FROM TROOPS TO TRUCKING: AN INSIDE LOOK AT SOME OF AVERITT’S VETERAN TEAMMATES

Post Date - Nov 10, 2020

At Averitt, we’ve created a space where current and former military members feel supported and respected for their experience and diverse skills. We have programs available that help veterans transition quickly into driving roles with our company. Our GI Bill driver training program allows you to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits along with your weekly Averitt paycheck. Not to mention that we have ample support to walk you through the process of starting a new career and other opportunities to increase your income.

Most recently, we were named a Military Friendly Company through a national survey for our commitment to military veterans. The Military Friendly^® Employer designation is given to companies that create economic opportunities for veterans. A distinction given to only a select number of employers each year, this recognition is awarded to companies that meet benchmarks in support and retention; hiring and onboarding; culture and commitment; policies and compliance; recruiting and sourcing; and/or opportunity and advancement.

We strongly believe that every veteran deserves to work for a company that values their service. Don’t just take our word for it. We have a number of Averitt drivers and team members with military backgrounds. Here are just a few of these incredible individuals:

Joe Fouty, U.S. Army

Joe Fouty spent four years in the Army. After his military career, he had his sights set on becoming a police officer. While waiting for his application to go through, he started working at Averitt part time on the dock to bring home some income. What he didn’t expect was to find a whole new career. Joe has been part of Averitt since 1992 and is now one of our city drivers.

“It’s about the people you work with every day. We’re like a family over here,” says Joe. “We look out after each other. Same way you do in the military. It’s not like a job where you just ‘show up.’ I wouldn’t know what to do without my Averitt family.”

Joe is a father of two, so during his off time, he likes to build memories with his family. Last year, he took his kids on a 6,000-mile, two-and-a-half-week road trip to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Death Valley and Mt. Whitney.

Ty Moore, U.S. Air Force

Ty Moore, one of our frontline leaders, has been with Averitt since 1998. After his career in the Air Force, he eventually found his way to our company. He started as a forklift operator, then worked in the yard and later decided to take advantage of some of our leadership opportunities.

“Averitt’s been really good to me and my family. When I started, we were right in the middle of having our first child and everyone was really flexible,” he says. “I’m a military guy and there’s a real sense of uniformity here. It’s very professional on down the line - from service center directors, to operations managers, to frontline leaders.”

In his spare time, Ty likes to hit the gym, spend time with his family, and watch the Notre Dame football games.

Glen Barber, U.S. Army

After six years of driving heavy equipment in the Army, Glen Barber was no stranger to truck driving. He joined Averitt in 1996 and drove with us until 2004 when he had a significant medical event. Today, Glen is able to continue his Averitt career as a dock associate. It’s one of the many opportunities our drivers have to switch roles throughout our company as they need or want to.

“Averitt took care of me when I got sick,” explains Glen. “They were there. People came to see me, they helped me out. When I came back, they put me in a new non-driving position.”

Glen and his wife recently built a new house - something that they’ve been dreaming about as they start to look towards retirement.

Carla Guyton, U.S. Army (and Army Reserve)

Carla Guyton started working for Averitt in 2004 intending it to be an interim job between her past careers in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and teacher until she found something else. She was surprised when she discovered it was a great career fit for her. She currently works as one of our freight clerks.

“When you have a company that cares about their associates, it makes a difference,” she adds. “Right now, I’m working with two drivers delivering the freight. If something comes up or a change needs to be made, we can get together and talk about it. It’s always, ‘No problem, we got this.’”

Carla is a mother of three daughters. She values her family time and spends as much time as she can with her adult special needs daughter to give her as many experiences as possible.

If you have a military background and are considering a career in the trucking industry, we’d love to chat with you! Reach out to us and we’d be glad to help you take the next step.