Mark Goforth has been named Ruan Transportation Management Systems’ 2012 Driver of the Year after being selected from a pool of more than 4,200 professional drivers.
Goforth, who operates out of Ruan’s Topeka, KS, terminal, has been with Ruan since 2005 and has logged more than 1.5 million miles during his 15 years as a professional truck driver.
“It’s a huge honor, and I’m pretty proud of it,” Goforth said. “I feel honored that the people above me thought enough of me to put me in this position.”
Ruan is a dedicated contract carriage and logistics management company headquartered in Des Moines, IA. The company began the search for its Driver of the Year when 150 drivers from Ruan’s 260 terminals were named region finalists based on length of service, safety, driving records and exceptional customer service.
Region vice presidents then narrowed the field further to 14 region winners, who traveled to Des Moines with a guest July 16-18 for an award ceremony and other festivities. Out of the 14 region winners, Ruan’s senior leaders selected Goforth.
“Each of you is an outstanding performer,” said Ruan President and CEO Steve Chapman at the award ceremony Wednesday at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. “You consistently exceed our safety and service standards to meet the needs of our customers. This recognition is our way of honoring your dedication, professionalism and ongoing commitment to Ruan and our valued customers.”
Each region winner was awarded a trophy and cash prize at the ceremony. Goforth, who hauls for Ruan customer Target Corporation, was honored with a trophy, a cash prize and the 2012 Driver of the Year title.
The Driver of the Year award ceremony coincides with Ruan’s annual Founder’s Days events, where the company celebrates the work ethic and philanthropic spirit of its founder, John Ruan, throughout the month of July.
“It was 81 years ago when Ruan Transport was the promising business of one determined, hard-working driver—John Ruan,” Chapman said. “Mr. Ruan absolutely understood from day one that without the company’s professional class of drivers, it would not exist.”