Team Matters Spring 2022

Team Matters Spring 2022

C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters I N F O R M I N G O U R A S S O C I A T E S A B O U T A L L T H I N G S A V E R I T T • S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

PJS FORPJ: TEXAS TEAMS COMBINE TO DONATE 1,600+ PAIRS OF PJS P2 OPPORTUNITIES TOGROW: WAREHOUSE SITE MANAGER STARTED AS CITY DRIVER P4 PEOPLE LIKE YOU: ON TOUR LOGISTICS DRIVER TOUTS BENEFITS OF AVERITT P5

CULTURE OF CAREER GROWTH

We're proud to offer opportunities for career growth, because that helps ensure our culture stays strong for the future. One unique opportunity we offer is our Leadership Development Program. Learnmore about the programon P2

REFERRALS HELP US MOVE FORWARD For more than 50 years, our focus has been on helping people. Our Winner’s Circle says it all – Our Customers, Our Associates, Our Future.

Because we focus on delivering outstanding service to our customers, and because we have a culture of doing the right thing for our associates, we’re able to move toward a bright future. One of the most

important ways we can continue to move forward is People Like You referrals. Simply put, referrals are the lifeblood of our future. They help us pass on our unique culture to the next generation. Because after all, we’re in the people P2

TEAM NOTES From Gary Sasser

Texas Teams Up To Give Back To Kids Of St. Jude PJS FOR PJ PUSHES THE LIMITS OF HOPE As our team’s heart to serve our community grows, so does our impact through the Team Up Community Challenge. The same is true for annual Texas Team Up project “PJs for PJ,” a charity founded by 10-year-old cancer survivor PJ Trojanowski of the Waco, Texas, area. PJ is a former St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient who received treatment for pediatric kidney cancer. Today PJ is healthy and cancer-free, and she’s on a mission to help other children and give back to the one-of-a-kind hospital that gave her a second chance to live. PJ’s charity donates pajamas to St. Jude to help kids who are facing the difficult circumstances she once encountered. It’s a small touch that shows support and gives comfort and encouragement to patients and families admitted into St. Jude’s care. Because of our team’s heartfelt support for the wonderful work of St. Jude, our Texas teammates and many others were proud to lock arms with PJ and join her cause. As part of the 2021 Team Up Community Challenge, Region 6 set out to donate 1,000 pajamas in 2021, exceeding their 2020 accomplishment of 879 donations. Leadership Development Opportunities Open In Regions 3 & 5

PJ Trojanowski shows off the donation of pajamas that our Texas teams combined to give as part of our Team Up Community Challenge.

As Team Up 2021 picked up speed, teams throughout Texas and other parts of the Southwest collectively sent more than 1,600 pajamas to our Waco service center, far surpassing the 2021 goal and nearly doubling the amount donated in 2020. “What makes me proud is how our team continues to find ways to give back more,” says CALVIN RACKLEY of our regional leadership. “Ninety-six percent of our associates are already giving back through Averitt Cares for Kids, and to see a Team Up event like this take off is humbling. It’s amazing to witness a small project grow to make such a positive difference in the lives of more than 1,600 kids. I’m so proud of our team, and I’m looking forward to the future of this very special charity.” We want to recognize Region 6 and everyone across our team who participated in PJs for PJ and in the 2021 Team Up Community Challenge. Your efforts show the heart of Averitt and express our teamwork, generous spirit, and unique culture of giving back. The Team Up Community Challenge is a year-round event, so it’s never too early to start giving back for 2022. Please email your project photos and updates to [email protected] . Your accomplishments through Team Up inspire us all to participate, and every act of community service results in a matching contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids! T m

“We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to our associates,” says Barry. “Maintaining our culture and developing leaders are critical factors in our team’s continued success.” RE ADY TO GROW? Currently, we have opportunities in this program in Region 3 (at either Birmingham or Jackson MS) and Region 5 (at either Charlotte or Greensboro), with plans to offer it in other regions in the future. If you’re interested in being considered for the Leadership Development program, talk to your local leadership. T m

new Truckload model that offers more home time during the week. It’s all about helping our customers and our associates succeed, and building on our atmosphere that has made so many associates choose Averitt as their career home. So I encourage you to spread the word successful associates then function in a support role for regional leadership until they are selected for an open leadership position. increasing revenue to recruiting and referring quality associates to join our team.” HOW I T WORKS The Leadership Development program is designed for associates with at least two years of transportation experience, who are willing to relocate within their region, and are capable of working variable hours. After completing the six-month frontline leader training program,

FROM GARY SASSER PG. 1- business. That’s why we’re asking for your continued help in reaching out to friends and family you know would be a good fit for our team. We’re growing, and we have many open positions throughout our network that are great opportunities for Our team has built a strong track record for promoting from within. There are countless stories across our network about associates who started out on the dock or driving over the road and have moved into leadership positions, including Service Center directors and regional leadership. One secret to that success is our Leadership Development program , which allows us to build bench strength by preparing associates

People Like You. From LTL to Truckload, to Dedicated, Distribution and Warehousing, and everything in between, there are career opportunities for everyone. And because creativity and innovation are a win-win for our associates and our customers, we’ve recently introduced an innovative says BARRY BLAKELY of our executive leadership. “As our team continues to grow, it becomes even more important to have the best leaders waiting in the wings when the opportunity arises. Being prepared ahead of time gives us a distinct advantage in everything from even when a leadership position isn’t open yet. “For more than 50 years, we have remained focused on the future. And that is what the Leadership Development program is all about,”

about the opportunities that are available at Averitt. People Like You referrals help us succeed now, and they’ll help us move toward a bright future together!

C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters

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DEDICATED TO DELIVERING SOLUTIONS

Dedicated Services Show The Power Of One One of the many unique solutions our team offers is Dedicated services. Through this opportunity, we become the private fleet for businesses such as Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Mercedes, Costco and many more. With this arrangement, we’re able to do what we do best – deliver outstanding service – while allowing our customers to focus on what they do best. Because of our commitment to excellence, our Dedicated group has experienced great growth through the years, and we now have 46 customers operating at 65 total locations. “The vast majority of our customer relationships are on their third-plus term with us,” says DAN SINGER of our Dedicated leadership. “Some of them are on their sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth. We’ve been doing business with Cracker Barrel Old Country Story since 2001, with Mercedes since 1997, and with DRiV since 2004. That shows the strength of our relationships. Once we get a customer, we’re with them for a very long time.” There are many examples of how we’ve earned the trust of our customers. • Costco – we began in 2010 with about 10 drivers in West Palm Beach, Fla., and we’ve grown to more than 150 associates in West Palm Beach and College Park, Ga. One of the best ways we can grow and secure our future is by continuing to build density within our network, and by providing even more flexibility for our customers and our own operations. That’s why we’re excited to let you know about a newmodel for our Truckload operation, one where we can strategically place drivers in position to get home more often. INNOVATIVE NEW TRUCKLOAD POSITION Hourly Pay And The Potential For Daily Home Time

Our Cracker Barrel Old Country Store team is a great example of The Power of One. We started by delivering LTL service, and now we also provide Dedicated, Truckload and PortSide.

• Boise Cascade – our partnership began with three tractors in Greensboro, N.C., and now features about 65 tractors over six locations • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store – we started by delivering LTL services, and now we’re its only dedicated retail carrier. Additionally, we continue to offer LTL, as well as Truckload and PortSide Dan says the service we provide through Dedicated are a true example of The Power of One. “Dedicated naturally aligns well with our other service offerings,” he explains. “Sometimes, our other services offerings will bring Dedicated in. That happened with Mercedes. We did Truckload with Mercedes first, then Dedicated became a great opportunity. And on the flip side, our Dedicated team can listen to our customers and find out what their needs are. That allows us to say, ‘Hey, we also offer this service to solve these challenges that you’re facing.’” Dan says that sometimes, a customer might look for a cheaper option, but soon finds out that partnering with Averitt is the best way to go. “We’ve never lost a Dedicated customer because of service,” Dan says. “In fact, many have come back after they tried other carriers. It’s common for customers who leave based on price to come back because they’re not getting the service they need.” The outstanding service you and your fellow associates provide makes successes like these possible. Thank you for your commitment to excellence that has earned our customers’ trust for many years! T m

With this new position, drivers receive hourly pay, as well as the ability to get home daily, or at least several days during the week. We’ve rolled out this model in Lexington KY, and we plan to introduce it at several other locations within our network. opportunity to introduce innovative and creative ways to deliver outstanding service to our customers. And we’re

confident that these positions will provide another reason to make a career with the Averitt team! You can see when these and other openings become available by visiting InsideAveritt.com/Jobs or calling the Job Hotline at 800-991-1971 . Available positions are updated on Mondays and Thursdays. T m

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Charlotte Warehouse Site Manager Started As A City Driver When Charlotte warehouse site manager JAMES EVANS interviews potential teammates, he doesn’t have to look far for an example of our commitment to career-growth opportunities. EXPERIENCING OUR CULTURE FIRSTHAND That’s because James started his Averitt career about 27 years ago as a city driver. He spent seven years in that role until he was promoted to frontline leader, a position he served in until 2021. Last year, James became a frontline leader for our Charlotte warehouse, and earlier this year he was promoted to site manager. James’ passion for wanting to grow in his career came from his experience of helping lead groups in overseas mission trips. “I like working with people,” James explains. “We had big teams go on these mission trips, and we went through a training process to get them ready for the culture we were going into. I really enjoyed that, so I wanted to do the same thing in my professional career.” While James was a frontline leader at our Charlotte service center, he gained valuable experience by filling in at the warehouse when other leaders were away on PTO or for other reasons. So when the site manager position came open, James was eager to step right in. And now he shares his experience with others. “It’s very important for our culture that we promote from within,” he says. “There is room for advancement, and if you’re willing to advance, the sky’s the limit.” James is also thankful for our family-oriented culture. “You know that Averitt cares about you and your family and your quality

Charlotte warehouse site manager JAMES EVANS began his Averitt career as a city driver, and he's seen our culture of career-growth opportunities firsthand.

of life,” James explains. “A lot of other companies don’t. That’s important to people, and it’s something I share with people I interview.” What advice does James have for associates who want to grow in their careers? “Don’t limit yourself to what you think you can do,” he says. “Challenge yourself and be available, and don’t be timid about learning something new.” RE ADY TO GROW I N YOUR CAREER ? If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, call our Job Hotline at 800-991-1971, talk to your leadership, or visit InsideAveritt.com/Jobs to find out about local driving, leadership and other opportunities that are available. T m

Our professional image is something we’ve taken pride in for more than 50 years, and that commitment is something that lets our customers know they’re partnering with professionals. EXTRA INCENTIVE TO USE YOUR ALLOTMENT Keep Your Wardrobe Sharp, Save Money And Possibly Win A Gift Card

READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT

With 2022 in full swing, it’s a great time to use your uniform allotment of as much as $150. If you order by March 31, you can get more bang for your buck by taking advantage of our 20% discount! Also, if you use your full allotment before March 31, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card! As a reminder, it’s a good idea to have the following items on hand:

• 5 shirts and 5 pairs of pants • 2 hats • At least 1 outerwear item • A black pair of shoes and a pack of socks • 1 belt and 1 pair of gloves To use your allotment, log on to InsideAveritt.com/Uniforms . T m

No matter what comes our way in 2022 and beyond, our team is ready for what’s next, and we’ll meet it with professionalism and teamwork! If you haven’t already watched our 2022 Uniformity hype video, we encourage you to check it out – the video is a great reminder of what makes our team a great one to be part of, and how we can accomplish anything through teamwork! Watch the video at InsideAveritt.com/Uniforms .

C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters

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On Tour Logistics Driver Helps Us Grow Through People Like You Referrals On Tour Logistics driver RON KEITH has helped us grow by referring People Like You, and his key has simply been sharing his experience with others who ask about the Averitt team. TOUTING THE BENEFITS OF AVERITT “A lot of people come up to me out on the road,” says Ron, who has been with Averitt since 2015. “They see how I’m dressed and how I keep my truck, and we start talking.” One big plus Ron shares with them is our overall benefits package. “I let people know what kind of company Averitt is and what they can look forward to,” explains Ron, who served as a driver-trainer before moving over to our On Tour Logistics team. “I tell them, ‘If you want longevity, a good retirement and benefits, this is the place to be.’” Ron is also thankful for our family-oriented culture that he’s seen firsthand. “When I first started working here, my mother got leukemia,” Ron recalls. “My leader told me, ‘Take all the time you need to be with your mom.’ If you have issues that come up, you don’t get the runaround. It’s a wonderful company.”

HELP US GROW = E ARN REFERRAL REWARDS When you refer People Like You, you’re helping ensure our culture stays strong for the future. And when your referrals are hired to Averitt, you can earn $1,000 in referral rewards! To learn more about our People Like You referral program – including referral tools, a list of open positions and other resources – visit InsideAveritt.com/PeopleLikeYou . T m On Tour Logistics driver RON KEITH has found People Like You by simply sharing his experience of working with Averitt.

SHOWING THE POWER OF ONE MORE People Like You are very important for our future success, because you know others who would be a great fit for our culture. These associates earned referral rewards after their referrals were hired to the Averitt team! Associates Referring People Like You, Earning Referral Rewards

Tampa preventive maintenance associate FRANK BENNETT

Bowling Green dock associate JOSH GILLIAM

Knoxville freight clerk LIZ BISIGNANO

Orlando dock associate JOSUE HERNANDEZ

Tri-Cities transportation specialist JOHN LIVESAY

Houston preventive maintenance associate GREG MARTINEZ

Atlanta West team shuttle driver GARY MILLER

Dallas dock associate TYRONE SMITH

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Former Jackson TN Service Center Director David Baker Makes Impact With Ambassador Team ‘AVERITT IS NOT JUST A COMPANY; IT IS A FAMILY’ DAVID BAKER retired from Averitt in 2020 after 35 years, but the longtime Jackson TN service center director knew he did not want to step away from our team completely. That’s why becoming one of the first members of our Ambassador Teammade so much sense. As a member of the Ambassador Team, David is part of a special group of retired associates who choose to stay active and connected to our unique culture by continuing to contribute to Averitt Cares for Kids, participating in Team Up Community Challenge events,and taking part in other opportunities. “Even as a service center director, I had my driving credentials,” David says. “So when I retired, I offered to stay on as a city driver to help out on an as-needed basis.” During his tenure, David helped guide numerous associates and future leaders through their careers with Averitt. His track record for developing young talent made him a prime candidate to continue mentoring associates in his retirement years. As a mentor and part of our Ambassador Team, David has the unique opportunity to contribute with our local Jackson operations while also working closely alongside young associates looking to grow and further their careers at Averitt.

DAVID BAKER (right), a member of the Ambassador Team, assists dock lead ANDREW HENSON (left) at our Jackson TN Service Center.

“There have been some good folks to come through Jackson who went on to become leaders in other service centers in many different capacities,” David says. “I take pride in knowing we developed many great associates here, and I hope to continue to do so as a mentor and member of the Ambassador Team.” With his 35-plus years of experience at Averitt, David says he wants to be a sounding board for young leaders and lend advice when it is needed. “If there’s someone in the ranks who is having difficulties or needs advice, I’m glad to spend some time with them and offer any insight that might point them in the right direction.” David attributes Averitt’s culture and focus on empowering associates for his wish to remain a part of our team. “Averitt is not just a company; it is a family,” he explains. “This is my way of staying in contact with the local folks in the organization and still being a part of something special. I’ve been around it a long time. As a matter of fact, my wife and I took a trip to Gatlinburg with our church’s youth one weekend, and we stopped on our way back to visit some Averitt friends in Knoxville. Those are the kinds of relationships you’re able to build here.” Are you recently retired or thinking about retiring soon? Then stay connected by becoming part of the Ambassador Team! Visit InsideAveritt.com/AmbassadorTeam for more information. T m

Steve Jaenicke

Frontline Leader ATLANTA EAST Frontline Leader GREENSBORO

Sharon Robinson Transportation Specialist TAMPA Angela Vanegas Transportation Specialist ATLANTA WEST RETIREES Thank you for your service to our team! Pablo Acosta Harrisburg James Armstrong Knoxville Danny Coleman Nashville Terry Dale Charlotte Bryan Dudley Asheville

Benjamin Eaddy

Columbia Nashville

NEW LEADERS

Patricia Fry

Kevin Lawrence

Thomas Gordy Doc Hopkins Raymond Martin Tommy McMurtry Timothy Patch

Chattanooga

Gerard Bomer

Site Manager NASHVILLE Frontline Leader PETSMART Frontline Leader COSTCO Site Manager CHARLOTTE

Corbin

Stephen Looper

Truckload Fleet Leader CORPORATE

Micheal Brown

Cincinnati Knoxville Fort Wayne Owensboro Knoxville Charlotte Greenville Atlanta West

David Martinez Frontline Leader DALLAS Conner McBroom Specialized Services Leader CORPORATE Emanuel Pena Truckload Fleet Leader CORPORATE Robert Provin Site Manager DALLAS

Demetrius Calhoun

James Reid Michael Story Mike Sutton

Auria Solutions USA

James Evans

Doug Granito

Service Center Director JACKSON TN

Robert Thompson Charles Turner Lowell Williams

Dustin Haskin

Frontline Leader CRACKER BARREL

C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters

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SERVICE AWARDS

Below are the five-year milestones of associates WHO HAVE SERVED 20 YEARS OR MORE with our team. To view all available photos of our latest service awards, visit InsideAveritt.com.

Director of port & distribution sales TIM SHUSTER (left, 30 years) with vice president of corporate business development Mike Wise (right)

Vice president of corporate transportation DANNY CROOKS (left, 35 years) with president Wayne Spain (right)

Atlanta West associate PHIL FULLMER (30 years)

Corporate associate BRIAN DUDNEY (25 years)

Atlanta West associate RANDY GRAVES (25 years)

Knoxville associate SCOTT MOORE (25 years)

Corporate associate KERI SMITH (25 years)

Eastern NC Truckload associate WILLIAM WATSON (25 years)

When we go above and beyond to provide excellent service, that demonstrates The Power of One to our teammates, our customers, and our industry. These associates went the extra mile to represent Averitt with pride – and our customers said it showed! COMING THROUGH ON OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE

THE POWER OF ONE

ANDY VALENTIN – Fort Myers “Andy is always an incredibly helpful and all-around genuine guy who never ceases to deliver with a smile. We appreciate and value Andy very much. He has a great work ethic and one of the best personalities I’ve ever had the pleasure of coming across. Coming from someone who deals with deliveries daily from other trucking companies and delivery drivers, Andy is definitely the best in the business.” Jordan, Gouse's Fine Furniture – Fort Myers, FL TYLER WRIGHT – Nashville “When we were short-staffed and preparing for an impending winter storm, Tyler went the extra mile to help us receive our delivery. I cannot thank him enough for being patient and for helping me. I haven’t seen such great customer service in a long time and just wanted to recognize him for going above and beyond.” Kristen, DPW Supply – Fort Campbell, KY

SHANNON ALLEN – Mobile “Shannon is the best associate we have had the pleasure to work with. If we could request him every time, we would! He has the most positive can-do attitude, and we appreciate his work ethic. Thanks, Shannon!” Lauren, Regenative Labs – Pensacola, FL NATHEN EVANS – Decatur “I just wanted to take a moment to compliment our favorite driver, Nathen Evans. Nathen is always in a good mood, always smiling, and very professional. He deserves to be recognized for the way he represents Averitt. Thanks, Nathen!” Brian, OSCO Interiors – Decatur, AL

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RED THINKIN’ REWARDS AND THE GOLDEN RULE

Frontline Leader Uses His Hard-Earned Points To Help Others

KEN HAHN of our Dedicated teamwith Auria Solutions USA recently redeemed his Red Thinkin’ Rewards points for an item he had been eyeing for quite some time: a DeWalt table saw.

“I’ve always liked working with wood and building things. My dad was a carpenter, too,” Ken says. “I had been saving up my points for this saw for a while. It will be great to use both at home and at church.” Ken is part of a program called Golden Rule Ministries at his church. The group lends a helping hand in the community by taking on construction projects, like building handicap ramps, for those in need.

Through years of service, referring People Like You and being safe, associates like Ken are able to earn points that can be used to score everything from electronics to vacation packages. Ken says he is glad our team offers associates such a quality rewards program. “I look at the Red Thinkin’ Rewards program as an extra ‘thank you’ to associates for doing their jobs well. It allowed me to redeem my rewards for something I’ve wanted for a while without having to go out and spend the money for it,” explains Ken. You earn points for the things you do every day. To check your Red Thinkin’ Rewards balance and redeem your points, visit InsideAveritt.com/Rewards . T m

K E N H A H N

“I thought this table saw would be a great way for me to use my points to help others,” Ken says. “I am looking forward to getting it unboxed and taking it out to one of our job sites.”

Pre-trip inspections help keep you on the road. Instead of sitting beside it.

Learn more at InsideAveritt.com/pretrip

25 YEARS Jerry Butts Mark Driggers Calvin McClain Eric Nazworth 20 YEARS Robert Carrillo Joseph Fouty William Huddleston Major Jenkins

15 YEARS Don Decker Michael Donnelly Alan Guise Shawn Hill Jeffrey Peace Roy Phillips James Twyman Jeremy Ward

OV E R 2 0 T E AM We’re proud to add members to our Over 20 Team! The following associates joined our team in March 2022: Nick Gulas Chattanooga Edward Purvis Greensboro Daniel Raffety Atlanta West Paul Henry Salas San Antonio Earl Washington Shreveport For a list of March milestone service awards, including the newest members of our Over 20 Team, visit InsideAveritt.com.

S A F E T Y AWA R D S JANUARY

Orlando Dallas Memphis Jacksonville Chicago Atlanta West Cracker Barrel

Kasai North America

Charlotte Little Rock

For a complete list of Safety Award winners, including five- and 10-year recipients, visit InsideAveritt.com. 35 YEARS TommyHayes Nashville 30 YEARS Scott Allen Bowling Green Scott Overcash Charlotte

Dallas

Atlanta West Knoxville Charlotte

Raleigh

Houston

C O M M U N I T Y C H A L L E N G E matters

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