Presence of Greatness: G&D/Hoffman honors Usher winners

Ron Baird and Kenneth Tolliver are the only National Tank Truck Carriers Professional Drivers of the Year from the same carrier.

To celebrate the historic achievement and document their motivational messages for drivers entering the tank truck industry and weary veterans rolling down the road, G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation recently hosted its William A. Usher Sr. trophy winners in Channahon, Illinois, where Bulk Transporter (via video call) helped document the special occasion that included a podcast recording and photo shoot.

“I’m in the presence of greatness,” said Jerry Curl, G&D/Hoffman chief operating officer. “It’s a privilege.

“No other company in North America has achieved that honor.”

Baird, 79, claimed the title in 2020-21, the year after the program was suspended due to the pandemic. Tolliver, 57, secured the 2022-23 award, giving G&D/Hoffman drivers top honors in two of the last three years.

Together, they boast more than 10 million accident-free miles.

“When you combine their efforts, it’s unmatchable in the industry,” Curl said.

Baird could have gone out like a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Driver of the Year recognition as the crowing achievement of a 57-year career. Instead, he’s still going, with 8 million safe miles as the new goal.

He was “only” 300,000 miles away as of March.

“As long as I can keep getting in that truck, I’m going to keep driving,” he said. “I love it. Too many people retire and just fall apart.

“I enjoy what I do every day, so why quit?”

Tolliver is happy he’s still here. The Tennessee native credits Baird for helping him edge out last year’s group of champion finalists. “I’m glad I have him in my corner as a friend, a co-worker, and fellow ambassador to this industry,” Tolliver said. “It’s truly amazing. And the knowledge he’s given me, even after I won the award [is invaluable]. We still talk every week about different things, what’s going on at work, the Annual Conference coming up in May, and going to Vegas … and passing the torch on.”

He also insists their success is a product of the company’s culture, which starts with Kevin Hoffman, G&D/Hoffman president. “We’ve set the bar so high internally that our standards are clear,” Curl agreed. “So when we hire professionals, they hold themselves to those standards. They know they’re non-negotiable.”

G&D/Hoffman, in turn, holds onto drivers—with an annual turnover rate of less than 3%.

“When we offer a job to someone, it’s an invitation to join our family,” Curl attested. “We hire you to retire you.”