Each quarter, the Producer Badge is awarded to drivers who are in the Top 10% of the fleet in which they exceed the quarterly productivity goals. This badge symbolizes the driver’s hard work and success within Marvin Keller.
Congratulations to the following drivers who earned the Producer Badge for 2023 – Quarter 4!
Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter
Junrey Montejo
Robert Willis
Nicholas Harjung
Terry Hodge
Christopher Hopper
Company Drivers, OTR – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles
Richard Merrill – 40,557
Jessica Branham – 38,445
Allen Fitzgerald – 35,463
Orville Merrill – 32,028
Company Drivers, 4 On/4 Off – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles
Ed Hrezo – 26,835
Deb Coleman – 25,249
Anthony Collins – 24,705
Jeffrey Efird – 24,203
Robert Benton – 23,740
Eric Doney – 22,121
When Drivers receive the Producer Badge, they earn 1,000 Pro Points. Being in the Top 10% is a great achievement and we appreciate the extra work these drivers put in to be our Top Producers! Keep up the great work drivers!
Our team would like to acknowledge a few of our drivers who have demonstrated exceptional levels of dedication, positivity, professionalism, and hard work. These drivers have been chosen for their remarkable contributions and commitment to excellence.
“It’s difficult to summarize Ken’s contributions in just a few sentences. Ken has been driving for 56 years starting at the age of 19. He drove for his uncle for 2 years and then bought his own truck. In 1989, his business grew to a 38-truck fleet running for ADM. He continued with them until Sept of 2001 when he came to Marvin Keller. Ken continued with MK until 2013 when he left to try his hand at running a body shop with his son. In 2018 Ken came back to MK and remains here today. Ken helps the shop by assisting with DOT Inspections on trailers, installing Samsara units on trailers, and identifying and repairing minor maintenance issues. Ken is also a part of our training program primarily working with students on backing skills, using and updating Samsara and Drive MK, or any additional training they may need. We’re incredibly fortunate to have Ken as a member of the MK Family.” – Amy, Owner Operator Program Manager
“Since Rick joined Marvin Keller in August, he has consistently ran 3000+ miles a week as a company driver. He is always timely and always provides the MK team with updates. His work ethic is second to none, and he is a great asset to have on the team.” – Lucas, Driver Manager
“The Branham Team recently paired up and they’ve been awesome since the start. They are consistently accurate with times and updates they send to us for ETAs. They stay on top of all their paperwork and turn in anything we ask timely. They go above and beyond when the company needs help with a load. The Branhams are true examples of our culture and the level of professionalism we strive for at MK.” – Alex, Driver Manager
“Robert started at Marvin Keller in September as a driver in our 4 on 4 off program. Since he started he has always been willing to work extra days and stay out to help make deliveries. Robert is always on time and is excellent at communicating with the MK team. He has been a great asset and is always willing to go the extra mile.” – Lucas, Driver Manager
“Charity has recently become a trainer here at Marvin Keller. Some of her strengths are attention to detail, a positive attitude, and of course, is always a hard worker. She is a perfect fit to teach new drivers and help them achieve success here at Marvin Keller.” – Andrew, Driver Manager
“Jerry is always willing to help out wherever he can. When we need a load delivered Jerry is always there to assist. His recent accomplishment is transitioning from a company driver to a lease purchase operator. Jerry always maintains a positive attitude, even when things are not going their way. We appreciate all that he does to help out Marvin Keller.” – Tom, Driver Manager
Thank you for all that you do and continue to do to help us be the best carrier out there! Keep up the great work!
Recognizing the Role of Truck Drivers
As we continue to navigate through the new year, the role of truck drivers has become even more critical in keeping the supply chain moving smoothly. Last year presented many difficulties, and we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to every one of you who worked tirelessly to deliver essential goods and resources to communities across the nation.
“As more than 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks to meet their freight transportation needs, the impact of truck drivers is felt in every corner of the country.” The things that fill our lives and power our economy are made available thanks to a truck and a driver behind the wheel. We truly appreciate YOU and all the hard work and dedication that goes into being a professional driver. Thank you, MK Drivers.
As part of their Hours of Service reporting, drivers may spend some of their rest period in a sleeper berth. Drivers record rest time in sleeper berths using the Samsara Driver App. You can review sleeper berth time in the daily log for the driver.
Sleep Sleeper Berth Rules
Drivers may split their 10-hour required shift reset period into two periods, provided that one is at least a 7-hour split sleeper berth (SB) period and the other is at least a 2-hour off-duty SB period.
These two periods must add up to 10 hours. Neither time will count against the shift time when the second period is completed. By default, Samsara calculates shift points and removes potential violations after both periods are met. To proactively pause shift clocks between shifts, drivers can enable Split Sleeper Toggle.
Refer to the provided link to view additional regulations regarding Split Sleeper Berth in Samsara.
To proactively pause shift clocks during split sleeper berth conditions, you can enable the Split Sleeper Toggle in the Samsara Driver App.
To enable the Split Sleeper Toggle, perform the following workflow:
Log in to the Samsara Driver App.
Tap HOS > HOS settings and enable Split Sleeper Toggle.An option displays under the HOS dials after you have completed one eligible split sleeper period in your shift:
Did you know that during winter there is an increasing amount of vehicle collisions due to poor weather conditions? It’s reported that 24% of weather-related vehicle accidents occur during the winter with icy roads being the leading cause of winter truck accidents.
As the cold weather approaches, you must prepare yourselves and your vehicles for the upcoming winter conditions. Snow, ice, and low visibility can make driving more challenging, but there are several steps you can take to ensure your safety on the road.
Firstly, it’s important to check the vehicle’s brakes, battery, fluids, and tires before heading out on a trip. Make sure that the tires have sufficient tread and are filled with air to the recommended pressure. Additionally, truck drivers should keep emergency supplies in their vehicles, such as a first aid kit, blankets, extra clothing, and food and water.
Another essential is to make sure that the windshield and windows are clear of ice and snow before driving. This will help to ensure better visibility and allow you to be seen while on the road. Additionally, it’s essential to drive at a safe speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to allow for better stopping in case of an emergency.
By taking these necessary safety precautions and having the right equipment on hand, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of others while driving in winter weather conditions.
When in doubt, shut it down! No load is more important than your safety!
A Guide to Safe Winter Driving – Tips and Tricks from MK Drivers
As part of our recent maintenance campaign, we requested that you share some useful tips and tricks for driving safely during the winter season. We have collected all your responses and compiled them into a guide for your use. By following these tips and being prepared, you can stay safe while driving on winter roads.
Take advantage of our new maintenance campaign to expand your knowledge and earn Pro-Points! This campaign focuses on the importance of being safe during the winter and offers tips to be better prepared in case of an accident or breakdown.
Those who complete the campaign activities below by December 29, 2023, will receive 200 Pro-Points!
No matter where you find yourself this Christmas – whether at home with family, sleeping in your cab, or delivering the final gifts – remember that you are appreciated. While Santa Claus often takes the spotlight, it’s important to recognize the real heroes: our professional drivers. To those working over the Holidays, thank you for your hard work and dedication.
To the entire MK Family, thank you for being such an important part of our team. Thank you for keeping the economy moving and ensuring goods are delivered safely and efficiently. We appreciate all that you do for us here at Marvin Keller Trucking.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year!
A major part of being professional as a driver is practicing good safety habits. As a driver, your job is to move product safely from point A to point B. It sounds easy enough, but there are a lot of pieces involved in that. To start, you need to plan ahead. Trip planning is essential to the safe, on-time delivery of your load. Planning ahead for weather, traffic, road closures, or construction gives you an advantage as you know what to expect and can be proactive about any potential issues on your trip. Planning ahead also includes thorough inspections. Checking to make sure the truck and trailer are in good working order can prevent dangerous and costly accidents that put you and other drivers at risk.
When you’re on the road, follow your Smith System training. Eliminate distractions, always look ahead for hazards, and give yourself plenty of space and multiple ways out.
Developing safety routines and following them every single day can ensure that you are in control of most of what happens on the road. Avoid taking shortcuts and do the right thing even when no one is watching.
The costs of complacency when it comes to safety procedures can be dire. Avoid being lazy, reactive, or inattentive. These behaviors can lead to damage of products, equipment, or even loss of life. We want our drivers to make it home safely every week, and putting safety procedures first is how that happens.
The network team has recently acquired a new Customer, Packing Corporation of America. We started hauling Pulpboard rolls out of their Containerboard Mill in Valdosta, GA. Just last week, we also started to haul Pulpboard rolls out of their Counce, TN location. These shipments are preloaded and deliver to IL, IN, & MO.
PCA is one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products and has over 120 facilities across the U.S. They started as the North Star Mill in Quincy, Illinois in 1867 making paper from wild grasses and eventually straw. It was the first of the Central Fiber Products Company which became one of the three companies that formed PCA. In 1959 Packaging Corporation of America was formed by the consolidation of the Central Fiber Products Company, the American Box Board Company, and the Ohio Boxboard Company.
In 1991 PCA purchases two containerboard mills, 19 corrugated container plants, and cutting rights to approximately 650,000 acres of timberlands from Georgia-Pacific.
Last year PCA was included in Forbes magazine’s 2021 list of “World’s Best Employers” — one of only 24 U.S.-based manufacturing/engineering companies to make the list.
Corrugated boxes are everywhere. They are used to package, transport, display, and promote almost every product you see and buy. Corrugated is the most sustainable packaging material available and we look forward to growing our business with PCA!
Just a reminder, our team has initiated the second phase of MK Connect! The second phase focuses on how we can help you enhance your overall performance and achieve your individual goals. Let’s connect so we can better support you!
To access this survey, click on the link below that contains your Driver Manager’s name. Once you fill out and submit the survey, your DM will schedule a call with you to review your response. When filling out the survey, please be as detailed as possible.
Please fill this out as soon as you can. We appreciate your participation and look forward to reviewing your feedback.
At our operations meeting every Friday, each of our driver managers takes a moment to acknowledge one of their drivers for their outstanding performance. We want to give a special thank you to the following drivers for their exceptional work, which serves as a great example of what it means to be an MK Driver.
First we would like to shoutout, Marc Bear, Dave Williams, & Jason Coleman for installing their own Samsung tablets in their trucks to save the cost of coming down to the shop. Thank you!
Marc Bear
Dave Williams
Jason Coleman
We would like to thank Alvin Jordan for he had been at a new location in TX recently and helped give directions to the next driver who was having trouble finding the office. Thank you for being so willing to help out!
Shoutout to Eli Greenwood for he took matters into his own hands to save time by restacking 5 pallets that had shifted rather than wait for the Receiver. Way to work extra so you could keep moving!
We would like to recognize Anthony Gilio. He pulled two loads out of Augusta so we could keep another driver moving who was not arriving until after that facility closed. Thank you for being someone we can rely on!
Thank you to Terrance Parks! He left out a day early several weeks in a row to help save deliveries for us. Thank for helping to keep our Customers happy!
We would like to shoutout Ken Newby for he disposed of damaged product at his own property to save us the cost of playing someone to pick it up. Thank you always for going over and above.
Shoutout to Jason Grigsby for he had a difficult situation a weeks ago with many complications including rejected product and lots of downtime Thank you for having a good attitude and being understanding through the mess!
We would like to recognize Eric Doney for he was struck by another driver at a truck stop and was able to chase the driver down to get his company info so we could claim the damages to our equipment. We appreciate your determination!
Lastly, thank you to Terry Hodge, Chris Le, Anthony Collins, Damien Strong, Robert Benton, and Garrett McWilliams for working extra days in the past few weeks to help us make on time deliveries. We appreciate the extra work from all of you!
An option displays under the HOS dials after you have completed one eligible split sleeper period in your shift:
