Hold the line: G&D/Hoffman celebrates significance amid trying times

COAL CITY, Illinois—These are trying times, for the country as a whole and the trucking industry. But G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation isn’t standing down—or scaling back on its now-iconic employee appreciation event.

The 16th edition of the annual celebration, which is unrivaled among tank truck carriers, featured food and drinks, fun activities for employees and their families, recognitions and awards for years of service and career miles, a keynote address from Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow, a performance by Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox, and a powerful message from G&D/Hoffman leadership about ‘holding the line’ amid unprecedented circumstances.

“It’s no secret that this industry—and many industries for the matter—are experiencing economic challenges, with uncertainty, a weird job market, and a soft business environment, that are putting a lot of teams, individuals, and organizations to the test,” said Jordan Hoffman, G&D/Hoffman vice president. “But I want to be clear about something: This isn’t a moment that we need to be retreating. This is a moment for resolve. In times like this, there’s a lot of temptation to scale back, to be reactive, take away from our proactive approach, and just deal with the handed results. But great companies are not built on hesitation. They’re built on conviction.

“They’re built up by people with great work ethic—who bring it every single day.”

Kevin Hoffman, G&D/Hoffman president and CEO, acknowledged the difficulties, particularly in his company’s liquid chemicals business, which he said has been “really depressed.” But the three-time National Tank Truck Carriers North American safety champion never considered cancelling the event, he added. “Times would have to get really bad before we do that,” Kevin told Bulk Transporter. “Beyond the safety of what we do every day, and taking care of our employees and customers, this is the most important thing we do, and it means a lot to me and our family to be able to get together with everybody there.”

See also: G&D/Hoffman keeps a close eye on safety

This year’s Sept. 20 event at G&D/Hoffman’s Coal City warehouse boasted 1,800 attendees, including Matt Wise, Great West Casualty Company manager of risk control services, and Kim Beck, Cottingham & Butler senior vice president—who presented critical information to employees—drivers, warehouse workers, and technicians; and representatives from valued customers like PureCycle Technologies, which makes recycled plastic pellets.

“They’ve been a strategic partner,” said Ryan Chambers, PureCycle director of supply chain. “They’re someone I can call up almost any day of the week, if I’ve got a problem or a question or just an area where I don’t have expertise, and I know they’re going to take the time to help me brainstorm it, figure it out, and provide solutions. It’s a level of service I haven’t run into in a lot of places. So, it was important for me to come here and honor those relationships.

“This is a big deal to them. And I felt like it’d be a good time to really connect with them on a different level.”

Holding the line

The bulk/tank segment has fared better than the overall trucking industry amid a historically long freight recession, but it hasn’t gone unscathed. Rising equipment costs, lingering overcapacity, and legislative and regulatory uncertainty—particularly in regard to tariffs—are making planning difficult for everyone. But there’s a fine line between optimizing operations for now, perhaps by “rightsizing,” and staying ready for the upswing that’s coming.

For G&D/Hoffman leaders, the choice is clear—they must “hold the line.”

“Holding the line means staying true to our core values, investing in the strategic relationships that will carry us forward, and keeping our eyes on the horizon, even when times are tough,” Jordan said. “We know better days are coming, and when they do, it will be those who doubled down, stood firm in their strategic vision, and stayed calm and united, who will be ready to lead the way.”

Tebow, the latest in a string of high-profile speakers at G&D/Hoffman events—including legendary Blue Angels pilot John Foley, Folds of Honor founder and CEO Dan Rooney, SEAL Team Six member Robert O’Neill, and peak performance coach Ben Newman—incorporated the theme into his moving presentation, highlighting the critical roles of inspirational leadership, belief in the mission, passion for the work, compassion for people, and maintaining perspective in ensuring fleeting emotions or immediate pressures don’t distort decision-making.

“Every day, we’re supposed to fight to keep perspective, and if we really want to hold the line—and not just in our companies or our personal lives, but in every area of our lives—we have to fight to keep perspective, not just on success, but on significance,” Tebow maintained.

See also: G&D/Hoffman’s 2024 appreciation event

For Jerry Curl, G&D/Hoffman chief operating officer, holding the line requires a mindset based on accountability, discipline, faith, and at least one emotion—a feeling of gratitude, which is highly contagious. “You’re the best of the best,” he told employees. “You’ve chosen to be the best of the best in everything you do, every mile you drive, every part you turn, every haul you measure, and every load you help deliver.

“But remember this: Emotions become your beliefs, beliefs become your thoughts, thoughts become your actions, actions become your habits—and habits become your identity.”

Their combined words—backed by G&D/Hoffman’s actions—were well-received.

“Hold the line means following our procedures and doing it the way Kevin has proven is the way to success—not taking any shortcuts, following policies, following practices, and doing it the right way every time, from the word go to the end of the day,” said Bill McNamee, who joined the company last year after previously driving for Carbon Express and Kenan Advantage Group.

“Hold the line means doing it right, not because you must, but because you want to.”

Appreciation with conviction

Tebow’s appearance was preceded by extensive recognition of employees past and present, and those who recently passed.

Recent accolades for G&D/Hoffman employees include Bruce Jones securing the Illinois Trucking Association’s 2024 Driver of the Year award, Kenneth Tolliver claiming the Kentucky Trucking Association’s 2024 Driver of the Year title, Kyle Applebee earning Next Generation in Trucking Association Top Talent Diesel Technician recognition, and Christiaan Lawrence and John “Barney” Herr collecting Illinois Trucking Association Driver of the Month honors.

Tolliver—the 2022-23 NTTC Tank Truck Driver of the Year—Dane Couture, Paul Dyer, Rodger Freese, Chuck Grumieaux, Scott Hester, Rick Jeffries, and Doug Stuppy celebrated 10 years of service with G&D/Hoffman; Guillermo “Memo” Balbuena, Tony Capodice, Rick Huseman, and Mark Turner reached 15 years of service; and Tony Savovic hit 25 years.

Additionally, Dan Edgcomb, Mike Garbe, Jeff Reeder, and Tommy Russell achieved 1 million miles with G&D/Hoffman; Terry Kennedy surpassed 3 million miles; and Ron Baird—the 2020-21 NTTC Driver of the Year—attained 4 million miles.

Every honoree received a plaque and shook hands with Jordan and Kevin on stage.

“Honestly, I’m blown away by this event,” Chambers concluded. “You don’t see this everywhere. They even had their risk and casualty provider come in and talk to the group. I don’t know if any other transportation company does that. But Jordan Hoffman said it best: ‘Hesitation doesn’t build great companies. Conviction does.’ And these guys have conviction. Hoffman is a high-integrity partner, and it shows in this event and how they treat their employees.”