The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has honored Jeff McKinney, Vice President of Safety at Jetco Delivery, as the 2024 TCA Safety Professional of the Year. The announcement was made during TCA’s 43rd Annual Safety and Security Meeting in Indianapolis.
This prestigious award is given annually to a trucking industry professional who has significantly contributed to enhancing highway safety in North America, according to TCA.
With over 25 years of experience in the trucking industry, McKinney began his career as a driver and night warehouse manager, as noted in a TCA news release. He joined Werner Enterprises in 1994, progressing from company driver to safety supervisor, where he oversaw DOT compliance and safety meetings.
From 2001 to 2002, McKinney served as a lead trainer at United Driver Services, offering CDL training and defensive driving courses.
During his tenure as director of safety and operations manager at General Logistics from 2002 to 2007, he significantly reduced accidents and costs, according to the news release.
Since joining Jetco Delivery in 2007, McKinney’s initiatives, such as the early adoption of electronic logs (Elogs), have reduced accident frequency by 50%, according to TCA.
In 2007, McKinney earned his Certified Director of Safety designation from the North American Transportation Management Institute and has led Jetco to numerous safety awards. He is also an active participant and presenter at industry conferences.
His leadership has notably improved regional road safety, reducing instances of distracted driving, commercial vehicle accidents, and intersection crashes, the news release states. Through his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to safety, McKinney has made a lasting impact on the transportation industry, ensuring driver well-being and promoting a culture of safety within organizations.
Amanda Schuier, Jetco’s Strategic Maintenance Director, nominated McKinney for the award. She praised his ability to make safety approachable and accessible to everyone, mentioning his “see, say, do” mentality and his frequent engagement with professional drivers, diesel technicians, office staff, and more.
Jetco Delivery President Kyle Kristynik also lauded McKinney’s approach, emphasizing the importance of accountability within the organization. Kristynik highlighted McKinney’s ability to integrate accountability into Jetco’s safety culture, fostering an environment where everyone owns safety. He also praised McKinney’s recognition of the need for proper training and tools for job success.
Kristynik described McKinney as an “old school trucker” who has embraced the evolving safety landscape, utilizing data and analytics to enhance safety at Jetco and the GTI Group. He concluded by expressing pride in McKinney’s well-deserved recognition.
Source: TCA
Photo: TCA
