Charles Smith has been named the 2023 DMC Insurance Driver of the Year. All of our insureds were given the opportunity to nominate up to three drivers for this recognition. Charles was deservedly selected as the winning driver by our judging committee, comprised of external and internal trucking industry experts. DMC presents the award annually to a driver from our insured portfolio based on their driving record, mentorship within their company, and service in support of the industry and their community. DMC was proud to recognize Charles by hosting an appreciation ceremony at his home terminal in Cleveland, TN. The event and award celebrate Charles’ exceptional commitment to safety with several noteworthy accomplishments, including an impressive track record of driving nearly 3 million miles. While all of the candidates were impressive, Charles’ long driving history and dedication to teaching others in the profession set him apart. Charles served our country for 20 years in the U.S. Army and was a driver trainer and instructor for the majority of that time. Additionally, he has been a driver trainer at FirstFleet for 22 years, educating drivers about safe driving practices and customer service. He is meticulous in his approach to his work and was selected as a 2023-2024 Tennessee Road Team Captain, through which he has begun to teach the next generation of truck drivers. His 40+ years in the industry, mentorship to FirstFleet’s driver base, and continuous service to his country and community represent exactly the type of candidate we aim to honor through this award.
Pictured from left to right: John Cole, Nominator and Director of Safety at FirstFleet; Phil Thompson, Risk Engineer at DMC; Charles Smith, Driver of the Year; Vikas Shah, EVP of Marketing & Analytics at DMC; Heather Halmi, Director of Marketing at DMC; Joe Zinn, Terminal Manager at FirstFleet
After the award presentation, Charles’ co-workers took the opportunity to congratulate him, sharing heartfelt stories from their time working together. These anecdotes highlighted his attention to detail, unwavering commitment to safety practices, and giving nature. Through his mentorship and dedication, Charles has positively impacted the professional growth of numerous drivers for over two decades.
Charles’ nominator, John Cole, said, “Charles has a heart for teaching and a remarkable safety record. He really loves working with people and always has a smile on his face. He was my first choice for the nomination.”
In addition to co-workers, executives from both companies spoke about Charles’ exceptional driving record and commitment to his country, family, and employer. Vikas Shah, EVP of Marketing & Analytics at DMC said, “We honor so many drivers that are unsung heroes. Year after year, they do their jobs with commitment, consistency, and character. Charles is one of those drivers that we want to celebrate. He exemplifies why we created this award.”
When asked about his driving career, Charles remarked, “What I love about being a truck driver is the freedom that you get while you’re in the truck and on the road. You’re like the captain of a ship. This is my ship, and I’m the captain. Whatever happens, I’m responsible for it.”
The celebration concluded with a catered lunch for the entire company, provided by DMC.
Congratulations, Charles, and thank you for your dedication to safe driving!
We were extremely impressed with the caliber of drivers that were nominated by our insureds. Each one deserves recognition for their hard work, safe driving, and commitment to the trucking industry. Thank you to all nominators that took the time to submit a candidate and share their stories.