Team Matters Winter 2022

Team Matters Winter 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 • W I N T E R 2 0 2 2

SUCCESSFUL YEAR: RECORDS SET IN 2021 P2 'BEST COMPANY I'VE EVER WORKED FOR': FUL ASSOCIATE SHARES REFERRAL SUCCESS P5 RECORDDONATION: SEE HOW MUCHWE GAVE THROUGH AVERITT CARES FOR KIDS P8



FOCUSING ON THE NEXT 50

We're excited to continue themomentumwe've built over the last five decades and providemore growth opportunities for our team. P3

IN PRIME POSITION FOR THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS For 50-plus years, we’ve stayed focused on doing things the right way so we can secure our future together.

Your commitment to excellence helped us celebrate our 50th anniversary in an outstanding way, with record Profit Sharing and performance. Now that we’ve celebrated an important

team milestone, the question becomes, “What’s next?” The answer is that we continue to focus on delivering innovative and creative services. We deliver those services safely. And we focus P2

TEAM NOTES From Gary Sasser

RECORD PERFORMANCE IN 2021

Your Efforts Make It Possible!

Your commitment to excellence made 2021 a year to remember as we celebrated 50 years together! In the first three quarters, we were able to deliver our best quarterly Profit Sharing contributions – through the end of the third quarter, our yearly Profit Sharing contribution rate was a record 6.749%! We also produced three quarterly operating ratio records! We want to thank you for making successes like these possible.

MORE 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

3605

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OUR DRIVING CONCERN IS SAFETY

Drivers earned safety awards

Quest for Quality awards

15% 16%

43 2800+

fewer preventable accidents than 2020

Promotions to leadership

Calls from Gary to new associates and in honor of service awards, transfers and promotions

fewer workplace injury claims than 2020

527 561 881

100+ 900+

Truckload drivers transferred to LTL, Dedicated

new sleeper cabs

new daycabs

associates earned referral rewards

new dry van trailers

FROM GARY SASSER PG. 1 - on helping others in all we do. As we do those things, we also have the best plan in the industry to help springboard us into the next 50 years and beyond. That plan includes continuing to invest in our infrastructure and having the best facilities and best equipment. It also includes listening to

our customers, and knowing the kinds of services they need so we can build strong partnerships for the long haul. Doing that will help us build density and bring in more bills throughout our network. And because Our Driving Force Is People, we’ll continue to focus on hiring the best associates. Your help is

very important in that goal, because you know People Like You who would be a great fit for our team and help us remain a transportation leader. The last year was just a glimpse at what’s possible when we work together toward a common goal. I’m more excited and energized than ever about our future. Because we have the best

people, the best service and the best plan, I know we’ll rise to the challenge. We’ll be ready for what’s next.

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

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Moving forward means continuing with what has helped us grow Focusing On The Next 50

For over 50 years, helping our customers succeed through a strong, connected network of innovative services has fueled our vision for growth. That’s what the Power of One is all about – a single resource that can handle whatever logistical or transportation needs our customers might have. As our customers’ needs have grown, so have we – adding new services and capabilities along the way. It’s made us a stronger provider and given us the ability to be a true one-stop solution for our customers. It has also benefited our associates through career growth, equipment with state-of- the-art safety technology, and record Profit Sharing. As we look forward to what the next 50 years hold, we’re continuing to leverage our strengths and expand our offerings to move more shipments In and Out of the South. 3 + 2 = THE POWER OF ONE Up until now, we’ve worked with customers through three distinct service units: LTL, Truckload and Supply Chain Solutions. Heading toward the next mile marker on our team’s journey, we’ve expanded with two service units to complement the other three, all with the goal of building density. Distribution and Fulfillment is one of the fastest growing services in the global economy. We’ve built a strong track record for providing warehousing, PortSide and distribution services for customers, and that will continue with this new service unit. Integrated Services includes international, rail, expedited and other specialized services. None of our competitors can offer the variety of solutions our team can. In addition, Supply Chain Solutions is now known as Dedicated, which better reflects the strong relationships we build serving as our customers’ private fleet.

“Our team is positioned to continue building on the strong year we had in 2021,” says Barry Blakely, our executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Forward movement requires forward thinking, and these developments of additional service units further enhance our standing as the provider of choice for our customers. We’re excited about the growth this means for our team and the opportunities it provides for our associates.” THE ROAD AHE AD To keep driving down the road of success, we’re staying focused on the future. That means reinvesting in our associates, enhancing our facilities, and steadily growing in our footprint. “We have a strong network in the South that is built on a five-decade tradition of service. The best way for our team to grow is to improve density,” says Barry. “That means expanding in growing markets, thoughtfully planning for new equipment, and hiring, training and retaining the best people. That’s why our referral program, People Like You, is so important.” Of course, there will always be challenges and obstacles. We have no control over global pandemics, equipment shortages or fuel prices. What we can do is learn from what has helped us over our 50-year history and apply those lessons to the future. “There hasn’t been a more exciting time to be an associate at Averitt Express,” says Barry. “We’re positioned to do great things in 2022 and beyond. By working together, focusing on the basics and looking for ways to improve every day, there’s no limit to what we can do.” T m

TRUCKLOAD

DED I CATED

D I STR I BUT I ON & FULF I LLMENT

I NTEGRATED

LTL

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Distribution And Fulfillment Services Help Us Continue To Deliver Excellence NAVIGATING SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES Supply chain delays and backlogs of freight at the ports have recently been prime-time topics in the news. In the midst of those challenges, our team has been using creative and innovative solutions to continue delivering outstanding service. Some examples of that include our solutions for customers like Vanity Fair, AOSS Medical and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. For Vanity Fair, we’re diverting container ships from the West Coast to Houston, where we have an important strategic PortSide facility. For AOSS Medical, we’re moving freight from the West Coast by rail to our Dallas facility, where it can then be delivered by our driving force. And for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, we’re avoiding the backlog at the Port of Savannah by diverting freight to the Port of Charleston. According to ED SMITH, our director of Distribution & Fulfillment, one key to these solutions running smoothly is our existing distribution and fulfillment infrastructure. That includes 20-plus enclosed, temperature- controlled facilities with a total of more than 2 million square feet. “Our long-term planning for distribution and fulfillment has provided

Our distribution and fulfillment centers -- like our Charlotte facility pictured here -- play an important role in helping us deliver unique solutions that avoid the backlog of freight at the ports.

benefits to our customers,” Ed explains. “Because of our warehousing facilities, we’re already able to handle some of this. Our team was forward-thinking about the global supply chain, and we’ve been providing distribution and fulfillment services for several years. If we didn’t have the infrastructure in place already, it would have been a different story.” Our commitment to unique solutions is something that Ed says our customers appreciate. “Every one of them has been impressed with the ability and infrastructure we have in place to support their needs,” he says. We’re meeting the challenges of the current supply chain situation like we do when any challenge comes our way – with creative solutions, a strong plan and the best people to make it happen. Because of your commitment to excellence, we’re able to continue to move more freight In And Out Of The South each day! T m

Our 2022 Children’s Art Calendar contained some incorrect information regarding one of the contest winners. ART CALENDAR CORRECTION

Our June winner was Phoebe Crawford, who is the granddaughter of Jackson TN associate BILL CRAWFORD. We

apologize for the error, and we thank you for sharing your drawing talents with our team!

Larry Mason

VP Operations CORPORATE Frontline Leader PETCO

Travis Webster

Regional VP Operations REGION 5 Regional VP Operations REGION 4

Charles Goad

Knoxville

NEW LEADERS

Kenneth Herndon Vernon Hines Timothy Hooker Don Jenkinson Allen Mayles Tony Presley Ronald Rayle Selina Ross Ronald Shane Becky Simmons Clifford Smith Phillip Spence Sharon Wallace Jimmy Wanamaker Paula Witherspoon

Tifton

Jennifer McKnight

Jason Whitaker

Augusta Asheville Carlstar Mercedes

Quartez Alphonse

Frontline Leader PODS

Louis Moreno

Service Center Director CORPUS CHRISTI Site Manager COASTAL LOGISTICS GROUP

Anthony Williams Frontline Leader COSTCO Brandon Williams Service Center Director CHARLOTTE RETIREES Thank you for your service to our team! Michael Adams Chattanooga Donna Alexander Mercedes David Byrd Dothan Thomas Byrd Mercedes David Clark Cincinnati Glen Goad Nashville

Kevin Berry Site Manager GOODMAN MFG. Rodney Brockwell Director Truckload Sales CORPORATE Gary Cochrane Service Center Director ASHEVILLE Michael Dozier Frontline Leader TIFTON Paul Hale

Kara Peace

Atlanta West Greensboro Corporate Nashville Corporate Cincinnati Fayetteville Chattanooga

Joseph Randolph Site Manager MERCEDES Tamera Shields Transportation Specialist ORLANDO Christopher Shook Frontline Leader CHARLOTTE Rodney Tate Operations Leader CHARLOTTE Michael Tillery Frontline Leader CARLSTAR

Frontline Leader CRACKER BARREL Frontline Leader TRI-CITIES Frontline Leader ATLANTA EAST

Jeffrey Hall

Nissan

Cleties Mack

Charlotte

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

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'THE BEST COMPANY I’VE EVER WORKED FOR'

Shuttle Driver Grows Our Team

Since joining the Atlanta West team in 2019, shuttle driver GECOBA TALLEY has helped us hire three associates for a variety of positions, beginning with Atlanta West Truckload driver KARL BISHOP . Gecoba and Karl met in driving school and stayed connected as they began their careers. “All that time, I kept telling Karl about Averitt, how great things are here,” says Gecoba. “When the time came that he was able to join our team, he reached out to me and our recruiting team, and he liked what he saw. Next thing you know, he’s wearing the uniform.” Gecoba has continued to help us find new teammates, and not just where he works in the Atlanta Metro area. He has also referred STEVE CHAVEZ and YULIANA ORDONEZ, a husband-and-wife shuttle team in Greensboro. Steve and Yuliana are friends of Gecoba’s who joined Averitt because they were looking for an opportunity to drive together as a team. Gecoba let them know about our comprehensive benefits and our positive, unique culture. They were sold. There are great opportunities throughout the Averitt team, and no one knows our culture like you. And you can earn referral rewards when you help people you know fill positions across our network!

Atlanta West shuttle driver GECOBA TALLEY says “Averitt by far has been the best company” he’s ever worked for, and that ’s why he’s very active in referring People Like You.

“Anytime the opportunity arises, I always try to help people out,” says Gecoba. “People want to know a good company, and I always tell them this is what they’re looking for. Averitt by far has been the best company I’ve ever worked for. They treat their people right. Averitt has always given me great opportunities, and I’m just grateful.” Gecoba, thank you for all you do to drive our team to success each day and into the years to come. Your effort to help us find People Like You strengthens our whole team. Congrats on your referrals, and keep up the great work! T m

• View all open positions with our team • Learn about pay, benefits, charitable giving and unique culture • Listen to podcasts for drivers about opportunities at Averitt Do you know someone who would look great in Averitt Red? Check out AverittCareers.com for open positions that you would like to fill with People Like You. OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND ON AVERITTCAREERS.COM

• Live chat with a recruiter • Check out Averitt on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube • Frequently asked questions about our recruiting process T m

All drivers must use hands-free mobile devices. Use your head. not your hands.

Learn more at InsideAveritt.com/distracteddriving

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CELEBRATING OUR TEAM UP COMMUNITY SERVICE

WRAPPING UP 2021, LOOKING AHEAD TO 2022

As we reflect on the 2021 Team Up Community Challenge, you don’t have to look far to find everyday heroes. Throughout the year, teams from all across our network have exemplified the spirit of our Averitt family as we joined hands to serve our local communities. Thanks for showing our commitment to help others succeed through your local community involvement, making a difference in each of our hometowns.

Every act of community service throughout the Team Up Community Challenge resulted in a matching contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids. Because of that, your participation in this challenge was part of the $500,000 company match to Averitt Cares for Kids, directly impacting our team’s year-end contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are humbled by another million-dollar milestone, and we’re proud of our team’s accomplishments.

We’re still tallying the results from your outstanding community service efforts in 2021, so we’ll be back in the February edition of Team Matters with a full breakdown of our team’s achievements. In the meantime, remember that the Team Up Community Challenge is a year-round event, so it’s never too early to start giving back in 2022. 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

OVER 20 TEAM BY THE NUMBERS

NEW WAY TO REQUEST PTO

37,868 15,914

1,403 16%

COMBINED YEARS OF SERVICE

MyPortal Is Your New Home For Paid Time Off Requests

MEMBERS

If you haven’t already logged in to MyPortal, it’s very important that you get started on our associate login system. That’s because MyPortal recently became the new source for you to request paid time off. Our team has created a video that can help walk you through the process of how to request PTO. And remember, MyPortal is also your home for viewing your paystubs, updating your contact information and much more! Learn more at InsideAveritt.com/MyPortal.

COMBINED YEARS OF SAFE DRIVING

OF TOTAL ASSOCIATES

25 YEARS Mark Belk Douglas Lawrence

15 YEARS Garry Cagle David Coleman Brandon Crawford Alan Swift Pablo Vasquez

Gerardo Palacios Laredo For a list of January 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 NOVEMBER For a complete list of Safety Award winners, including five- and 10-year recipients, visit InsideAveritt.com.

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 January 2002: Howard Butcher Memphis Fernando Garcia Dallas Antonio Garfias Dallas Cody Gulley Dallas William Kirkley Memphis Bobby Martin Decatur

Opelika

Decatur

Atlanta West Atlanta East Knoxville Richmond

Atlanta West Dothan Mercedes Laredo

Paul Martin Roy Tolley Timothy Tracy

20 YEARS Donnie Bowles Jr. Kenneth Culbertson Aaron Parker

Bowling Green Shreveport

Knoxville

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

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LOOKING FORWARD AND LOOKING OUR BEST – TOGETHER

Visit InsideAveritt.com/Uniforms to see what's next for our team as we move forward

to the future with professionalism

What’s Next For 2022 Uniformity

With 50 years in the rearview, we remember the pride and professionalism that has defined our team since 1971, and it shows when we wear our Averitt uniform. Uniformity represents more than a brand. It symbolizes a standard of excellence. HELPING OTHERS IN NEED

The 2022 edition of the Uniformity catalog continues to help our entire team maintain and exceed that standard. You’ll find all your favorite Averitt gear, as well as tips on how to help you maintain and care for your uniforms, so stains don’t have to stop you from looking your professional best. In addition to the standard Averitt Red, we’re excited to add our Mercedes and On Tour Logistics crew to the Uniformity program! Our uniforms are a symbol of the spirit that drives us. But they’re only one of the things that set us apart. Because teamwork – genuine, “I’ve got your back” teamwork – has been a part of the Averitt culture since day one. WAYS TO SAVE Place your Uniformity orders by March 31 to receive 20% off your order. Associates eligible for a uniform allotment also have a chance to win gift cards for early orders!

Let Your Averitt Uniform Be Of Further Service When uniform-eligible associates participate in our exchange program, you’re building on our professional image, and you’re helping others in need! That’s because we team up with Matthew 25 Ministries to provide gently used clothing to people living in disadvantaged places across the world. Here’s how you can help: Step 1: Complete the form on InsideAveritt.com/UniformExchange Step 2: Send back five used uniform shirts by truck mail to “CSC – Attention: Marketing and Communications” Step 3: Receive a new shirt! Visit InsideAveritt.com/UniformExchange to learn more, and thanks for helping us make a difference in the lives of others. T m

• Spend it by Feb. 28 and be entered to WIN a $250 gift card. • Spend it by March 31 and be entered to WIN a $100 gift card. Order online at InsideAveritt.com/uniforms or call CINTAS at 1-800-211-0314 to place your order. T m

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

LINARES AGOSTO – Orlando “Linares was so pleasant and hardworking. He just went above and beyond what other drivers would have done. He was in and out so quickly, and he made sure every scrap of debris was picked up. In this day and age, Linares was a bright light in customer service! Thank you!” Joanne Duddy, Village Farms LP – Lake Mary, FL FREDERICK ARCENEAUX – Houston “Frederick demonstrated excellent customer service, safe driving, professionalism, and so much more. He is a credit to Averitt Express and to the transportation industry. Thank you!” Lynne Meiers and Kelly Morris, Longoria Collection – Houston, TX

DON HALL – Dallas “Don went above and beyond his job and was very

personable. We have never had a driver like this. He was so professional and was very cautious pulling in and out of our property. Thank you for the great service, Don!” Julie Jones, Life Storage - Fort Worth, TX

CHRISTINE JENKINS – Savannah “I just wanted to reach out and let you know that Christine is doing a great job with our business. She is on top of everything since she’s been working with us, and everything has been running smoothly. Thanks!” Bob Frost, Harrington Moore Inc. – Newburyport, MA

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RECORD DONATION Averitt Presents 2021 Contribution to St. Jude

For our 50th year, our teamwas honored to present our 2021 contribution of $1,050,001 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which sets a record for our largest donation. It also marks the third consecutive year we’ve given at least $1,000,000 to St. Jude. This major milestone is made possible by your weekly contributions to Averitt Cares for Kids, as well as a $500,000 company match that came from recognition of associate milestones and anniversaries, and in honor of your participation in the annual Team Up Community Challenge.

The extra $50,000 in this year’s gift is one of the ways we’re recognizing our 50th year. And as we’ve done for several years, the extra $1 represents The Power of One . “Our team is truly humbled by this accomplishment, and I’m proud to be part of Averitt Cares for Kids,” says GARY SASSER. “This special charity is all about teamwork. The sky’s the limit for what we can achieve for others

through The Power of One when we all work together.” There are a million reasons to become a member of Averitt Cares for Kids, and every dollar helps us give hope. If you’re ready to start giving one dollar a week, sign up at InsideAveritt.com/AverittCares. Already a member? We would love to hear about what this charity means to you at [email protected]. T m

Averitt cares for kids: by the numbers

$12 MILLION+ Total donations by ACFK to different charities since 1987

$1,050,001 Donated by ACFK to St. Jude in 2021

95%

$500,000 Company match for ACFK



 



Percentage of associates who are members of ACFK

AVERITT AMBASSADOR TEAM We value our retired associates’ past contributions to our team because they have helped build our bright future. The Ambassador Team is a special group of retired

150+ Members Strong And Growing

Ambassadors are invited to participate in nearby Team Up Community Challenge activities, stay connected by working a flexible schedule as needed as a Mentor, and earn referral rewards through our Team Builder referral program. We look forward to more opportunities on the horizon for this team.

AMBASSADOR TEAM STATS

$1 weekly contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids = over $7,000 per year 150+ Ambassadors 520 years of combined service Average years of service = 18 years

associates who wish to remain connected to our unique culture of giving back by continuing their membership to Averitt Cares for Kids. Today there are more than 150 Averitt Ambassadors who are part of this team, and whose “hats” proudly hang on the display at the corporate office.

BECOME AN AVER I T T AMBASSADOR If you are a retired teammate who would like to become a member of the Averitt Ambassador Team by rejoining Averitt Cares for Kids, contact DUSTY BARROW in Marketing and Communications at [email protected] to learn more.

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

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