2015
Employee News MESILLA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION V O L U M E
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9525 Escobar Dr. 3590 West Picacho Ave. El Paso, TX 79907 Las Cruces, NM. 88007 T- 915-872-2250 T-575- 524-2835
I S S U E
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3750 Stewarts Lane Nashville, TN 37218 T-615 627-5117
M A R C H - A P R I L
901 Carriers Dr. Laredo, TX 78045 T 956 717-9849
10210 N Vancouver Portland, OR 97217 T 503 286-6110
www.m-v-t.com
M A R C H –
Employee News
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I would like to begin by thanking everyone for the warm welcome to MVT. I would like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about myself.
Newest member of our MVT TEAM
Blair Ewell COO
Chief Operating Officer
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Insider Letter
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NMSU
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Flick of a Switch
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Mini Golf
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Effective
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Communication Ways to Save
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Driver Day
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As most of you know, I joined MVT in February. What a great company we work for! I am impressed by the strong family environment as well as by all of the talented people who work here. My wife, Missy, and I are excited to get settled in and call El Paso home. We have four children, Izaak, Jake, Connor and a daughter, Tatum. Tatum is the only one left in the house and will be beginning kindergarten this fall. I got my start in transportation in 1985 with Ryder Freight Systems as a Check Call Clerk. I worked nights and was responsible for issuing check calls and Comcheks. Back then, everything was done manually. We also didn’t have cell phones or in-cab communications, so the drivers had to call in twice a day. As you know, those functions are much easier nowadays! Ryder shut down the division in Salt Lake, so I took a position with C.R. England as a load planner. They agreed to hire me knowing that I was heading into the Army and I really enjoyed my time working with them. I spent 3 years in the Army stationed at Ft. Bliss. I was always out on assignments so I didn’t get to spend much time in the city itself. After the military, I went to work for Dick Simon Trucking in Salt Lake City where I spent 8 years working my way up from a Fleet Manager, to the Dedicated Ops Manager and then to Terminal Manager. During my time at Dick Simon, we went from a privately owned company with 250 trucks to publicly owned company with 2500 trucks. Unfortunately, a few costly accidents resulted in the company filing for Bankruptcy and it was purchased by Jerry Moyes, the owner of Swift Transportation. I spent the next 13 years with Swift, moving several times with the company in order to take on bigger challenges. In 2013, I accepted a position as Senior Vice President of Operations at Interstate Distributing Company in Tacoma Washington. Interstate was failing and had recently purchased a private equity company that specialized in shipping but had never owned any trucks. It was losing $20 million per year and needed a lot of work in order to recuperate. I am very proud of the fact that we were able to turn that company around in just 2 years. That tells me that our industry is very strong and when we are operating efficiently, we can be extremely profitable. Though I have worked in the transportation industry for quite a long time now, the team here at MVT is one of the strongest I have ever worked with. I am really excited to see how much we can accomplish this year. Some of you have heard me refer to my “Trust Cards” and I hope to expose everyone to the book “The Speed of Trust.” The reason I personally use those cards is to remind myself that without trust, everything slows down. When an organization lacks trust, you see things like committees being created, decisions being made, lack of follow through and something called “analysis paralysis” which is where everyone is attempting to determine what the truth really is. There are 5 waves of Trust: Self Trust, Relationship Trust, Organizational Trust, Market Trust and Societal Trust. Over time I will elaborate more on each of those and help MVT get to the point where these types of trust are incorporated into our everyday practices. Our managers are currently reading a book called “The 4 Disciplines of Execution.” This book is like a play book to get us to the next level. What good football team plays without having a playbook or without a good strategy? None! All teams have special plays written down so each member knows their part in each play. The quarterback calls out the play and every person moves in harmony to execute the play. The strategy and talent of the organization determines how big we will win. All talent and no strategy does not guarantee a win, just as all strategy and no talent will also not result in a win. Trust also plays a part in this strategy because we need to trust our teammates to perform their parts in each play. These are the reasons I focus on talent, maintaining high trust and having a strategy. I know that this team is ready to take MVT to the next level and I am glad to be part of it.
Missy (Wife) and Tatum (youngest Daughter)
Sincerely,
P.S. I have an open door policy, I am open to suggestions from each and every one of you. Please feel free to stop by my office anytime.
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NMSU to award Las Cruces businessman honorary doctorate By Jane Moorman http://www.elpasoproud.com/news/local-news/nmsu-to-award-las-cruces-businessman-honorary-doctorate
New Mexico State University will recognize Royal Jones with an honorary doctorate during the spring 2015 commencement ceremony May 9. Jones, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Las Cruces, is the owner of more than 14 companies, including Mesilla Valley Transportation, and employs more than 2,500 people. “Royal is a true entrepreneur. He started with two semi-trucks and now owns a fleet, as well as two dealerships,” said NMSU President Garrey Carruthers. “He is strongly committed to NMSU and, in particular, to providing the resources needed for student athletes to be the most competitive in intercollegiate athletics.” He has supported NMSU for more than 25 years by mentoring students, showing up for football practice, where he encourages student-athletes, and personally funding a number of initiatives across campus. Jones has generously given to major NMSU projects such as Pan American Center seating and the renovation of the Coca-Cola Weight Training Center. The Coca-Cola Center is a resource that helps all 17 athletics teams remain competitive on the field and boosts recruitment efforts. The entrepreneur also takes time to mentor young professionals in the Las Cruces area. He shares a candid perspective and passionate testimony that is infectious and inspirational.
Royal Jones (Left) and NMSU President Garrey Carruthers (Right) EMPLOYEE
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VOLUME
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ISSUE
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With the Flick of a Switch
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Article written by: MVT’s Training Department
Many times when I walk around the El Paso yard, drivers will give me a friendly greeting. Yet, others will stop me and allow me to learn a thing or two not only about where they just came from or where they’re going, but rather how they got here or how they plan to get to where they are going. Some of their experiences allowed me to really think about what drivers face out on the road and how the situation they are facing can turn against them very quickly. One concern from drivers that has been catching my attention recently is that drivers seem to tell me that they were involved in situations where they thought they were going to get stuck in dirt or mud or they felt their drive tires were slipping on ice that wasn’t on the ground when they first parked. I didn’t really think anything like this was out of the norm since we have just been through a winter season that has seen its fair share of thunderstorms, four major blizzards, and icing over most of the East and Midwest United States. Yet, I remembered that there was a way to prevent drivers from becoming stationary in these situations. I remembered a special switch located in the control panel to the right of the steering wheel in the cab of each of our MVT trucks that might just save a driver from needing a tow. This switch is labeled “Diff Lock”, and as soon as it is activated, it will operate a feature formally named the differential lock on our truck drive tires that can make a world of difference. “What does the ‘Diff Lock’ do?” This was one question that I had when I took a tour of our trucks a while back. After I asked several other questions and took some time to put all the information together, I learned that a “Diff Lock” was a mechanism to make both rear drive tires of the truck spin the same direction at the same speed creating increased traction or positraction as it is called. I also learned that when the “Diff Lock” is applied, the rear airbags of the dead axle deflate, ultimately causing more weight from the trailer to be put on the rear drive axle of the truck. In the end, these two actions work in sync and cause the truck to gain an incredible amount of traction between the tires and the ground that leads to a lower chance of a driver becoming stuck and having to sit for valuable hours. Drivers can use the “Diff Lock” to their advantage in many situations, including one common scenario that I would like to address. As we move toward monsoon season, rains can be a big issue that most drivers will face at some point out on the road. When a driver needs to park to take a break, it is important to select a paved area rather than a surface covered with dirt or gravel. If faced with the situation that pavement is not an option, every effort should be made to find the optimal area to park the truck. The driver should take a look at all of their surroundings to determine if anything is a potential obstacle to their exit from the area or will become a problem later on. As a driver, it is smart to use the information that you have. If you know that it will rain overnight, then try to find an area where you know the truck will not sink into the mud and get stuck, causing you to call for a tow. Another example that I see happens frequently is that a driver will be traveling through areas where ice prevents many trucks from running smoothly and getting to their destination on time. If you know you will be going into these areas, try to find an area to park where ice will not hinder your movement. When you begin to leave your parking spot in these areas, be sure to use the “Diff Lock” to increase traction as you start driving so that you will have a greater chance of getting rolling again safely. In other words, think of the upcoming situation you will be facing ahead of time and adjust your habits to prevent you from getting into any situation where you will need a tow. Educating drivers and reminding them to put themselves in safe situations, as well as how and when to use the “Diff Lock,” is the first step toward realizing added benefits to both the drivers and the company. Many times, the cost to the company is very high to assist a truck when it is stuck. Drivers save time and earn more money by continuing to move and the company has the peace of mind knowing that the drivers will fully utilize the resources they have to avoid getting stuck and instead deliver the load to the final destination on time.
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EMPLOYEE
NEWS
Bataan Memorial Death March The Bataan Memorial Death March honors a special group of World War II heroes. These brave soldiers were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. The conditions they encountered and the aftermath of the battle were unique. They fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on half or quarter rations with little or no medical help. They fought with outdated equipment and virtually no air power.
On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. The Americans were Army, Army Air Corps, Navy and Marines. Among those seized were members of the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard.
www.bataanmarch.com
The Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University began sponsoring the memorial march in 1989 to mark a page in history that included so many native sons and affected many families in the state. In 1992, White Sands Missile Range and the New Mexico National Guard joined in the sponsorship and the event was moved to the Missile Range.
The March is a real challenge! The route starts at White Sands Missile Range and takes you on a dusty, sandy and hilly terrain, up and down a small mountain (26.2 mile route) and through the popular “sand pit”. Many come for the personal challenge, the spirit of competition or to foster the esprit de corps in their unit. Some March in honor of a family member or a particular veteran. Congratulations to the 25 employees from Mesilla Valley Transportation, JH Rose, R Leasing and Border International Trucks who did the 26th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March! Some did the full 26.2 miles and others did the 14.2 miles. This event is always special and fun for us to get together and do. Back in the day our very own Royal Jones, used to do the Bataan Memorial Death March in honor of his mom’s husband, Jim, who was in the real Bataan Death March when he was a prisoner of war. Now, Royal is a huge supporter of us doing the event every year. It’s an honor to be a part of an event that is dedicated to remembering this special group of heroes from the Bataan Death March. Many of those who come are also war veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. There is also a special group of amputees that do the event in honor of those that endured the great hardships as prisoners of war. While the march is still a military event, many civilians and athletes come to take advantage of the challenge and honor these veterans and shake the hands of the few survivors from the real Bataan Death March.
#GroupSelfie5am
**If you are interested in participating in the 2016 Bataan Memorial Death March Please contact Emily Roof , MVT covers all registration fees for MVT employees.**
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MVT’S Mini Golf and More Have you all noticed the greenery that has been added to the EL Paso terminal? Thanks to the creative mind of Allan Gattis and the Service Shop guys we now have a mini golf course! Mesilla Valley Transportation’s Mini Golf and More is a designated area at our El Paso Terminal for Drivers/Employees/Visitors to entertain themselves during a break or down time. Personnel interested in renting equipment to play in the designated area will need to go to the MVT Store located by the cafeteria in the El Paso Terminal. The Store attendant will have an Equipment Sign-Out Form that each individual will need to fill out per piece of equipment rented. An ID will be required and left with store attendant to rent any equipment. At the time of equipment returns the ID will then be returned to individual. All equipment must be returned to MVT Store Attendant before 4:00pm of each day (MondayFriday). Failure to return equipment will forfeit the individual’s ability to have their ID returned to them, and they will have to wait until 9am the following morning (Monday-Friday) to collect their ID Card. No exceptions. It is a privilege not a right to rent this equipment from MVT. Failure to abide by the rules can result in being banned to rent equipment for future use. Individual who rent out equipment assume responsibility for equipment’s condition and will accept any charges that go towards replacement or repair in the event that the equipment is lost or damaged. MVT’s Mini Golf and More is an area to entertain. Please be mindful of time of use with equipment and keep in mind that other individuals maybe waiting for a turn. Remember: Treat others how you’d like to be treated. If you have time make sure to go check it out!
EMPLOYEE
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Effective Communication: Training and Development MVT El Paso Article written by: MVT’s Training Department Communication it is a beautiful element in our everyday lives, but it can also be one of the most hindering at the same time. During February and March, we, as a company, ventured into the discovery of successful communication with Part 1: The Building Blocks of Communication and Part 2: Tone and Word Choice. Over 250 employees attended each segment between El Paso and Las Cruces! During Part 1 we started our journey with communication by examining the basics of communication and how we, as individuals, affect the communication process. We also discussed why it is important to communicate effectively and efficiently. We evaluated which elements go into a communication piece and that we also have choices on how our message travels, no matter if you are the sender or the receiver. We as communicators have several choices in regards to where, when, how, with whom and the words that are chosen to be shared during a conversation. No two conversations are the same, and we, as communicators, have to evaluate what the end goal is as well as how we will send the message so that the other person will understand and receive it as we hope for it to be received. We achieve this through self-evaluation and exploring what we, as individuals, can improve in order to relay the most impactful message while eliminating/ minimizing unwanted stress. Evaluating our communication process before, during and after using the GOOD/BAD/UGLY scale will help analyze the communication path and ensure that the other person understands our message. The UGLY refers to a conversation with someone in which we may have damaged the communication path. This can be done in several ways, such as using an inappropriate tone. UGLY communication can lead to an unhealthy relationship and may also result in a delay in the message relay from point A to point B. An example of the BAD would be trying to communicate a message verbally in an environment that is loud, such as the maintenance shop. Having a BAD communication path prohibits the message from getting from Point A to Point B because of the poor choice of location, words and/or tone used. Lastly, the GOOD is when we send a message from point A to point B and both the sender and the receiver of the message understand what information is being presented. Using The GOOD/BAD/UGLY scale as a self- evaluation tool during a communication exchange will help assist in the avoidance of any miscommunications and will continue to strengthen our communication, and in turn, will strengthen our relationships. During Part 2 of the communication training, we learned that tone and word choice are both vital in continuing to maintain successful communication relationships and fostering their strength. It is important to realize that tone is a vital element that we, as communicators, use to establish and evaluate first impressions. Your tone in a conversation can dictate how that relationship will be in the future. Once we, as the communicators, have established our tone, it is very important that the words we use are going to be understood. The amazing thing about communication is that no two situations are the same and there are no cookie-cutter phrases or responses that will fit into every situation to produce an identical outcome. That means we, as communicators, must work to provide the most efficient and effective message. We will never be perfect communicators, but we can take those BAD communication habits and turn them into a GOOD ones through our experiences and awareness. “Treat others how you want to be treated, but communicate to others how they NEED you to communicate to them.� -Author Unknown
Join US this SATURDAY April 18th at Red Hawk Golf Club for our first annual
TWILIGHT 5K Fun RUN! Benefiting the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley. Register at the link below: www.active.com/las-cruces-nm/running/distance-running-races/twilight-5k-fun-run-
People of all ages PLUS DOGS are welcome! Post run cook-out at 3PM with Music and Karaoke from Star Entertainment DJ, Plus bouncy house, Sumo wrestling ring and MORE! Don't Miss out! 7502 Red Hawk Golf Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico www.golflascruces.com
https://www.thehealthytrucker.net/114-truck-driver-tax-deductions/ As truck drivers, you fully understand the importance of planning ahead. A truck driver doesn’t just start out on a load without any idea where he’s going or what roads he’s going to take, does he? He doesn’t, and you shouldn’t start out on your taxes without any planning, either. Even though tax time is a ways away, you can begin preparing now. As with other jobs, truck drivers are eligible to claim a whole bunch of deductions on their taxes. If you opt for itemized deductions, you might be overlooking quite a few items you regularly purchase for your truck driving job that can be written off on your taxes. CDL Life put together this infographic on everyday items that truckers may be able to write off, and we
Simple Tax Deductions Truck Drivers Shouldn’t Miss! Transportation Expenses Air Fare Bus Fare Cab Fare/ Fees Hotels/ Motels Cleaning Supplies: Air Freshener Armor-All Broom, Dustpan Hand Sanitizer Paper towels Portable Vaccum Trash Bags Window Cleaner Disinfectant Tractor Supplies Bunk Heaters Fans Cooler Cooler Motor De-Icer Window Screen
Clothing Boots Hard Hat Rain Gear Safety Glasses Thermals Gloves Hangers Laundry Bag Laundry Soap Uniforms Alterations Keep Receipts Numbers Annual days out Auto Mileage Cleaning Detailing Maintenance Repairs Parts Finance Charges
Driver Hygiene Showers Shower Shoes Vaseline visine Laundry Dry cleaning Soap Misc. Supplies Ice Fly Swatter Bedding Cab Cutains Coffee Maker Lap Desk REfridgerator Tupperware Storage Bins Thermos Bottle First Aid Supplies Alarm Clock
Office Supplies Atlas Briefcase Clipboard Liquid paper White out Log Books Log book covers Notebook paper Pens Pencils Stapler Calculator Loads Securement Bunge Cords Load Chains Load Bars Load Straps Locks Wide Load Flags
Fees ATM Fees CDL License Check Fees Comcheck Fees Copy/ Fax Fees Tools Buffer Crowbar Duct Tao Electrical Tape Flashlight s Hammer Pliers Screwdrivers Tire Iron Wrenches
Standard vs. Itemized Tax Deductions for Truck Drivers There are two common types of truck driver tax deductions — standard and itemized. Writing things off like those in the list above is part of filing an itemized tax deduction. It requires keeping track of all the expenses throughout the year that you might want to write off. Tip: It goes without saying that if you opt to go this route, make sure you keep track of all your receipts! A mini pocket organizer would be a great way to file everything on the road. Standard deductions are a base amount of income used to reduce your taxable income depending on your filing status, age, whether you’re disabled or claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes. Standard deductions are generally much more hassle-free than itemized and are usually greater than the amount you’d reach with itemized returns, but you should opt for whichever deduction gives you the largest tax break.
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https://www.thehealthytrucker.net/tag/truck-driver-recipes/
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons peanut oil 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped 4 ounces canned water chestnuts, drained and chopped 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 green onions, chopped 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger 2 teaspoons red chili paste (more or less depending on taste) 3 tablespoons Kikkoman hoisin sauce 3 teaspoons Kikkoman low sodium soy Ssuce 1 tablespoon Kikkoman rice vinegar 12 Boston or butter lettuce leaves
Directions: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red bell pepper and water chestnuts and sautĂŠ until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the turkey, garlic, green onions, ginger, and red chili paste and cook, stirring and breaking up the turkey into small crumbles, until no longer pink. Drain any liquid or fat. Add the hoisin, soy sauce, and vinegar, stirring to combine. Remove the turkey mixture to a serving bowl. Serve alongside lettuce leaves.
Keep On Trucking - Healthy, Easy No-Heat Meals On The Go It's hard being a truck driver and eating well without cooking appliances. These no-heat recipes mix things up from the usual, and without a huge hit to the wallet. Not a trucker? Who couldn't use a new go-to, no-heat lunch idea for those swamped days in the office? To everyone out there working hard, keep on trucking! APPLE COOKIES Serves 1 1 apple 2 tablespoons peanut butter Pecans Coconut shreds Chocolate chips Preparation: 1. Slice apple into thin rings and remove core. 2. Spread peanut butter over one side of ring. 3.Top with pecans, coconut shreds, and chocolate chips. Enjoy!
**If you can’t make the car give away stop by the nearest MVT Terminal to celebrate Driver Appreciation and enjoy a cookout on us in appreciation of all your hard work! **
Laredo, TX
Nashville, TN.
Denver, CO.
#Marchforbabies #JoinOURteam
JOIN US! We will be marching for babies on Saturday, April 25th at 8:00 am. Albert Johnson Park Las Cruces, NM There are two course options for walkers a 1 or 5 mile route.
How do you register? Free registration! Please submit your name and family member (s) attending by 4/17/15 to Emily Roof.
There are a lot of reasons to love your jeans. But maybe the best reason is that wearing jeans or casual clothes to work is a great way to support the March of Dimes fight to save babies, and giving babies in your community and across the nation a fighting chance. Our Blue Jeans for babies campaign will be held from April 1st-April 24th.Minimum Donation will be $5. Granting you permission to wear jeans for the week. But the beginning of the week you need to make another donation to be allowed to wear jeans for that next week! Each receptionist at each location will take your donations and give the employees a sticker showing that they donated! Show some Love! I hope to see our MVT family join in on this great cause! Let’s Walk together April 25th!
Letter from the Editor Guess what? It’s APRIL! Holy Smokes! It’s hard to keep up with everything that is going on these days. I just want to take the time to thank everyone for what they do here at Mesilla Valley Transportation. Getting to learn more of the industry and finding out the time and dedication is takes to make this company run smooth makes me appreciate things so much more! In FACT I think we ALL take A LOT of things for granted.. And sometimes we need stop and smell the roses. This world is so fast paced we forget to enjoy the little things, we also forget to say things Like, “Thank you, Please, I’m Sorry, You can do it, life is tough but so are you...” Sometimes we just need that reminder to keep going. You never know what could make someone's day. We get so caught up we forget to say the most important things… Which in reality are the simplest things. Did you know that the average person says up to 16,000 words a day? That’s a lot of words. But, that’s also a lot of chances to be able to make some ones day and make the world a better place. What do you think we should say more often? You know what they say.. If you don’t have anything nice to say.. You’re not thinking hard enough! “You’re Awake, you’re Awesome. Live Like it!”
Emily K. Roof Marketing Director
“A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you can’t go anywhere until you change it”
A Truckers Prayer “Bless this truck I drive and help me keep someone alive. Be my mortal sight this day on streets where little children play. Bless my helper fast asleep, when the night is long and deep. And Keep my cargo safe and sound through the hours big and round. Make my judgment sound as steel and be my hand upon the wheel. Bless the traveler going past teach them not to go so fast. Give me strength for every trip so I may care for what they ship and me mindful every mile that life is just a little while�
Making the Difference Everyday
The MVT Way