For many of those who spend their day behind the wheel, the driver lifestyle becomes ingrained. The freedom that driving as well as the variety that each day brings creates dedication to the job. At RelaDyne, we have over 700 drivers, who take up almost half of our workforce. Their dedication to the job is the ultimate support of our national distribution network that expands as far wide as New York to New Mexico.
Many of our drivers have found lifelong careers in their position. One such driver, located at our Chicago branch, has evolved in his career from driver, to dispatch supervisor, and now RelaDyne’s first Driver Manager. After over 30 years as a commercial driver, fighting the Chicago metropolitan area traffic pulling just about any and every trailer imaginable, he’s slipped out from behind the wheel. He is now directly involved in the hiring, training, and safety of all driver positions in the region.
“My fascination for trucks came at a very young age. My father would come home for lunch with his truck from time to time and I would just climb up in the cab and pretend I was a driver,” he said. “I spent many summer days riding around in the truck with him, shifting the gears from the passenger seat.”
His early interest in trucks led him to a lifelong driving career that has equipped him with great knowledge and perspective making him the perfect guy to work with the drivers every day in his new supervisory and supportive role.
“We felt it important to have someone who has actual experience with the functions of our Driver team because the Driver Manager position is very interactive with the Drivers,” said RelaDyne Chicago Commercial Manager. “The position also required experience working within different Departments and understanding how to coordinate with all involved to achieve a common goal.”
With the promotion from within, the Chicago Driver Manager has unique insight into the team of drivers and has proven himself to be perfect for the job.
“Not only can he ‘talk the talk’ he has ‘walked the walk’ at RelaDyne,” said RelaDyne Chicago General Manager. “To have someone who can handle the functions of the Driver Manager position has actual hands-on experience doing the required work is a critical piece for the Driver Manager position to succeed.”
As the Chicago Driver Manager approaches his four-year anniversary with RelaDyne, he reflects on his journey to where he is now, “I told [them] that I was looking for the last job of my life. A place I could retire at. [They] gave me a good feeling that I could grow with the company.”
At RelaDyne, we appreciate our drivers and strive to recognize and help them reach their potential in their careers. After all, without our drivers, we would have no way to deliver the products we sell and our customers would have no product to keep their businesses functioning.
Happy Driver Appreciation Week to all the drivers dedicated to the long hours, unpredictable traffic, and ‘go-go’ day to day, especially our own here at RelaDyne!
