Mike Pennington Awarded Trainer of the Month for June 2018

on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in Awards & Recognition

Mike is no stranger to the life here at TMC. He started his professional driving career back in May 2004 and became a driver trainer four years later. Mike knew TMC was a good fit from day one. “I’ve always liked the job and work that I do, and it’s continued to be something I enjoy and look forward to each day,” he says.

After a few years on the road by himself, Mike felt it was time for him to start training. “I wanted to make a difference in the company and make sure new drivers were getting things done the right way,” he says. When it comes to his training, the Bluefield, WV native keeps safety at the forefront of everything he does. 

“Mike’s focus on safety is evident based on the safety record of the drivers he has trained,” says Jeff Geist, Training Coordinator Manager. “He puts emphasis on having proper turning skills and being aware of surroundings at all times.”

“Drivers should always focus on operating the truck safely first, and pay extra attention to load securement,” says Mike. “If you take your time and do these things correctly, everything else comes together pretty easily.” 

Overall, Mike is honored to have been chosen as the most recent Trainer of the Month. “Training has taught me a lot about patience and how to deal with countless situations. I hope to keep giving back to TMC for as long as I can.”

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. Congratulations to our June 2018 Trainer of the Month, Mike Pennington!