Jimmy James’s Life After Being Named Driver of the Year 2016

We believe Bennett drivers are the cream of the crop, and we take pride in celebrating them any chance we get. Every year at Bennett’s Annual Symposium, we honor those drivers and name our Driver of the Year. Last year, Jimmy James, who lives in Houston, received some news he was not expecting. His dispatcher gave him a call and told him he was being named Bennett’s 2016 Driver of the Year. His first reaction was simply, “Wow.”

This April will make eleven years that Jimmy has been with Bennett Motor Express. The beginning of his career was started working in the warehouse loading trucks with a forklift. From the forklift, he moved on to driving trucks around the yard, and this is where his career truly began. He loved driving these trucks so much, he decided to do it for the better part of his life.

When the company Jimmy was working for went under, the dispatcher he had been working with decided to move all his trucks over to Bennett. Well, Jimmy decided to follow him. After eleven years of being with the company, he still doesn’t have any complaints.

He says, “Bennett is the best company I’ve ever worked for. That’s why I came here, and it’s why I’ve stayed.”

When Jimmy got to the Annual Symposium last year, he was presented his award on stage and received his leather jacket with Driver of the Year written on the back of it. Aside from the jacket, being named Driver of the Year has certainly led to even more perks. Jimmy was able to network with a multitude of agents at the event, which led him to even more work throughout the year.

Jimmy James Driver of the Year Award Acceptance Video

We asked Jimmy what his best memory of the past year was and he said, “I would have to say, I guess it’s the presidential election. I’ve never experienced anything like that before, so that has been interesting. Also, having the opportunity to meet people through being named Driver of the Year, and receiving more work because of that has helped my business as well.”

When reflecting on the duration of his career as a driver, Jimmy had the following advice for anyone interested in starting a career in trucking, or thinking of becoming an owner operator. “When I was first starting out, I was told it was going to get really hard when I bought my first truck, but to not give up and hang in there. And you know what? I’m glad I did. That’s what I would tell someone just staring out or buying their first truck. It’s going to be hard sometimes, but if you hang in there, it will be worth it in the end.”

If you’re looking to make a change in your career, or if you’d just like more information, contact one of our recruiters at 888-712-3036!