Dalton—Shaw Industries announced that Claude “Ricky” Cook, a Shaw driver for the past 38 years, has been inducted into the National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC) Hall of Fame.
Cook received the honor for amassing 4.4 million miles without a preventable or moving accident and became the fifth Shaw driver in the NPTC Hall of Fame.
“Ricky and our previously inducted Hall of Fame drivers embody the epitome of excellence and serve as prime examples of why Shaw’s greatest asset is always our people,” said Dean Orem, Shaw’s vice president of global logistics. “Ricky’s accomplishment affirms Shaw’s commitment to a culture of safety and makes me proud to be on the same team. Congratulations Ricky on this well-deserved honor.”
Only four drivers are selected each year from NPTC member fleets and only 144 have ever made the rank.
“These inductees represent the best of the best,” said Tom Moore, NPTC executive vice president. “They are the cream of the crop. They are the pinnacle of excellence in this industry. They are the people that everyone aspires to be like. We thank them for their years of service, their dedication, their focus, their extreme sense of care, their honesty, their embodiment of the golden rule—they live it every day. This is a real tribute to a job well done for them.”
Cook joined Shaw in 1984 and has served in many roles, from spotter to trainer and driving nearly every rig in the fleet. He is currently a tanker driver hauling materials from the railyard to Shaw’s Plant SI in Chickamauga, Ga.
“I got cold chills when I was told the news,” Cook recalled. “It is a huge honor and a great pleasure to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
Cook obviously takes safety seriously and works hard to remain up to date on all training and certifications. He competes in state-level driving competitions and teaches defensive driving for the next generation of professional drivers, further embracing Shaw’s commitment to workplace safety.