September 11-17 2022 marks National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Here at Papé, we are proud to serve and employ the best truck drivers in the country. Truck drivers, you work tirelessly on the road, and for that, we salute you! In this special edition of the Papé blog, let’s take a moment to honor and spotlight our incredible truck drivers here at Papé.
Meet Garry!
Garry Percell is a driver for Papé Material Handling and Papé Rents in Eugene, Oregon. He has worked for Papé for 11 years. Before coming to Papé, he was a trucker in Los Angeles. Additionally, he has past experience driving a log truck and a belly dump.
About working for Papé, Garry says “Papé is a great company and I enjoy working with the customers one-on-one.”
Garry delivers equipment in downtown Eugene or in other pretty tight spaces, like Autzen Stadium, keeping safety at the forefront. He is also an incredible mentor to the new drivers and has been the go-to for our corporate safety team. He coaches new drivers on the team, emphasizing safety. “Just be aware of everything around you,” he says. “Look at all the entrances and the exits before you go in.”
About Garry, Randy Martin, Garry’s supervisor, says, "Garry is amazingly dependable. Garry is someone you can really count on to be here and get the job done. He has great rapport with the customers, a great driving record, always thinks about safety, and finds innovative ways to accomplish tasks. He has also been a valued mentor to our new members."
We’re so thrilled to have Garry on the team. Thank you for keeping our team safe, trained, and always on the move! We salute you.
Meet Kelly!
Meet Kelly Lettenmaier, a truck driver at Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf, who has been with us for the last 3 years. Below you can see him pictured in front of the 550 with the gooseneck trailer, but he usually drives the big truck with a lowboy trailer.
This time of year, Kelly has been busy hauling combines and windrowers from farms into the shop for repairs. In the spring, he will be hauling a lot more lawn mowers and small tractors, going from store to store.
Kelly enjoys going out to the farms and not being confined to the interstate. Right before National Trucker Appreciation Week, he'll be hauling equipment out to the Sublimity Harvest Festival! Thank you, Kelly!
Outside of work, most of Kelly's time is dedicated to taking care of his family farm. He and his wife still make a little time for their horses, and Kelly is looking forward to having some time freed up to do a little hunting and fishing this season!
About Kelly, Kelly's supervisor, Josh Stolpe says, "Kelly Lettenmaier does a fantastic job of keeping equipment moved quickly, safely, and always has a great attitude. Kelly consistently goes the extra mile to take care of our customers and members alike." That’s what we love to hear, Kelly! We’re so happy to have you as a part of our Papé family. Thank you for your service! We salute you.
Meet David!
Meet David Fawcett, driver for Papé Kenworth. David has been with Papé Kenworth a little over a year. He celebrated his one year work anniversary on June 16, 2022, and we’re so thrilled to have him on the team, keeping our fleet safe and on the move! Happy belated one-year anniversary with our family, David!
David got his CDL in 2009, but only drove for ten months before moving back to Alaska. After five years at a desk job there, he decided to put his CDL back into action. He hauled materials for a while, delivering roofing and hauling lumber. He also hauled containers in and out of port. Then he found a home with Papé Kenworth, and we’re so happy to have him as a part of our family!
About working for Papé Kenworth, David says, “I love my job. I love the people I work with. My boss watches out for me, and I try to do what I can for her." We appreciate you so much, David, and are so thrilled you have found a home with us!
The General Manager at Papé Kenworth, Mitch Hatfield, wanted to take a moment to highlight all of David’s strengths, and why he is so appreciated! Let’s take a look.
Mitch was extremely complimentary of David, expressing how he does whatever it takes to deliver new and used trucks to customers day and night in a very safe and timely manner. According to Mitch, David will go out of his way to accommodate the ever-changing truck delivery schedules, remaining flexible and positive! When not delivering trucks, David will test drive trucks to ensure they pass quality control, minimizing downtime for our customers. Mitch is very appreciative of how David is always willing to work and go the extra mile, offering exceptional customer service. He has a strong team mentality and works well with members, customers, and vendors.
What a team player! Thank you for your service, David! We salute you.
Meet JR!
JR is the lowboy driver for the Southwestern Oregon Region at Papé Machinery Construction & Forestry. He has been with the company for just over 16 years. We are so happy to have him as a part of our team!
Outside of work, JR enjoys yearly trips to Mexico and has a nice setup in his garage to enjoy taking in a football game. About JR, JR's supervisor Justin Roach says, "JR is a hard worker, very safe, and great with customers. He is a very integral part of our team and customers like him." That’s what we love to hear! Thank you so much for your service, JR! We salute you.
Working for Papé Kenworth
We are so thrilled to employ the best truckers in the country. They are the backbone of the American economy, and their tireless work and service is an inspiration to all. If you are looking to launch a trucking career, learn all about the benefits of working for Papé Kenworth, and browse our full list of open positions here. Thank you again, truckers! We salute you!
