TMC Names Brad Coppin as December Trainer of the Month

on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in Awards & Recognition

Brad Coppin got his start in the Transportation Industry hauling poultry. When the Poultry Industry started to take a hit, Brad decided it was time for a change. While scoping out trucks and observing drivers at truck stops, Brad got an idea of the different freight trailer types available and the lifestyle those drivers live. From then on, Brad knew he wanted to be a flatbed driver. He narrowed his research to flatbed transportation companies online and visited truck driver forums to break down the best company. “TMC had one of the best reputations out there. Any complaints were minor. I called them to discuss more and found out they had one of the best pay programs out there.”

Brad joined TMC in the Linehaul Division and expressed interest in becoming a trainer. Brad explains, “I started training because I got to meet more people and experience different cultures. Now, my favorite part of being a trainer is having conversations with people. I love it when people ask questions about what I am doing. It breaks up the monotony of a regular solo day.”

After five years of training, Brad has learned a lot throughout his journey. “I’ve learned it is not about how you get the job done, but the end result that matters. We do not all do it the same way. I have to remind myself sometimes, you can have a different way of doing something and still do it right,” said Brad. That is not the only thing that helps Brad be a great trainer. He has also learned the most important piece is patience, “You have to help them learn and be patient with them.” Brad’s philosophy on being a trainer is unique, “The training does not end when you leave my truck. My job from that point on is to help you be successful. I tell each trainee, ‘If you have any questions, call me.’ Most of my trainees do. I do my best to keep in touch with each person I train.”

“I owe a lot to my trainer, TMC driver, Kent Hall. He has been an inspiration to me and taught me everything I know. We have since become friends and talk daily. I get tips and advice from him as well,” Brad said gratefully.

For those looking at coming to TMC Transportation, “Just do it,” Brad advises, “You can’t go wrong. TMC takes care of their people.”

“Brad brings a lot of TMC experience to training drivers. He has been with TMC for 12 years and trained for a combined five years. He took some time off (from training) to haul boats for a while and has had great success this past year. Brad trains people the right way to be safe and successful and is available for support beyond the time they get into their own truck,” writes Jeff Geist, Training Coordinator Manager.

Congrats, Brad, on being named TMC’s Driver Trainer of the Month for December 2020!

….

Driver Trainers are vital to the TMC Training Department, and each month a Trainer is chosen who demonstrates the outstanding qualities TMC looks for in a Trainer. The Trainer of the Month recipient is chosen based on their safety record and the safety performance of their Trainees, the number of Drivers trained, and the retention percentage of those Drivers.