Ruan is happy to feature several of our team members across the country in our People First Spotlight. In recognition of National Hat Day, we are happy to introduce Casey Jordan, a Driver Training Specialist who is devoted to his job and hat collection!
Q: Tell us a little about your career path and background.
I started with Ruan in 1996 as a driver, hauling copper concentrate for the copper mines in Arizona. I drove for Ruan for 23 years before taking my current position with the Driver Training Center as a Driver Training Specialist.
Q: How many hats do you own?
I have at least 40 Ruan caps and many more of others! Additionally, I have six cowboy hats. When we moved, I sorted my collection and got rid of over 100 hats.
Q: How do you use hats when you train new Ruan truck drivers?
I like to have fun and frequently change my hats during the first two days of orientation. At the end of day two, I ask the drivers how many I wore over the previous two days! I do this to see if they are paying attention to their surroundings. Since beginning this activity, only one driver has answered correctly after a wild guess! They are amazed when I show them how many I use—usually between 19 and 25 hats in just two days.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working for Ruan?
I enjoy my position and having a great team to work with. I really enjoy talking to the drivers on follow-up calls during check-ins. It may be the same orientation every week, but it’s still different because of the new group of drivers. I try to keep it fun and interesting!
Q: What is your favorite memory during your time at Ruan?
Well, there have been a lot of good memories through the years. If I had to narrow it down, it would have to be being named the 2015 Driver of the Year. Hard to top that! It is a huge honor, and I’m very grateful to have been named Driver of the Year considering how many great drivers we have here at Ruan.
Q: In what ways are you involved in your community?
I have started the process of becoming an instructor for B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), which is a teen driving class dedicated to saving young lives. Getting them started off with good driving habits and knowing how to deal with certain situations could save their life or yours.
Q: What advice would you share with those considering joining the trucking industry?
You can always improve your driving skills; you just need to identify what you need to work on and make a conscious effort to improve. Also, following distance is important!
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy silver engraving and leather work. I’m just starting to learn spur making and may try my had at gun engraving soon. I have made many saddles and a lot of miniature saddles, chaps, and gun rigs. My wife and I also shoot Cowboy Fast Draw competitively and travel for shoots in several states.
Are you interested in joining team Ruan? Check out our job opportunities!