David Areias was recently named Ruan Transportation Management Systems' 2010 Driver of the Year after being selected from a pool of more than 3,700 professional drivers.
Areias, who operates out of Ruan's Turlock, CA, terminal, and lives in Los Banos, CA, has been with Ruan since 2006 and has logged more than 2 million miles during his 40 years as a professional truck driver.
Areias said he was surprised and honored to be nominated for the recognition because Ruan has many exceptional drivers. "You learn something new every day," Areias said about being a professional truck driver. "Safety is my number one concern. I want to go home to family every night."
Ruan, a 79-year-old dedicated contract carriage and logistics company headquartered in Des Moines, IA, began the search for its Driver of the Year when 106 drivers from Ruan's 233 terminals were named region finalists based on length of service, safety and driving records, and exceptional customer service.
Regional vice presidents then narrowed the field further to 11 region winners, who travelled to Des Moines with a guest July 12 for an awards ceremony and other festivities. Of the 11 region winners, Areias was selected by Ruan's executive committee.
"Each of you are outstanding performers because you consistently exceed our safety and service standards to meet the needs of our customers," said Ruan President and CEO Steve Chapman at the awards ceremony at the Des Moines Embassy Club. "This recognition is our way of honoring your dedication, professionalism and ongoing commitment to Ruan."
Each regional winner was awarded a trophy at the ceremony. Areias, who does farm pick up in Ruan's dairy and bulk food division, was honored with a trophy, $5,000 and the 2010 Driver of the Year title.
The 2010 Driver of the Year festivities coincide with Ruan's annual Founder's Days events, when the company celebrates the work ethic and philanthropic spirit of its founder, John Ruan, throughout the month of July.
"There is no better time to celebrate our best, most accomplished professional drivers than on the anniversary of our company's founding in 1932," Chapman said. "It was 79 years ago when Ruan Transportation Management Systems was the promising business of one determined, hard-working driver: John Ruan."