BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--They happen frequently, and they never get old.
It’s time for another Boyd Transportation Million Mile celebration. Fifty-five-year-old Johnnie Cobb was the most recent recipient with a celebration in his honor, on May 8. On hand at Boyd’s Clayton facility were Boyd staff members, fellow drivers, friends and Cobb’s family – wife, Annette Cobb; daughter, Artisha Richmond; grandson, Jarnard Richmond; and mother-in-law, Princella Echols.
Boyd Transportation has more than 100 active professional truck drivers who have accumulated more than 1 million consecutive safe miles while driving for Boyd – of which 28 have 2 million and four have 3 million miles under their wheels.
“I can’t tell you how much we look forward to these celebrations. We have something special going on here with our drivers, and our celebrations are one way of recognizing them in front of our staff and their driving peers,” said Frank Stokes, vice president of safety, training and recruiting for Boyd Transportation. “It shows our drivers are successful and safe (not having a chargeable accident), which in turn, allows us to be successful as a company. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
“It’s a special day to honor Johnnie for his best of the best accomplishments,” said Chris Cooper, president of Boyd Transportation. “We feel we have world-class drivers and a family atmosphere here at Boyd. We know we’re only as good as our drivers, and we feel we have the best and safest in the industry. Johnnie and his safe driving record is an inspiration to our other drivers and to the staff here at Boyd. He’s a true professional.”
While Cooper and others gave praise to Cobb, he was also presented with a special 3-million-mile custom jacket, trophy and plaque. He also received a check for $6,000. When Cobb hit 1 million miles with Boyd, he also received a million-mile ring, something he said he wears proudly.
“Boyd is the only company I’ve ever driven for and I’ve been doing it a long time – 28 years,” Cobb said. “I plan to continue driving with them until I retire – so I should see 4 million miles in about eight years or so. Not too many drivers have hit that mark.”
According to Cobb, one reason he has driven 3 million consecutive miles without a chargeable accident is because of his family. “I drive like my wife and daughter are riding right along with me – that way I take my time and drive with safety in mind,” he said. “I want to protect my family, but I also want to drive in a manner that protects other families out there as well.”
Boyd Transportation, with headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., operates 1,250 tractors and 2,200 trailers. Part of the Daseke family of open-deck/specialty carriers, Boyd specializes in time-sensitive transportation of metal products, lumber, roofing and other building commodities.
According to Cobb, the key reason he has stayed at Boyd for so long comes down to one word. “Respect,” he said. “Boyd treats drivers with respect, and they appreciate what we do. I’ve never had a reason to leave. I’ve seen other drivers think there may be other opportunities out there, but then they’ll come back to Boyd. A lot of companies don’t recognize their drivers for their accomplishments. Boyd does, and that means something.”
About Boyd Transportation: Boyd Transportation is part of The Boyd Companies, which consist of four main operating entities: Boyd Transportation, WTI Transport, Mid-Seven Transportation and Boyd Logistics. The Boyd Companies are a part of Daseke, Inc. Boyd Transportation operates primarily throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States, serving high-volume, time-sensitive shippers. Boyd Transportation’s reputation is one of the most highly-respected in the open-deck industry.
About Daseke Inc.: Addison, Texas-based Daseke, Inc. is a family of open-deck trucking companies serving 49 states, Canada and Mexico. The companies include Smokey Point Distributing, based in Arlington, Wash. (www.spdtrucking.com); the E.W. Wylie Corporation, based in West Fargo, N.D. (www.wylietrucking.com); J. Grady Randolph, based in Gaffney, S.C. (www.jgr-inc.com); Central Oregon Truck Company, based in Redmond, Ore. (www.centraloregontruck.com); Lone Star Transportation, based in Fort Worth, Texas (www.lonestar-llc.com); The Boyd Companies, including Boyd Bros. Transportation, based in Birmingham, Ala. (www.boydbros.com); WTI Transport, based in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (www.wtitransport.com); and Mid Seven Transportation, based in Des Moines, Iowa (www.mid7.com).
