COAL CITY, Illinois—Mother Nature refused to cooperate with G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation’s best-laid plans for their annual employee appreciation event. Scheduled appearances by special guest Derek Barrs, FMCSA’s new administrator, and keynote speaker Mike Eruzione, captain of the gold medal-winning 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, both were nixed by inclement weather that affected their travel plans; and rain arrived at G&D/Hoffman’s Coal City warehouse just as country music star Easton Corbin took the parking-lot stage.

But company leaders didn’t panic. They pivoted—just like they always do.

Destination employer

More than 1,200 people still showed up for the 17th edition of the annual event, timed to coincide with American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which ran Sept. 13-19. In addition to a variety of food and entertainment for G&D/Hoffman employees and their families, this year’s festivities included a breakdown of the many benefits that help make the carrier a destination employer with the lowest turnover in the industry, an address from National Tank Truck Carriers President and CEO Ryan Streblow, and numerous awards and recognitions for long-time team members and the recently departed.

Kevin Hoffman, G&D/Hoffman president—who returned from major heart surgery last Christmas Eve to emcee the event—thanked Golden and his 13-person team for coordinating the celebration, and holding it together amid uncooperative circumstances; and a collection of 28 vendors and other organizations, including the Coal City Police Department.

“I have been very blessed in my life,” Kevin said. “First with my family, and then all of you here. We have such a wonderful group of people who truly care about what they do, and all of their families.

“Thank you for being here today. We appreciate every one of you.”

Unmatched benefits

Two years ago, in Bulk Transporter’s coverage of G&D/Hoffman’s third NTTC safety championship in seven years, the carrier reported a lifetime turnover rate under 3% in over 40 years in business—and less than 1% in 2022 and 2023 combined. And it’s easy to understand why while taking in the tank truck industry’s largest employee appreciation event, speaking to the company’s well-compensated and highly credentialed drivers—including three NTTC Professional Tank Truck Drivers of the Year in the last six years—and learning about the myriad benefits available to G&D/Hoffman’s valued employees and families.

The mid-sized dry bulk specialist spent over $3 million on medical, dental, and vision coverage last year, according to Eddie Rios, Cottingham & Butler vice president, who spoke at the event. Most employees pay between $2,400 to $12,000 a year for medical coverage, he said. G&D/Hoffman employees pay nothing for complete health care coverage, disability insurance—and a host of other benefits.

“In my line of work, I visit with a lot of motor carriers, and see a lot of different benefit programs,” Rios shared. “I’ve seen very few who are willing to invest in their people the way Hoffman does.”

Curl conducted an on-stage question-and-answer session with Dr. Tom Antkowiak and Jason Adolph, the director of employer services for the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, which delivers no-cost orthopedic care for G&D/Hoffman employees and families, as well as advisory services and expedited access that aims to slash health care-system red tape. Workplace chaplain Jim Revelle highlighted the support provided by his organization, the Corporate Chaplains of America; and Matt Wise, director of risk control at Great West—G&D/Hoffman’s commercial vehicle insurer—emphasized the importance of elite mentorship in safe operations, and praised the carrier’s elite performance standard and industry-best loss ratios.

“This is a great organization,” Wise concluded. “People really do look up to you.”

The industry’s ‘unicorn’

Streblow praised G&D/Hoffman’s distinct “family touch” and said its ability to sustain excellence is a rarity among even the industry’s top companies, pointing to their combined six Heil and Usher trophies—all won in the last nine years—as clear evidence of the carrier’s greatness.

These triumphs depend on the entire organization’s support, Streblow noted, from dispatchers and terminal managers to the technicians turning wrenches and cleaning tanks behind the scenes. He also lauded Kevin Hoffman and Curl for their relentless advocacy and recalled how veteran driver Bill McNamee aptly dubbed G&D/Hoffman the industry’s “unicorn.”

Shifting to the broader landscape, Streblow acknowledged current headwinds, but expressed optimism about the regulatory environment—and credited those in attendance with pushing the industry forward.

“There are a few challenges out there, and the economy is a little sluggish, but that will come around,” he said. “And I firmly believe we’re seeing some bright stars and upticks that will point us in the right direction.”

A hardware heavy-haul

The celebration culminated with an awards ceremony led by Kevin and Jordan Hoffman. They opened by welcoming 25 new hires—including VP of Business Development Nick Stoutenburg—and honoring the families of two recently passed teammates, Clifford L. Beers and Fred Sweet, who combined for 35 years of service.

G&D/Hoffman then reviewed its extraordinary hardware haul, which included taking home the 2025 Ravago Americas Dedicated Carrier of the Year, the Illinois Trucking Association (ITA) Large Motor Carrier of the Year, and fleet safety honors from the Indiana and Tennessee trucking associations.

“This shows how many elite people we have within this company,” Kevin said.

Individual milestones were equally impressive. James Spicer eclipsed 1 million safe miles, and Jeremy Herman earned an ITA Driver of the Month nod. The carrier highlighted the members of its ITA Truck Driving Championship small-team winner (John Herr, Herman, Bill McNamee, Bruce Jones, Tom Dees, and Bruce Brooks); Indiana Driver of the Year Ron Baird; ATA America’s Road Team Captain Kenneth Tolliver; and reigning NTTC Driver of the Year Bruce Jones, who added a TA Citizen Driver award.

To recognize loyal service, the company distributed plaques and bonus checks up to $7,500. Top honorees included Mark Hall (25 years, nearly 5 million safe miles), Curl (30 years), and 35-year stalwarts Scott Cipov and Trudy Phillips. The carrier also celebrated 10-year (Bryan Avelar, Bob Bayless, Vince Cooper, Rudy Ochoa, Chris Boland, George Brooks, Jack Soulsby, Ed Tipping, Nate VanDerMale, Jeremy Lockas), 15-year (Andrew Braga, Marissa Mortensen, Paul Poppleton, Ron Lembke, Ricky Wallace, Reed Hadley, Jake Lestina, Herr, John Scharf), and 20-year milestones (Kevin Enright, Dale Schott, Tim Wilkinson, Terry Kennedy).

“Let’s be clear: we don’t do this to get recognized or win awards,” Jordan concluded. “The awards are achieved, and the recognition is given, because of the culture of this great organization. They are a result of great teams, and a great team is made up of great individuals who have embraced the culture this company was built on—and continues to thrive on each year. Congratulations to everyone who’s been recognized. It’s very well deserved—and I know there are many more celebrations to come as we continue to move forward.”