
Military occupations that are currently eligible are:
Army
88M – Motor Transport Operator
92F – Petroleum Supply Specialist
Air Force
2T1 – Vehicle Operations
2F0 – Fueler
3E2 – Pavement and Construction Equipment
Operator
Marine Corps
3531 – Motor Vehicle Operator
Navy
EO – Equipment Operator
The FMCSA states that drivers must meet all requirements,
except for age, for operating a CMV in interstate commerce. Drivers are not
allowed to transport passengers or hazardous materials, nor operate special
configuration vehicles; such as double or triple trailer combination or cargo
tank vehicles.
Carrier members are required to provide monthly data submissions for each study or control group driver in addition to immediate reporting for accidents, convictions, alcohol or drug related incidents, leaving the company or leaving the pilot program.
For more information about the FMCSA Under 21 Military CDL
Pilot Program you many visit their website here and for a full list
of carrier members, here.
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lwdwaR3QmgF9yDOLM32g_thumb_b8c.jpg7371067Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2020-02-18 14:45:202020-02-18 14:56:06J & M Tank Lines Accepted for FMCSA Under 21 Military CDL Pilot Program
The excitement and joy that spread across J & M Tank
Lines’ Professional Driver, Darrien Henderson’s face told J & M Tank Lines’
CEO, Harold Sumerford, Jr. all he needed, to confirm he made the right choice
by nominating Henderson for the NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year
award.
Sumerford informed Henderson he is one of the eight
finalists for the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) 2019-2020 Professional
Tank Truck Driver of the Year (PTTDY) award, shortly after its public release.
Henderson immediately jumped for joy and could not believe it… he is going to
Washington D.C. to stand with some the industries best professional drivers,
himself included. Of these top eight finalists, one will be named the Grand
Champion and awarded the William A. Usher, Sr. Trophy.
August 2019, the NTTC opened its application for the
2019-2020 PTTDY award. It takes a special kind of professional driver to
qualify for this award and Sumerford wanted to be sure to nominate one of his
drivers for this opportunity.
“It takes an elite driver to make it in the tank world,” said Sumerford. “I believe J & M has the best drivers in the industry and I want to make sure they are recognized for it through programs like the NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award.”
About the NTTC PTTDY Award
The NTTC created the Professional Tank Truck Driver of
the Year award to recognize, pay tribute and promote professional tank truck
drivers who provide reliable and safe transportation of all dry-bulk and liquid
commodities.
The NTTC Safety Committee selects a driver based on his/her
ability to operate safely and professionally, demonstrate leadership abilities
within his/her company and the candidate’s contributions to the industry and
community.
To be eligible for this award, a professional driver must
be employed full-time with an NTTC carrier member or fleet associate member for
three consecutive years. All applications are reviewed for their accuracy by
the NTTC as well as signed by the member company’s CEO, Director of Safety and
applicant.
Any NTTC carrier member or fleet associate member is
eligible to nominate up to 2 candidates for review. The application consists of
questions about the candidate regarding his/her personal and professional
experiences, a written statement from the applicant and three letters of
recommendation; one from the company and two non-company related. A copy of the
applicant’s MVR is also mandatory to ensure a clean and safe driving history.
Of the submitted applicants, eight driver champion
finalists are selected, and one grand champion driver is selected from these
finalists as the NTTC Driver of the Year Award recipient.
The grand champion receives a tank truck trophy, an honorary jacket, a commemorative ring and two golf shirts. Also, the NTTC will make a $2,500 donation to a safety-related organization in the grand champion’s name.
Henderson posing with a 2019 Kenworth T680 day cab
About J & M Tank Lines’ Candidate:
Upon deciding J & M Tank Lines would submit a
candidate for this year’s competition; Sumerford paired with J & M’s Vice
President of Safety and Compliance, Dave Edmondson, Jr. to find the right
candidate.
Not only did the candidate need to meet the technical
qualifications set by the NTTC, but J & M wanted to take it a step further
to find a candidate that would represent not only the company, but also someone
who sets the example for professional drivers everywhere.
After weeks of an internal review, Henderson was one of
five J & M drivers being considered. Following several phone-call
interviews, Henderson was excited and eager to be the one to represent J &
M Tank Lines on what could turn into a national scale.
“Darrien has earned the
right and the privilege to stand among the best tank truck drivers in the
country through his desire to be the best, his dedication to safety and his
professional character,” said J & M Tank Lines’ President, Peter Sumerford.
“He represents himself and our company with the kind of integrity and respect
that can be rare to come by.”
Henderson and Edmondson will attend the PTTDY Finalist
Interview portion in Washington D.C. on February 17 – 18. Following those
interviews, Henderson will be invited back to D.C., with Sumerford and
Edmondson to attend the NTTC Annual Conference May 3 -5 where the grand
champion will be announced.
“I am just so honored that J & M recognizes the hard
work I have put into my job,” said Henderson. “I have been with J & M for
almost 10 years and a professional driver for 23. Opportunities like this don’t
come often. I am so blessed to be considered for this award.”
Congratulations Darrien on becoming a finalist in this
year’s NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year competition. Your
dedication to the industry, your customers and J & M are profound. Good
luck in D.C.!
https://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_75b.jpeg10801920Sabrina Williamshttps://www.jmtank.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JM_Tank_lines_logo_trans-300x138-padded-300x138.pngSabrina Williams2020-01-15 15:55:002020-01-15 21:58:15J & M Tank Lines’ Darrien Henderson Named NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Finalist