2009
Thomas HayesDSR, NRM
While professional driving wasn’t Thomas Hayes’ first job, it was always something he had in the back of his mind that he wanted to try someday.
“When I was a kid, I remember watching the trucks out the window of my parents’ car,” said Thomas. “I was the kid who would try to get the drivers to honk their horns at me, and I always thought about driving as a good career choice.”
After a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, Thomas began his career as a professional driver in 1969. While driving may not be new to him, the recognition that comes from reaching two million miles of accident-free driving certainly is.
“I feel like I’m running for President, with all the attention I’m suddenly getting,” said Thomas, laughing. “It feels great, that’s a lot of miles and a lot of years. I hadn’t really thought about it until about a month before I reached two million miles, but it’s definitely a good feeling.”
Thomas credits being aware of his surroundings and always staying alert with maintaining an accident-free driving record, and wishes other motorists would be more conscientious when driving.
“Unfortunately, people don’t always pay attention to the road,” said Thomas. “I once saw a man reading a newspaper, with a meal on the armrest. He was eating and reading with the newspaper fully open in front of him while driving!”
When asked what he likes best about his job, Thomas replied, “The feeling of freedom when you’re out on the road — you don’t even really feel like it’s a job.”
A resident of Richmond, Va., Thomas is based out of Con-way Freight’s Richmond service center. He and his wife, Beverly, have three children: Kenyetta, Marviss and Leandrea; five grandchildren: Kiara, 19; Marquise, 17; Kiana, 15; Marcus, 13; and Makayla, 5; and one great-grandchild: Kaniyah, 17 months. Thomas is a member of the Prince Hall Masons. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing.
