Gregory Ridenour Joins Stevens Million Miler Club

Not everyone can say that they have driven one million miles safely and accident-free. But Gregory Ridenour has beaten all of those odds. What’s his secret you may ask? “The secret is to drive,” Gregory said. “I have a very high self-standard and everything has to follow my standard. It’s pretty hard for many people to meet my standards.”

Gregory started his truck driving career at Roadmaster Drivers School in early, then came to Stevens Transport in March of 2011, went into Stevens’ grad fleet in April of 2011, and after 60 days, signed on to an Alliance lease, and has been driving his own trucks ever since.

I’m working toward retirement, and [truck driving] was the easiest job I could find for the most amount of money.

– Gregory Ridenour, Million Mile Driver

Stevens’ worry-free program provided Greg with a business-savvy team that supported him and did what was necessary to ensure his success as a business owner. Recently, he received his third lease completion check in the amount of $11,730.90 and is already signing for his fourth lease! He plans on allocating part of his bonus to save for retirement and investing the rest.

Choose Where You Get CDL Training Wisely

Gregory said that he looked for three months at different CDL schools to attend after he received his CDL, and ultimately chose Stevens Transport. When asked about that choice, he attributed it to the intensity of the training program. “I wanted to make sure I got the best possible training I could get. Stevens is the Harvard and Yale of the trucking industry, so here I am.”

Loves Seeing the Country

One of the favorite parts of the job, according to Gregory, is being able to see all of the country points in the United States, including the Devil’s Slide in Morgan, Utah, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Montana. When asked why he enjoys these places, Gregory said, “I’m a country boy! I like the wild; I don’t really like the big city.”

Gregory wants anyone thinking about making a career change to truck driving to know that this is not a nine-to-five job. “This is a lifestyle, not a job. You may drive until four or five in the morning. You may start your day at one or two in the morning. It’s not nine-to-five, it’s a 24-hour thing.” He is thankful to have built solid friendships with drivers and corporate employees alike because it helps him feel like an integrated part of the Stevens family.

Congratulations on all your safe miles Gregory and we wish you continued success in the future!

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Fulfilling Childhood Dream of Being a Truck Driver

A doctor, scientist, teacher or lawyer. All common answers when a child is asked what they dream of being when they grow up. But if you were to ask young Ralph Jennings the same question, he would have said a truck driver.

“This job was always a childhood dream of mine,” Ralph said. With two uncles and a few cousins that were truck drivers while Ralph was growing up, he was always around the profession. “I wanted a career that would let me travel and see the scenery that the country has to offer, and truck driving fit that description perfectly.”

Ralph achieved his childhood dream once he received his CDL from Roadmaster in Dallas, TX. From there, Ralph continued his truck driver dream at Stevens. After only 90 days of solo driving,  Ralph decided that he was going to open his own trucking business with the help of our Alliance Contractor Division. In 2018, he purchased his first truck with Stevens and ever since has had continued success in his childhood dream. Today, Ralph has completed more than one million safe miles, joining a group of prestigious individuals at Stevens.

I would not be where I am today without the help of everyone at Stevens Transport.

– Ralph Jennings

“I would not be where I am today without the help of everyone at Stevens,” Ralph said. “My first trainer, William Duncan taught me everything I know. My Driver Manager, Joe Jenkins, has always had my back and been there for me whenever I needed him. Also, the planners, especially Tiffany Matthews, have always been nothing but great to me.”

Ralph has also pinpointed a few spots in the country that he always visits while he’s driving. “I have been to all 48 states while driving,” Ralph said. “I love Los Angeles, and I love Las Vegas because of all of the all-you-can-eat buffets. Tennessee also has some of my favorite places to eat, so I also love going there.”

While he is not driving, Ralph enjoys DJing at events or at a radio station in Florida. “I will call my old boss and I will ask if I can take some of his old shifts. If I’m not there, I love hosting parties for my families and friends and DJing there.”

Congratulations on all of your success Ralph and we wish you continued success at Stevens!

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Jesus Ortega Reflects On 25 Years of Driving

Jesus’ Trucking Career Began 25 Years Ago

It’s not easy for a driver to accomplish one million safe miles, let alone three million. However. Over-the-road driver Jesus Ortega has beat those odds. Jesus attended CDL training at Stevens Driving Academy in 1994, then transitioned into a trainer role, and stayed as a company driver ever since, driving all around the great United States. When Jesus first came to Stevens, he only had intentions to stay until he had enough money for college. But after having some amazing experiences driving, Jesus decided to make a career out of trucking.

When asked to describe Jesus, Vice President of Driver Relations and Administration Angela Aaron Horowitz said,

Jesus is a very tenacious, smart, and hardworking businessman. It takes a very unique person to make it as a professional driver, and Jesus fits that mold with precision and perfection.”

– Angela Aaron Horowitz, Vice President of Driver Relations & Administration

Other coworkers described Jesus as dedicated, on the go, and a family man.

Driven To Provide For His Family

Speaking of his family, when Jesus isn’t delivering his loads, he loves spending time with his wife, 24-year-old son, and 14-year-old daughter. When asked about his favorite part of the job, Jesus said that “You get to take time off anywhere you want”. Because of this, Jesus has been able to take his family on the road with him and explore his favorite places, which include New York City and Washington, D.C. When asked if any of his family was planning on following in his footsteps, Jesus said no, but that “he works hard so they don’t have to”.

Congratulations to Jesus! All of us at Stevens Transport wish you safe travels!

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Stevens Transport driver Floyd Jones Sr. recently retired after 32 years of service to the company at age 74. The veteran driver logged more than 5.5 million miles over the course of his driving career with no major Department of Transportation accidents. Stevens Transport, the largest refrigerated trucking company in Texas and North America’s premier multi-modal, temperature-controlled freight carrier, recognized and honored Jones at a company-wide retirement celebration this month.

His passion and love for his career has left an indelible mark at Stevens, and he leaves an incredible legacy in the industry.

– Angela Aaron Horwitz, Vice President
Stevens Transport, Inc.

Floyd has been part of our family for 32 years here at Stevens Transport and is a true legend,” said Angela Aaron Horowitz, Vice President of Stevens Transport, Inc. “Not only is he among the top percentage of excellent professional drivers, but Floyd has trained hundreds of generational drivers for our company. His passion and love for his career has left an indelible mark at Stevens, and he leaves an incredible legacy in the industry.

Trucking is like a relationship. You get out of it what you put into it. I put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

– Floyd Jones, Sr.Retired After 32 Years of Driving

According to Jones, “Trucking is like a relationship. You get out of it what you put into it. I put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.” He advises new drivers to “Pick up on time. Deliver on time. Have a positive attitude and be honest with everyone, including yourself. Know that this career is one that you truly want. Not one you think you might want. You better love it. If you love it, you will do it right.”

Hopefully with all the places he has seen driving across the country over the past 32 years, he has figured out the perfect spot to retire and enjoy his free time.

– Zoe Bracey, Plant Logistics Manager
General Mills Convenience Foodservice

Plant Logistics Manager for General Mills Convenience & Foodservice, Zoe Bracey, who is one of Stevens Transport’s long-term clients, sang Jones’s praises. “Floyd was such a pleasure to work with. He was so energetic and always willing to go above and beyond. Not many drivers come around like Floyd. He was a fantastic representative of Stevens Transport, and we are sorry to see him go. Hopefully, with all the places he has seen driving across the country over the past 32 years, he has figured out the perfect spot to retire and enjoy his free time.”

Happy Retirement Floyd from your Stevens Transport Family!

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Congratulations to John M. Nelson, our most recent Million Mile driver at Stevens Transport. We had a chance to catch up with him last week when was in Dallas. John is the kind of person that, after spending five minutes with, you feel like you’ve been lifelong friends. After trying a variety of careers, he decided to get started in the trucking industry. “My goal was to find something that I could do really well for ten whole years. And after trying several other things, I’m so glad I found Stevens Transport”.

After just a short time on the road, John was able to become a highly successful driver in our Contractor Division. We wanted to know why he was able to make the transition so quickly. “Stevens Transport taught me how to do the job right. In most careers, you fake it until you make it – or you fake it until you fail. Stevens Transport is a great training company. They left no stone unturned – they taught me how to do the job properly”.

“As a driver, there’s a lot more to just sitting in the seat. My Trainer taught me road etiquette, controlling the equipment, and being a safe operator. And just as important – he taught me how to do the paperwork correctly. Because that’s the way you get paid.”

John is 64 now and enjoying his time on the road every day. “I just wish I had learned this sooner because I would have been successful even longer!” Everyone at Stevens Transport is proud to have you on the Team.

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Trucking School Graduate Finds His Home With Stevens

Steve Plott was looking for a new career, after doing high-rise construction most of his life. He made the decision to try his hand at truck driving and attended a truck driving school in Texas, where he obtained his CDL and a love for being on the road. Upon graduation, Steve landed at Stevens Transport. Nine years and one million miles later, he has found a home at the company that gave him his start.

Steve enjoys the support system in place for drivers and says that Stevens has set him up to be successful due to the emphasis on safety, and the wealth of training offered by the company. He enjoys what he does, and the people at Stevens who make his job as easy and stress-free as possible. When asked if there was a particular memory at Stevens that stands out for Steve, he replied “No. I love them all”.

Steve looks back on coming to Stevens as the best decision he has made in his career, and being recognized for driving one million miles with the company is something he says he will never forget. He looks forward to the next 9 years and another million miles.

Ready to Drive for Stevens Transport?

Do you have the drive to earn a great living and keep America strong? Stevens Transport offers incredible driving job opportunities for CDL drivers of all experience levels, including company-sponsored CDL training for those just beginning a truck career.

Drive For Stevens

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Driver Credits The Independence of A Trucking Career

Frank Nagley just received his 3 million mile award from Stevens Transport! Frank has been with the company for an incredible 26 years and continues to fuel forward with us behind him every mile.

Frank started his driving career with Stevens Transport 26 years ago when we were still located in the old building. He stepped foot on a trainer’s truck to begin his training when he arrived and never looked back – especially after the great training and superior equipment he was provided!

They’re good family people. The reason I stayed here so long is the support from the family. Through the ups and downs, I’ve been treated very fairly and they stood behind me in every aspect of my job.

– Frank Nagley

Frank suggests that you do not treat your job as just a paycheck. Put into it what you want out of it and you will be successful. Before he joined Stevens, Frank worked in the fast food and restaurant industries but wanted to try something different.

He wanted his independence to be out in the open, to himself, as a free businessman – and truck driving gave him just that! Frank enjoys being able to wake up on a different day at a different time and going all over the country to see different sights.

Frank exclaims about driving for Stevens Transport, “If you want your independence, especially when you’re young and starting out, it’s the perfect place for you!”

Congratulations for reaching 3 million safe miles and thank you for 26 dedicated years! The teams at Stevens Transport are behind you every mile!

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Louis Wright Finds Success In Truck Driving Career

Stevens company driver Louis Wright went to Houston Community College CDL School before starting his driving career at Stevens Transport almost 11 years ago. Louis just received an award for reaching an incredible one million safe miles with us!

Before driving for Stevens Transport, he suffered many layoffs with a previous employer and was ready for something more stable. Now, as a Stevens Company Driver of over 10 years, Louis is enjoying seeing the results of what he sets out to deliver. He loves the feeling he gets when he delivers a load successfully!

Being with the same company for years is a major accomplishment for him and he appreciates the consistency that Stevens upholds. Driving for Stevens Transport has allowed Louis to build a steady, enjoyable career that he loves!

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Driver Don Smith Attributes Safety Success To CDL Training Process

Don Smith started driving a truck for Stevens Transport in April of 2000. He recently received his 2 Million Mile award and credits his success to following Stevens’ superior training. It was a couple of weeks after going on his own that Don realized just how important the training is. He now understands that the training is not for Stevens as a company but for the driver.

Stick to the training. It will work.

– Don Smith

Don learned that truck driving school taught him enough to get his license, but Stevens taught him how to drive a truck. They first offer you a job, then the offer you a career. They even teach you how to run a business.

After seeing all Stevens offers drivers, he knows he will never drive for anyone else. Stevens has everything any driver needs. He loves saying, “If you enjoy your work, you will never work a day of your life.”

Find out more about driving for Stevens Transport.

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Achieved 2 million Safe Miles With Stevens Transport

Despite dealing with health issues that forced him to take a year off, Robert Jeffers came back healthy and ready to roll again! He couldn’t wait to get back to his Stevens family. He has been in remission for 14 years now and continues to fuel his success on the open road.

Robert attended Stevens Driving Academy when he started, where his skills and passion for the industry flourished. He felt that the valuable time his trainers spent with him was the key to his success because it gave him the drive and confidence to keep going, as well as provided the skillsets needed to handle any issues that may arise when out on the road.

The safety training protects your career. After that, everything else falls into place. I suggest drivers follow all regulations to keep the truck rolling down the road safely – safety comes first.

– Robert Jeffers

To this day, when Robert sees one of his trainers, he makes sure to greet them with a hug and a meal to thank them for all they taught him. And as a trainer himself, nothing makes him prouder than seeing one of his drivers being successful. Robert appreciates how honest his Driver Managers are when communicating with him and how the owners treat drivers like family.

Congratulations and thank you for your dedication, Robert!
We appreciate you and are behind you every mile!

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