As 2008 comes to a close we at Kaiser Transport, Inc. would like to thank all our employees and their families for the effort and support they have put towards helping make this a successful year even with the economic crisis.
Looking ahead to 2009 has us all taking strides to work together and implement new ideas to make this next year even more successful.
In an effort to continue expanding Kaiser Transport, Inc.’s horizons, we have added 2 new salesmen to our workforce. We are happy to have welcome Rich and Gary to our team. They will be out in the field servicing the needs of our current customers, as well as those of potential customers.
In celebration of everyone’s hard work, Todd and Robbi Kaiser hosted the 13th Annual Christmas Awards Banquet. We started the day off with a driver’s meeting. This is a chance for both drivers and management to talk about the past year and about the goals for the upcoming year. It is also a time for anyone with new ideas or suggestions to have them heard and talked about. This year the drivers were informed of a pay increase, despite the economy. Todd told the driver’s that this was for all their hard work this past year, but were reminded that they need to keep getting the Kaiser Transport, Inc. image out to customers and other drivers.
 |  |  |
This was also a time for some of our veteran drivers to announce the formation of The Papa John Posse. The P.J.P is a unit within an organization that allows professional truck drivers to come together as one to make a positive impact within a professional trucking company. Their task is to unite drivers into a positive work ethic attitude to accomplish very difficult tasks and to move trucks and freight in a professional manner. It is also their task to work in harmony, teach new drivers, and reinforce positive work ethics in veteran drivers. They strive to be a successful and put a positive spirit in a company so that drivers will stay and grow. They are also working towards better communication between drivers and management, so that issues on both sides can be addressed in a timely manner. Todd Kaiser was pleased to hear of this, and welcomed the group to help aide in the future success of Kaiser Transport, Inc. This group is open to all drivers, which the P.J.P. hopes one day to have every driver, both over-the-road and local, become a member. There are 4 teams currently in place within the P.J.P. with each having a captain that members can go to with any problems. This is something that everyone at Kaiser Transport, Inc. is excited about, and sees it doing great things for both drivers and management in the future.
The day was then topped off with our Awards Banquet. All employees are presented with a special award and the Annual Safety and Driver of the Year awards are presented as well. This year went a little differently, the department managers presented the awards to their staff and Todd presented the drivers theirs.
Some of the awards presented that night were:
Safety Award - this award goes to those drivers who received the quarterly safety bonus every quarter by being safe on the road, arriving on time, no claims, no out-of-services', and no damage to the equipment. The drivers received an individual wall plaque, a cash award, and a year’s supply of logs.
Top Row (L-R) Bob-Business Administrator, Bill G., John, Todd-President, Dale, John, Jared-Asst. Business Administrator
Bottom Row (L-R) Don, David, Tim, Denise, Joe
Presidents Club – this award was presented to three of our drivers, Joe, John D. & Denise, who qualified for the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association President’s Safe Driver Club. In order to receive a nomination a driver must have 36 continuous months of service with the same employer, no accidents on or off duty, and a clean Motor Vehicle record both on and off duty. This is the second year for Joe and the first for John & Denise.
NASTC Driver of the Year nominee – Dale received an honorable mention for NASTC’s Driver of the Year award. Dale was one of the first drivers that Todd hired back in 1996. In 1997, Dale won Driver of the Year with Kaiser and in December 2005 he hit his millionth mile.
Good Samaritan Award – this is a new award that presented to one of Kaiser Transport, Inc.’s teams, Brian & Dana. They received this award for their caring actions on April 22, 2008 when assisting with a roll-over accident in Nevada. This is the first time in Kaiser Transport, Inc. history that any of our drivers have been recognized for this. Brian and Dana have made all of us here at Kaiser Transport Inc. extremely proud.
Driver of the Year 2008 – This award is the highest award presented to a driver at Kaiser Transport. The 2008 Driver of the Year was Denise. Denise was recognized for her outstanding performance in the areas of Safety, Customer Relations, Handling of Freight, and her Contributions to the success of the company. Denise received the Kaiser Traveling Trophy, individual wall plaque, a cash award, embroidered jacket, and a standing ovation from her fellow drivers and employees. Thank You and Congratulations Denise!
Million Mile Award – Joe was recognized with his Million-Mile Safety Award. Joe started working for Kaiser Transport, Inc. in February 2000. In the 8 ½ years Joe has been with Kaiser Transport, Inc. he has performed with the driving skills and attitude of a true Professional Over-the-Road Driver. We are happy to have him a part of the Kaiser Transport, Inc. family and look forward to his next million miles. Congratulations and Great Job Joe!
Best of Show Award – this award is presented to the driver that takes pride in the appearance of his truck, both outside and in. This year the award went to Jeff D. for his continued commitment to keeping his truck beyond presentable.
Employee of the Year – this award is given to the employee that not only takes pride in his own work, but continually strives to improve the attitude and performance of those around him. This year the award was given to Billy for his outstanding leadership and continued guidance throughout the company.
We also welcomed some to faces to Kaiser Transport, Inc this winter:
 | Simeon joined Kaiser Transport, Inc. on December 15th as our new IT/Networking Administrator. He has a degree from ITT Technical Institute and has 5 years experience working as a Tech in the trucking industry. Welcome Aboard Simeon! |
Matt came to Kaiser Transport, Inc. on December 17th. He is a part-time local driver at our Janesville, WI yard. He has several years experience behind the wheel. Welcome Matt! |  |
 | Tony also joined the Kaiser Team on December 17th. He comes to us with several years OTR experience. He is out driving around the country in truck 126. Welcome Tony! |
Clyde joined Kaiser Transport, Inc on December 29th. He is the smiling face behind the wheel of truck #121. He has over 30 years of OTR experience. Welcome Clyde! |  |
 | Steve also came to Kaiser Transport, Inc on December 29th. He has been trucking since 1985. He is currently ridin' around in truck #128. Welcome Steve! |
Rich is the new National Sales Director working out of our Janesville, WI terminal. He joined Kaiser Transport, Inc. on January 5th. He has worked many years in the trucking industry. Welcome Rich! |  |
 | Gary is our other new National Sales Director working out of the Orange, CA terminal. He also joined Kaiser Transport, Inc on January 5th. Welcome Gary! |
Michele joined the Kaiser Transport, Inc team on January 12th. She is the new face in the Accounting Department. Welcome Michele! |  |
 | Brenda joined the Kaiser Transport, Inc team on January 19th. She is the another new face in the Accounting Department. Welcome Brenda! |
