Continental Express is proud to announce their 2024 Drivers of the Year!
In Continental’s fifth year of its Driver of the Year program, seven hard-working company drivers were honored for delivering outstanding safety, service, and communication.
The Driver of the Year winners are determined in a thorough selection process. First, all operations staff (fleet managers to accounting specialists) at Continental are encouraged to nominate a driver they have witnessed going above and beyond in the previous year. There are six categories of which they can make a nomination: Over The Road (OTR) Driver of the Year, Dedicated Driver of the Year, Local Driver of the Year, Most Improved Driver of the Year, “Rookie” Driver of the Year, and the Extra Mile award.
Once all nominations are collected, the safety department provides data on each nominee including their recent safety record and miles ran in the previous year. The data and testimonies of the driver’s hard work from their nominators guide the decision-making process.
Here are the 2024 winners:
2024 OTR Driver of the Year: Kelly Whiten
Gaffney, South Carolina-based driver Kelly Whiten has over 25 years of experience at Continental Express.
2024 Dedicated Driver of the Year: Ann Cleverly
Utah-based dedicated driver Ann Cleverly
2024 Local Driver of the Year: Duane Lillard
Based out of Continental Express’ corporate terminal in Sidney, OH, Duane Lillard is one of two Local Drivers of the Year for 2024
2024 Local Driver of the Year: Rick Hollensteiner
Michigan-based driver Rick Hollensteiner has over 16 years of experience at Continental Express
2024 Most Improved Driver of the Year: Demarlon James
Demarlon runs out of Continental Express’ Fort Worth terminal
2024 “Rookie” Driver of the Year: Jeff Jones
Running out of Sidney, OH, Jeff started with Continental Express in the summer of 2023
2024 Extra Mile Award: Benaiah Frazee
Ben Frazee is based out of our Indianapolis, IN terminal and is a graduate of Continental Express Commercial Driving Academy
