Meet All-Star Driver Joel Lawson!

On September 7, Joel Lawson received the 2023 All Star Driver Award from the National Private Truck Council (NPTC)! This prestigious award, presented at the National Safety Conference, recognizes drivers across the nation for excellence in customer service, safety, adherence to company standards, regulatory compliance, and community service.? Congratulations Joel!

Joel, a Centerline Drivers employee and long-term Standard Logistics contractor, has been a Baltimore fleet driver and a valued member of the Baltimore team for 15 years. He is a team player, who coaches and mentors new drivers. He is also Customer-focused; striving to ensure accurate and updated communication with the Plant to exceed their expectations.

After high school, Joel enlisted in the Army for three years,? proudly serving during the Desert Storm conflict and then joined the National Guard for a few more years. While in the National Guard, he was in the transportation unit, driving military buses and tractor trailers. “So, when becoming a civilian, it just made sense to get my CDL and give myself a chance to do? something I enjoy.”

We asked Joel what is different about working for Standard Logistics. He said, “We put safety first. We take safety seriously and stand by that. I like that we make safety a top priority.” He added that this is rare in the trucking industry.?

As a? 2023 All Star Driver, we asked Joel what he would say to someone who is interested in becoming a driver. His response, “It's not easy work and not a game. If you're not safe you could kill someone on the road. It's a job to take seriously. You are driving an 80-ton vehicle and need to understand safety first.” How does he stay safe on the road? He gets a good night’s sleep to ensure he is well-rested and ready for the day.

Outside of work, Joel is first and foremost a husband and a father, “There is nothing I enjoy more than being with my family. That’s what MY life is about!” Never was that more evident than in 1998 when a fire broke out in their apartment. Joel had to think and move fast! He was able to get his wife and each of his children out of the apartment safely, with no injuries. However, due to the multiple times that Joel re-entered the burning dwelling, he suffered from smoke inhalation and severe burns that were treated with skin grafts. He carries a lifelong reminder on his left hand of just how precious his family is to him.

Driver, teammate, veteran, husband, father… is there anything Joel cannot do??

Congratulations again on being recognized for your exceptional performance!?