Birds Eye Newsletter October

BIRDS EYE NEWS SPREAD YOUR WINGS

CONTENTS

3

3

Driver Lounge Update

4

Anita Sargent Retirement

5

Vote Chris Young

8

October Anniversaries

Dates to remember 10/2, 10/4, 10/10 - Flu Shots (apt required) 10/8 - Columbus Day 10/16 - National Boss’ Day 10/17 - CD Wealth & Management and Mass Mutual on-site @ 1:30PM 10/20 - Sweetest Day 10/31 - Halloween

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4

INDUSTRY NEWS

DRIVER STEVENS TRANSPORT PAY INCREASE The robust economy has afforded carriers the opportunity to raise rates with shippers, and Steven Transport is leading the pack thanks to our decades long commitment to service. We owe our progress to the hard work and dedication of our driving force, which is why we are passing along an additional $12 million directly to our drivers through two industry leading wage increases on March 23 and October 1. This 20% increase in starting driver pay, the most meaningful in our history, is unmatched by any of our peers in the marketplace – solidifying us as an industry leader in driver compensation, comfort, service and culture.

“We are proud to announce that we will be raising the pay for our drivers by an additional 10%. Combined with our previous raise in March, it means that Stevens Transport has increased our driver pay by 20% in 2018. We have the best work force on the road today, and we are adding almost $12 million to their pay this year to reward them for their outstanding work”, said Clay Aaron, President.

“Our Drivers are our most valuable asset and the cornerstone of our success with our Customers. We want to reward and keep this tremendous team together. In addition, we have significantly raised our Team, Contractor and Lease Operator pay. We are extremely excited to offer one of the most competitive and comprehensive pay packages in the transportation industry today”, said Angela Horowitz, VP & Director of Recruiting.

Written by: Matt Hetrick

PARAGON HIGHLIGHT

The Paragon body shop office received a new home this month, as a new center was constructed inside Bay 17.

This new addition to the building was completed in six weeks, and is the epicenter for ordering parts, scheduling appointments and meeting with drivers to assess the truck’s needs. The team is excited to have the new space as a one-stop-shop for the body shop’s business aspect.

Paragon Leasing Service Manager, Audie Delgado, explained the improvements the new office will bring to the body shop, “Being able to move all of the business functions of the body shop to one centralized location is something that will help us be more efficient. It also allows us to continue to provide excellent work to these trucks and to the drivers who depend on us to keep them up to the high standards that Stevens Transport has on their equipment.”

The second phase of the project will include a driver area, where status checks can be made on trucks being serviced in the body shop.

Written by: Matt Hetrick

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT STEVENS FLU PREVENTION

+ STEVENS 401K INCREASE Stevens Transport is excited to announce that our 401K employer matching contribution is increasing! Starting January 1, 2019 we will match your contributions with $0.50 for each dollar you contribute up to $1,200. If you want to enroll or make changes to your contribution selections you must complete and submit the Mass Mutual Enrollment & Beneficiary Designation forms to Mark Seagroves by Friday, September 14, 2018 for the 2018 Q4 enrollment period and Friday, December 14, 2018 for the 2019 Q1 enrollment period.

5TopTips 1. Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands well after using the washroom, before touching your face, or eating.

2. Get Your Flu Shot

It will take about 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to offer protection so get your shot early.

“BIG THANK YOU!” Stevens Transport has begun collecting items for The Big Thank You! These letters will be sent to soldiers and military personnel to thank them for their service to our country as we enter the Holiday season. The deadline to turn in these letters to Beth Strong is Thursday, October 18th. Lets give the men and women in uniform an unforgettable 2018 Holiday season.

3. Boost Your Immune System

Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, limit alcohol intake, and exercise regularly.

4. Keep Surfaces Clean

Clean shared surfaces often and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer handy.

5. Stay Home When Sick

Prevent the spread of the flu by staying at home and also keeping sick children out of school and daycare.

*Stevens offering free flu shots 10/2, 10/4, 10/10 (appointment required)

DRIVER LOUNGE UPDATE Stevens Transport is proud to announce a complete renovation to the current Driver Lounge, which began internal demolition in September. Property Manager, Gary Lide, is overseeing the project, and is excited about being able to give the drivers of Stevens Transport a comfortable place to relax when they come in to the Dallas Headquarters. The interior demolition of the building was completed by an 8-person team from Jericho Construction.

When completed, the interior will feature state-of-the-art bathrooms, complete with keyless lockers, marble countertops, and completely renovated showers. Brand new accommodations include large open eating area, tables with built-in outlets and a completely redesigned lounge area, with 2 flatscreen TVs, couches and lounge chairs.

The exterior of the building will feature a custom-made canopy, complete with ceiling fans, lights and comfortable seating.

Thank you to Gary and his team for the work they are doing to give Stevens drivers a comfortable place to rest before getting back on the road!

Written by: Matt Hetrick

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT STEVENS?

WELCOME TO

ANITA SARGENT RETIREMENT!

Anita started her career at Stevens-TL in August of 1993 and worked as the Salt Lake City-Terminal Manager for 25 years.

Throughout her years of service, she helped us overcome the impossible! Anita’s ability to sale and build rapport with external carriers was untouchable. She was gifted and has the track record to prove it. In honor of Anita’s many achievements, Stevens hosted a private retirement party in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It has been years since Anita’s family have all been together at one time, and it was such a beautiful sight to see! The party was full of laughter and great food! When we asked Anita what has kept her going after so many years, she replied; “Every day was not the same for me; I expected every day to be different and challenging. You have to learn to laugh a little and know it is not the end of the world when things go wrong.

Having a mindset that there is always tomorrow to be a better day will keep you recharged and focused. I also have a great team of supporters within the company, and I really can’t say enough good things about Stevens. Stevens is family!”

We also asked Anita, what is one thing you would like for others to understand about brokerage, “Patience is key. Being a Freight Broker is a big job. There is more to brokering than just booking the loads. You have to ensure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish. And, if a problem occurs, we all need to have the patience to work through them. Besides, it will take us a lot longer to get to the finish line without it.” Anita is married and has a very close-knit family. She has 7 kids, 18 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Anita’s family keeps her life full of excitement, and there is never a dull moment.

Outside of work, she always enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, camping, and hunting. During retirement, the first thing on her bucket list is visiting Europe next spring. Anita also looks forward to spending more time with her husband Roy, their grandchildren, and picking up hobbies. She admits it is going to be hard to relax, but with a grin, she says she is sure she can manage.

Anita says a special thank you to Mr. Aaron for the opportunity and thanks Matt Gray, Richard Delgado, and all of the CSR’s that helped her along the way.

“Anita is so committed to moving freight; she will load refrigerated produce on a flatbed to get the job done! She is passionate, strong, and determined to do whatever it takes. Anita will always command my respect for what she has accomplished year after year after year. We recognize it and can’t thank you enough for the 25 years of hard work and dedication. Anita, you will be greatly missed!”

-Matt Gray “I have worked with Anita for 13 years, and there are two things that I can say that describe her and it is hard work and passion. She is very passionate about what she does and works harder than any other broker I know. We would always try to find a way to finish the week with a laugh and figure out how to broker just one more load. I am truly going to miss our daily conversations about California and what the weather was doing that day in Salt Lake City. It has been such a joy working with her over the years, and she is going to be missed.”

-Richard Delgado

Written by: Cher Torres

CHRIS VOTE

YOUNG TRANSITIONTRUCKING.COM

Voting is open for the 2018 Transition Trucking Award, and Stevens Driver Chris Young is looking to take home the top prize – a fully-loaded Kenworth T680 truck!

Chris was born at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and is the son of a retired Air Force mother. He was called to serve in the United States Army, where he was a Petroleum Supply Specialist. Chris served for 15 years, including 4 combat deployments to Iraq and 3 overseas tours in Korea. Although his Army enlistment is over, Chris continues to serve in the Army Reserves, where he participates in monthly drills and training exercises.

Chris became interested in trucking while at a job fair at Fort Hood, where he came across the Stevens Transport booth and learned about the similarities between the military and trucking. From that moment, he was instantly hooked on his new career, and enjoyed his training with Stevens Driving Academy, and the independence that came with driving.

When asked what winning the Transition Trucking Award would mean to Chris, he explained, “Winning this award would mean so much to me and give me an immeasurable step-up in my career. It would give me the opportunity to be self-sufficient, be the owner of my own destiny and be able to make things happen for myself. I appreciate everything that Stevens Transport has done to set me up for success, and am humbled that the company nominated me for this award.”

Please help Chris achieve this life-changing award by voting for him every day!

Steps To Vote For Chris: 1. Go to TransitionTrucking.org 2. Click the “Vote” button 3. Choose Chris 4. You will be asked if you want continue logging in - click YES 5. Click Continue 6. Vote for Chris 7. You’ll get a confirmation box indicating you can vote again tomorrow

Written by: Matt Hetrick

#MEETSTEVENS Andrew Wilke Director of CDL Training Andrew joined Stevens Transport in July of 2018. He is recognized for his willingness to help and positive influence within the workplace. Andrew is a leader you can depend on, and it shows in his efforts to remain available and punctual to his team and many other departments as well. When we asked Andrew what motivates him to push for success, he explained “Having a successful CDL program gives the company an opportunity in adding new life to the already established and successful driving force and enriches our students lives with training that gives them the ability to build a career within the organization. The feeling that you get in knowing you played a part in that success is unmeasurable.” Andrew also shared some helpful advice for our new employees, “Each role is vital to the team’s success, and if you work hard, you will be recognized for your efforts.”

Andrew is married and has three children. Outside of work, he enjoys yard work and being active in his children sports and band activities.

Chelsea Jenkins Driver Recruiter Chelsea joined Stevens Transport in April of 2018. She is recognized for her hard work and determination. Chelsea continues to show us that she is focused and ready to take on the inevitable. We applaud her efforts and salute her on quest for success! When we asked Chelsea what she enjoys most about her role and what keeps her motivated, she explained “I enjoy being a helping hand in giving others the opportunity to better themselves, and improve the life of their families. My family keeps me motivated to be successful. I am who I am for them. I try to be the best role model I can be for my children.”

Chelsea also shared some helpful advice for our new employees, “When you leave for the day don’t take work home with you. This will help you rest and wake up refreshed and ready take on the next challenge.” Chelsea is getting married this November and has 2 beautiful children. Outside of work, she enjoys trying new restaurants and watching Netflix’s.

Robin Treece Office/Billing Manager Robin Treece joined Paragon Leasing in March of 2001. She is recognized for her attention to detail and team player capabilities. Robin is a noteworthy team player that helps many departments within Paragon stay on track to meet the company’s goals. Her level of attentiveness goes unmatched and is a major factor in the advancement of others. When we asked Robin what she enjoys most about her role and what keeps her motivated, she explained “I work for a great family-oriented company! I enjoy working with dedicated people and doing what I love to do. Just being able to give my team the knowledge that they need to succeed with their own goals gives me so much pride.” Robin also shared some helpful advice for our new employees, “Learn as much as possible about all areas of your department so you can become a leader and a great member of the team!” Robin is a proud mom 2! Outside of work, she enjoys country concerts, sport venues, movies, and spending time with family and friends.

#MEETSTEVENS articles written by: Cher Torres

#MEETSTEVENS Benita Bowser Benefits Coordinator Benita joined Stevens Transport in January of 2018. She is recognized for her flexibility and optimistic approach. Benita works hard to ensure deadlines are met and keeps an open mindset when challenges occur. We appreciate her ability to be adaptable and efficient as priorities shift. When we asked Benita what she enjoys most about her role and what keeps her motivated, she explained “I enjoy educating others on the coverage options we offer. Just knowing that I have helped so many get to the point, where they are confident in their selections makes me happy and motivates me.” Benita also shared some helpful advice for our new employees, “Take good notes. There are so many moving pieces in the beginning and having something you can easily refer back to will come in handy. Use those notes as your roadmap to success.”

Douglas Torres Breakdown Coordinator Douglas joined Paragon Leasing in February of 2012. He is recognized for his hard work and dedication. Douglas is timely and responsive to the needs of our drivers. He is quick on his feet and works hard to find the appropriate solution in times of crisis. When we asked Douglas, what continues to motivate him throughout the years, he explained “I always try to exceed my expectations, and I don’t set my expectations low. I set them at an alltime high and work hard to surpass them. Sometimes, it takes a little longer than I expect. But, the reward is worthwhile”. Douglas also shared some helpful advice for our new employees, “Believe in yourself. Don’t ever sell yourself short. Set goals for yourself and keep track of your progress. If others can see that you are in confident in your abilities, they have no choice but to follow suit.” Outside of work, he enjoys staying fit, playing pick-up football, and spending time with family and friends.

Tracy Crite Florida Office Manager Tracy joined Stevens TL in June of 2017. She is recognized for her willpower and perseverance within the workplace. Tracy is passionate about her work, and it shows in her ability to “make things happen.” She is a go-getter and excels well under pressure. We appreciate Tracy’s efforts to remain focused and unstoppable as she reaches new heights. When we asked Tracy what she enjoys most about her role, she explained “I enjoy being able to work independently at something that I love to do. I love the daily challenge my role brings- it sharpens my skills and helps me stay proactive.” Tracy also shared some helpful advice for our new employees, “Smile, don’t be afraid to ask questions, hard work does not go unnoticed.” Outside of work, she enjoys movie nights and football.

#MEETSTEVENS articles written by: Cher Torres

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION

Transport

John Gray - MEAT TEAM (LEAD) - 5 Years

Jorge Rodriguez - TRUCK BODY- 9 Years

Carla Hatter - DRVR QUALIFICATIONS - 5 Years

Josh Hall - TRUCK - 7 Years

Keith Davis - OPERATIONS SAFETY - 26 Years

Jackson Burchfield - DRIVER TRAINER - 5 Years

Brian Dixon - ROAD RESCUE - 7 Years

Shawna Askins - ACCOUNTING - 20 Years

Mickey Woodruff - MEAT TEAM - 5 Years

Randy Foster - TRAILER BODY - 7 Years

Michelle Gilbert - CLMS/INS (LEAD) - 19 Years

Jamey Palmer - CUSTOMER SERVICES - 5 Years

Jose Rivera - TRUCK - 7 Years

Mike Schneider - MEAT TEAM - 12 Years Blake Crowder - DRIVER TRAINING - 7 Years

Paragon

Red Sanderson - DRVR MANAGEMENT - 7 Years

Terry Shiplett - ROAD RESCUE (LEAD) - 17 Years

Esme Noriega - DRIVER RECRUITING - 7 Years

Art Blacketer - TRUCK BODY (LEAD) - 17 Years

Mike Mistishen - FUEL (LEAD) - 6 Years

Marta Croom - ROAD RESCUE - 16 Years

Shalonda Lacy - DRIVER RECRUITING - 6 Years

Greg Norman - YARD / SECURITY - 12 Years

Sonya McAvey - DED OPERATIONS - 6 Years

Brandon Woods - TRUCK (LEAD) - 10 Years

Tim Stefaniak - MEAT TEAM (LEAD) - 6 Years

Javier Lopez - TRUCK BODY - 10 Years

David Lamphier - NIGHT DISPATCH - 6 Years

Ferid Sakanovic - TRUCK BODY - 9 Years

Manuel Gomez - ALLIANCE - 7 Years Jeff Blue - TRUCK - 5 Years

Highlighting 5 years or more of service