2011
Wade JenkinsDSR, XCO
Growing up in a family that owned a trucking company, Con-way Freight Driver Sales Representative Wade Jenkins developed a love for big trucks at an early age. Now, with over 33 years of experience as a professional driver, he has certainly fulfilled his childhood dream of a career behind the wheel.
“I knew when I was around trucks as a kid that I wanted to become a truck driver; I guess it runs in the family,” Wade says. “I really like the adventure of the road and that every day is different, but being my own boss while I am on my run is pretty nice too.”
Wade cites the biggest challenge for professional drivers as staying focused on the current situation around them, while also being aware of what’s happening further down the road.
“You have to pay attention to everything that is going on around you, both inside and outside of the truck,” Wade explains. “It’s a lot of work to keep safety your number one priority and not let little things that other drivers do get under your skin. When you enjoy driving as your job, it certainly makes it easier to be safe.”
While there are many things that motorists can do to be safer on the road, Wade believes that the biggest problem today is driver inattention. “Safety really just comes down to the fact that people need to pay attention. It sounds simple, but a lot of people don’t,” he said.
Reaching two million miles without an accident is something that Wade attributes to a combination of Con-way Freight’s safe equipment and treating everyone on the road as though they are a member of his family. “I obviously want my family to be safe when they are in the car, but I want that for everyone else’s family too. No matter what, I am always thinking about the safety of others,” says Wade.
When asked what this achievement means to him, Wade responds, “Reaching two million miles has been a long and lengthy process, and this award is something that I am very proud of. All the years of hard work are certainly worth it and now it feels good to be recognized.”
A resident of Columbus, Ohio, Wade is based out of Con-way Freight’s Columbus service center. He has been married for 17 years to his wife, Pamela, and in his spare time enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and restoring old trucks.
