Ed Pascal, All State Career School, Lester, PA.  Nominated by:  Anonymous

Best Traits:  Patient, encouraging, dedicated to job.  He was very clear, taught through his own experience and made sure you understood everything he went over. If you didn't understand he would take the time to help you understand. The way he would explain was very understanding and easy to grasp! I think he was the best!!!

Wayne Davisson, Schneider National, Green Bay, WI.  Nominated by: Jeff Carder.  Best Traits: patient, excellent driver and truly knew what he was talking about.  Wayne has 32 years+ in the trucking industry. He has done it all. I was lucky to have a man that knew more about the truck than any person I have known. As a new driver, he showed me more than you could believe. I am now a successful driver that is still learning but I feel that with Wayne's help it made me a safe and productive driver. I would not have traded my time with Wayne for all the world. He is one of a rare breed and is truly the best of the best.

John Hughes, AG Carriers, Tavares, FL.  Nominated by: Robert Jones.  Best Traits: professional, felt that he cared that I learn, took the time to explain things.  John gets his expertise across to me without the emotional outbursts I have seen in some people. He lets me know firmly when something is not done right, but lets one know when mistakes are corrected and/or things were good in the first place. It really sets one at ease when first getting into the truck, unlike some "stories" we hear about others' trainers. It is a great pleasure to train under John.

Noel Martin, Convenant Transport, Chattanooga, TN.  Nominated by: DeVeria D. Stokes.  Best Traits:  patient, encouraging & professional.  As Noel's first trainee, I was leery about his experience and his ability to train me. I had already had a bad experience with one trainer and a "near miss" with another. From the beginning Noel was the consummate professional. At our first meeting he allayed my fears by outlining "our" training schedule, letting me know what he would expect of me at each step and what I could expect of him. He made no boastful insinuations as to his experience but rather conceded that at some points we might have to learn together. (plus with our dispatcher whom we discovered was also new.) Due to his professional manner, gender never became an issue, being alluded to only briefly when Noel stressed that he was here to teach, I to learn...nothing more, nothing less. We did have our disagreements but Noel's professionalism turned these instances into learning experiences for us both and brought our differences closer in line with our need to maintain a working relationship under sometimes harsh & tense situations. Noel taught me not how to drive a truck but how to be a good trucker driver; one concerned for the safety of myself, my equipment, as well as others on the road. He taught me how to make money without money being the bottom line, how to "deliver" freight, not just haul it, and to be proud of my company and constantly aware of how others view it. I'm glad Noel trained me. When people ask how do I like being at Covenant, I answer them "Just Fine, I have no basis for comparison and I hope I never do!" Thanks in large part to Noel Martin's turning of a bad beginning into a great career start.

Roger Ross, Schneider National, Harrisburg, PA.  Nominated by: Ken Wheeler.  Best Traits:  patient, encouraging, dedicated, professional, took the time to instruct, felt that he cared that I learn, truly knew what he was talking about, took the time to explain things and motivated. He was concerned that I do well.  Extremely patient, knowledgeable and helpful. This guy really knows his stuff.

Shawn Newman, Convenant Transport, Chattanooga, TN. Nominated by: Raymond Willis Jr.  Best traits:  patient, encouraging, dedicated, professional, excellent driver. took the time to instruct, felt that he cared that I learn, truly knew what he was talking about, took the time to explain things, motivated.  He gave me the rules of his truck and asked if I had any questions. He then told me to bring my gear aboard. He then said, "Failure is not an option." He began telling me what my duties were. I did all the paperwork and all the backing to the docks. It improved my skills. He told me he was not a teacher, but he was. He taught me the principles of backing by using a toy truck. With this toy, he showed me how the trailer reacts under different conditions. He also stressed safety in everything I do. When backing, stop and get out and look at the back, sides & in front of you. He couldn't stress that fact enough. He also built my driving endurance up. If Shawn ever stopped driving, the company might just want to make him an instructor. The man is a great trainer.

Lee Gore, Jr., Convenant Transport, Chattanooga, TN. Nominated by: Bryon S. Bryant.  Best Traits:  patient, encouraging, dedicated, professional, excellent driver, took the time to instruct, felt that he cared that I learn, truly knew what he was talking about, took the time to explain things, motivated.  He cares!!!! He cares about people and the company!

Terry French, Convenant Transport, Chattanooga, TN. Nominated by: Derwin Lawhorn.  Best Traits:  encouraging, took the time to instruct & truly knew what he was talking about.  Terry has a meek & gentle disposition. It is very easy to receive his instruction. He is firm when he needs to be yet it's done in an acceptable way. He does not compromise company rules and stresses safety! He is extremely knowledgeable of D.O.T. regulations.

Reba Jo Hicks, American Driving Inst, Tucson, AZ.  Nominated by: Michael Moore.  Best Traits:  patient, encouraging, took the time to instruct, felt that she cared I learn.  She was able to teach me things that no other trainer was able to. She encouraged me to do my best always and when I would screw things up she would work with me until I was able to get it right. Thanks again Reba!!!!