Halloween 2014-Big D Style

These pictures are late arrivers.....sorry for the delay.  Our Dallas Service Center dressed up for the "witching hour" and we would be remiss if we did not share these pictures with everyone.

 It is an age old tradition in Dallas to dress up for Halloween.  Our team did not disappoint in 2014!  Our Account Managers are represented by Julie Jones (3rd from left) and Joyce Wade (5th from left). 

Joyce Wade steps up her game!

 

Swift Kick In The Grass-JBT Kickball Glory

Though we did not win the championship, our SKITG team played well and finished 2-1.  Great work for this team and their antlered mascot!

Game 1 defeated "Recess Rejects" 6-4

Game 2 lost to "Pitches be Crazy" 2-6

Game 3 defeated "Eballa" 9-2

EPA Honors Freight Carriers for Superior Supply Chain Efficiency

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is honoring 44 top truck and multi-modal carriers as industry leaders in supply chain environmental and energy efficiency with its 2014 SmartWay^® Excellence Awards announced today by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy at the American Trucking Associations’ Annual Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, Calif.

These carrier partners are SmartWay’s top environmental performers, setting benchmarks in how they move products and supplies, by transporting the continent’s goods efficiently with the lowest overall carbon dioxide and criteria emissions.

"As SmartWay celebrates its tenth anniversary, EPA recognizes its top carrier partners for the significant strides they have made towards a sustainable transportation future,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “By saving fuel and keeping carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants out of the air, recipients of the SmartWay Excellence Award demonstrate that fighting climate change and protecting human health is good for business.”

This year, SmartWay Program, a public-private partnership between EPA and transportation-related companies, celebrates 10 years as a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing the impacts of climate change. Demonstration of a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and environmentally-friendly business environment. Since 2004, SmartWay partners have saved $16.8 billion in fuel costs and 120.7 million barrels of oil— the equivalent of taking over 10 million cars off the road for an entire year. SmartWay’s clean air achievements have protected the well-being of citizens by avoiding emissions of 51.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 738,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 37,000 tons of particulate matter.

Building on the important work of the SmartWay Program, and as part of the

President’s Climate Action Plan, EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) worked with the trucking industry to create the first-ever GHG and fuel efficiency standards for heavy duty vehicles—model year 2014 to 2018. Over the lifetime of these vehicles, they’ll save 530 million barrels of oil and over 270 million metric tons of carbon emissions—not to mention $50 billion dollars in fuel savings.

In addition, last week, EPA recognized SmartWay shippers and logistics companies for moving freight while burning less fuel– by increasing the fuel efficiency of fleet vehicles, reducing idling, and maximizing the productivity of every haul, long or short.

The top truck and multi-modal carriers award recipients include:

 

J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.              Multimodal                       Lowell, Arkansas

Pumpkin Timebombs and Fall in Arkansas

Here is the winning design from the National Accounts Pumpkin Decorating Contest.  Pretty slick to use the intermodal container design along with the customer focus for General Mills.

On the 4th Floor, Our team wrapped up the month of October with a Pumpkin Timebomb contest last Friday.

 The object is to see how long it takes to put pressure on a pumpkin with rubber bands before the orb explodes. 

 As you can see, we had some great costumes on our floor for the holiday.

 The Winning Team-Wilson and White !  Taylor and Sarah had a strategy that led to a prestigious victory that was a source of pride for all involved.

 

New Faces in the the IC/LP Team

We are pleased to announce two new hires who have joined our Truckload team. Welcome aboard Mark Blome and Jerry Mitchell. Both will be joining the IC/LP team. 

Mark Blome began his career at JB Hunt in July of 2012 in the maintenance department. Mark was part of the training department where he taught and supported maintenance technicians.  Prior to JB Hunt, Mark spent over 17 years in retail management.  After high school, Mark was in the Army National Guard for 8 years where he was awarded 3 Army acheivement medals and an Army accomodation medal.

Mark Blome

Fleet Manager

Let's also welcome Jerry Mitchell. Jerry was born and raised in Mandeville Louisiana, where he excelled in multiple sports in high school, earning numerous scholarship offers around the country. Jerry made the decision to commit to the University of Arkansas because he loved the tradition, the passion of the fans, and the fact that the entire state adores the Hogs. While at Arkansas, Jerry was able to successfully contribute at three different positions on the field. (Cornerback, Safety, and Outside Linebacker) He was also one of the team’s leading performers on special teams, leading the team in special teams tackles two years straight. Jerry earned a bachelors degree in Communications.  Post graduation, he was invited to a Rookie mini-camp with the New Orleans Saints and two months later, was brought back as a Scouting Assistant for the Saints.  After the decision to relocate back to Northwest Arkansas, Jerry decided to pursue positions that allowed him to utilize his computer, office, and interpersonal communications skills.

 

Jerry Mitchell

Manager Trainee

 Welcome aboard guys!

 

Promotion Announcement-Zach Race

 Please join us in congratulating Zach Race in his promotion from Manager Trainee to Fleet Manager.
 

Zach joined the Truckload team in July 2014. He is a 2011 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Criminal Justice. Before getting into the Manager Trainee program, Zach worked at the University of Arkansas Academic Center for Student Athletes.

Zach is eager to learn, a quick study, and always engaged. We look froward to watching him grow and succeed as a Fleet Manager. Congratulations Zach!

 

Zach Race

Fleet Manager In Training

 

Promoted to

Truckload Fleet Manager

 

 

True Respect

I received this note from one of our Professional Drivers about the respect he saw in a new employee (rehire):  

Just had an absolutely wonderful conversation with a brand new / old hand - J. B. Hunt driver named Melvin Thompson!   He worked for J. B. years ago, then just came back a couple weeks ago - he has enjoyable stories, a wonderful sense of humor - AND he taught me a few things a about the Espar Bunk Heater I didn't know!

Drivers like Melvin, old guys and gals, that talk and laugh and don't mind teaching us green youngin's a thing or two - are to me, what has always - and it seems STILL, made/makes J. B. Hunt special - unlike every other major mainstream carrier out there.

We used to say, back when I was one of the VERY LUCKY FEW 1 year experience drivers allowed to come to work here: "Every J. B. Hunt driver is your Family hand, you just haven't met 'em yet!" - and we said it sort of jokingly, but also kind of seriously...

Well, Melvin is "that sort" of driver - makes me feel like a bloody noob again, but not in a bad way - makes other driver around him smile and want to share stories instead of go hide in their truck.

It made me feel special again, just because Melvin and I are J. B. HUNT - the other drivers around us weren't - and I kind of felt that "hey, you've got family here on this stinking grocery warehouse parking lot, and you didn't even know him yet!" kind of feeling :)

Melvin watched my ...trailer behind... while I backed in - without even being asked - and I watched him as he backed up - just like the old days (though I should say that Melvin needed me watching him back up as a safety, about as much as I need a second naval in my forehead - the man can back a truck as well as I can drive forward - and it just felt good all of a sudden, to be here with my friends and my "J. B. Family" out on the road.