Charles G. Lawson Trucking drivers Recordo Jackson (left) and Larry Thomas have been recognized many times by the Alabama Trucking Association for highway and workplace safety.
4th in 2008, and 3rd in 2010 in the tanker division (He placed 5th in for Driver of the Year in 2009). Henderson says the management team at Lawson considers Jackson to be a model driver, not only for his extreme commitment to highway and workplace safety, but also for his loyalty to his employer and its valued customers. According to Henderson, Jackson’s ontime delivery is 100 percent, making him “a favorite among dispatch, payroll and safety departments.” “He has one of the most intense trucking jobs there is: pulling a food grade, non-baffled tanker,” Henderson wrote in Jackson’s nomination letter. “Not only is the equipment a task, but he is responsible for the food product safety. He has received numerous awards from his us over the years, and recently received a 23-year safe driving and loss prevention award from Great West.” Jackson says hauling liquids in tankers is one of the hardest jobs he has ever done. “It’s a trip, I’ll tell you that,” he deadpans. “I like to say my load is nervous – always shaking. And because of that, I have to be careful to maintain lower speeds at all A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2012
times. The way I see it, the posted speed limit is for cars. I have to be well below that – especially with a partial load.” Henderson adds, “(Recordo) is an exceptional driver and deserves to be recognized for his years of dedication to Lawson and the trucking industry in general. We are all so proud of him, and think he represents the industry very well.” Jackson is appreciative of the Driver of the Year honor and all the accolades and privileges that go with it, like attending the Association’s annual meeting in Biloxi last spring. “My wife (Beatrice) and I had a ball,” he says. “Everyone at the meeting was
incredibly nice. It was honor to attend. We didn’t want to leave Looking ahead, Jackson, 55, says he wants to drive a truck as long as he can – or at least as long as the managers at Lawson will let him. “I have no plans to retire,” he says. “I love being a truck driver; it’s all I have ever wanted to do. Besides, what am I going to do: Go home and sit around the house? Bills won’t get paid if I do that!” Interestingly, fellow Lawson driver Larry Thomas earned Second Runner Up in the Driver of the Year contest behind First Runner Up Jeffrey Wilson, a Montgomery-based driver for Osborn Trans-
“(Recordo) is an exceptional driver and deserves to be recognized for his years of dedication to Lawson and the trucking industry in general. We are all so proud of him, and think he represents the industry very well.” —Lawson Safety Director Debbie Henderson 5