Dart Name Dry Van Carrier of the Year

August 2009

In August, United Sugars presented Dart Transit Company with its "Dry Van Carrier of the Year" award. Dart hauled 4,591 loads for United Sugars with a 99% on-time percentage.

"This could not have been accomplished with a full team effort from Operations," said Ted Lundberg, Regional Sales Manager - Green Zone and Northern Region. "Sue Ritter leads the United Sugars account and has done a tremendous job of meeting and exceeding the customer's expectations. Thanks Sue! A big thank you to the Eagan Short Haul group and the Green Zone for all of their hard work and dedication with this account. From every zone to fleet manager to contractor who touches the United Sugars account, thank you for your excellent work. It is much appreciated!

The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) awarded Attorney Doug Grawe its "Outstanding Service Award" for 2009.

MTA Chair Bill Woolsey presented Doug with the award at the MTA's Annual Banquet at Breezy Point Resort in Minnesota on August 5.

Doug regularly works with both the MTA and Don Oren at Dart Transit Company, assisting in regulatory affairs and helping craft language in legislative bills directed at protecting Minnesota's trucking industry.

This year, Doug supported the independent contractor status and helped educate MTA members on important independent contractor issues at a seminar. He also clarified the description of a motor vehicle relative to liability and worked on the definition of gross misdemeanor legislation.

"Doug is truly deserving of this award," said John Hausladen, MTA President. "No issue posed more risk to the business model of hundreds of MTA member companies that the threat to the status of independent contractors. Doug played an integral role in crafting strategies and responses to these attacks. Through a team effort by many players, the final compromise language was achieved, in large part due to Doug's persistent work. Doug is on of the brightest young legal minds in our industry and we are lucky to have him active in the MTA."

MTA Chair Billy Woolsey presents Doug Grawe with the "Outstanding Service Award."

For the fourth year in a row, Dart received Great West Risk Management's Award for Safety and Operational Excellence.

The award was presented to Dart representatives on August 3 at Dart's Corporate Office in Eagan, Minnesota.

Dart received the award for its loss results, prompt and fair claim settlement practices, timely reporting of serious claims to Great West, innovative loss prevention programs, and demonstrated operational excellence in 2008.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Dart receiving this award.

From L to R: Gary Volkman, Vice President of Safety Compliance, Dan Oren, Vice President, Ron Lawson, President Great West Risk Management, David Oren, President, Emmon Love, Vice President Ameriplan Benefit Corporation, Tom Travis, Vice President of Claims, Cliff Yentes, Corporate Risk Manager.

Congratulations to Dart Transit Company's 2008 Contractors of the Year: Randy House at Dart's Dallas Operating Center and Al Beck and Harvey Zander at Dart's Eagan Operating Center.

Dart Contractors of the Year are selected out of its Contractors of the Month. Each Contractor of the Year receives a marble trophy, a personalized leather jacket and a $1,000 check.

Joyce Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at Dart's Dallas Operating Center and Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, and Randy House.

Harvey Zander (L), Dart President Dave Oren, and Al Beck (R)

The Minnesota Trucking Association's (MTA) Safety Council awarded its distinguished Herb Ney Award to Dart Vice President of Safety Compliance Gary Volkman.

The award was created in honor of Herb Ney, who passed away in 1994 while he was president of the MTA's Safety Council.

"Gary has made, and continues to make, outstanding contributions toward the continued success of the MTA Safety Council and its mission," said Dick Gillespie, last year's award recipient. "He has been a member of the Safety Council for many years, with a passion for the regulatory side of life. He is a great role model and a very active board member."

Gary Volkman (L) receives the MTA's Herb Ney Award from Dick Gillespie, last year's award recipient

Congratulations to Dart Transit Company's 2008 Fleet Managers of the Year for the Over the Road, New Contractor, and Regional fleets.

The Over the Road Fleet Manager of the Year is Dan Winstead. Dan has been with Dart since January 2002. He is a Senior Fleet Manager, working with his own board of contractors, while at the same time working to train and direct new fleet managers.

The New Contractor Fleet Manager of the Year is Aaron Danielski. Aaron works exclusively with new contractors, helping them become acclimated to Dart and understand how Dart's system works.

The Regional Fleet Manager of the Year is Doug James. Doug works with a group of contractors and works with Dart's Logistics Managers to plan the trucks in the Northern Region.

Dave Oren (center) with Dan Winstead (L) and Aaron Danielski (R)

Dave Oren (L) with Doug James

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Dart Transit Company a Top 25 Family Owned Business in its 2009 Book of Lists^TM, acknowledging it as a leading company in the transportation industry.

Dart Transit Company is one of the best fleets to drive for, according to the Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge, a Canadian consulting firm.

Earlier this year CarriersEdge surveyed truckload carriers to find which ones offer the best opportunities for professional truck drivers.

Even though Dart is powered by independent contractors, not employee drivers, the quality of its programs and practices ranked it among the best carriers in the nation.

The "Best Fleets to Drive For" award was announced at the TCA's convention.

Dart was nominated by its contractors, and was evaluated by interviewing management and surveying more than 100 Dart contractors. The information was then compared to more than 70 other nominated carriers.

"Contractors have been saying for years that Dart is a great place to operate a small trucking business," said David Oren, Dart president. "During our 75 years as an owner operator company, we've focused on owner operator success. This proves that Dart is getting the job done!"

Dart President, David Oren, and Clark Lett

TCA Independent Contractor of the Year
The Truckload Carriers Association awarded two Dart contractors top honors in its Independent Contractor of the Year contest. Clark Lett placed second and Gerald Clouse placed third.

The TCA announced the winners at its annual convention in Orlando, Florida. Clark and Gerald's prizes included thousands of dollars in bonds, fuel cards, and other merchandise.

Both add their names to a long list of Dart contractors who have placed among the country's top independent contractors.

Dart Chairman, Don Oren, and Gerald Clouse

Clark began his trucking career 55 years ago. He has been an owner operator for 35 years, and has contracted his truck with Dart for 20 years. Clark has driven more than three million miles in his career and his honors include Dart's President's Safety Award and Dart's Hall of Fame Safety Award.

Gerald has spent the majority of his 31-year trucking career with Dart. He has accumulated three-and-a-half million accident-free miles and received the National Safety Council's Three Million Mile Safety Award last year. In 2006, Gerald received Dart's 20-Year Truck Trophy Safety Award and last year he was named Dart Contractor of the Month.

"Gerald and Clark are excellent examples of what this contest and the trucking industry is all about – safe and professional service," said Dart President David Oren. "We are extremely proud of them. Congratulations Gerald and Clark!"

2009 marks a special anniversary for Dart Transit Company. This year Dart celebrates 75 years in business.

Earl Oren founded the company in 1934. In 1979 his son Donald Oren (now Dart Chairman) took over leadership. And today, Donald's son David Oren is president.

"Dart is financially strong and focused on the future," said Donald. Over time, Dart's service offerings have vastly expanded. Today, Dart is one of America's premier truckload carriers, offering service from coast to coast.

It offers regional service in the South, Midwest and Southeast; short haul service in several major markets; and dedicated service to Fortune 500 companies. Through the Dart network of companies, it provides shippers with logistics and brokerage services, Intermodal rail service, warehousing, and portable storage.

Now the third generation of the Oren family is deeply involved in the business, preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. "As a family-owned company we've never forgotten where we've been and where we're going," David said.

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