For almost four decades, Vincent Cote of Dayton has been taking to the roads as a professional driver. He recently celebrated 25 years with ADUSA Transportation – delivering fresh goods for Hannaford stores in northern New England – reflecting an impressive 37-year career in trucking.
“When I was a kid, I was always interested in trucks,” Cote said, reflecting on his early passion for the industry. “My uncle owns some trucks, and I always kind of looked up to him.”
In January, Cote was bestowed the coveted Driver of the Year award for 2022 by the Maine Motor Transport Association. He was one of a total of 12 drivers who were chosen from across state lines each month in recognition for their exemplary safety record and other laudable traits on display behind-the-wheel. The Professional Drivers Association announced that the dozen selected in 2022 have a combined 285 years’ worth experience navigating roads with nary an accident occurring throughout their 19 million miles traveled.
“I was in shock. I’m honored. I never thought I would’ve gotten picked for Driver of the Year,” Cote said.
It’s important to Cotes to let the next generation know that they don’t have to go through the traditional four-year collage route in search of success if that doesn’t feel like the right fit for them. He says that route isn’t for everyone and successful, rewarding livings can be made in the trades.
For Cotes, he noted that the best thing about his job has been driving different routes throughout New England while enjoying a sense of freedom and independence along the way.
“You can be your own boss. You do the job. You get to point A to point B, deliver or pick up,” Cote said. “Then after that, you’re on your own.”
Those who know Cote say his inspiring demeanor easily earned him the recognition.
“He’s a very happy-go-lucky driver. He never has a bad day. Our customers all love him,” said Dick Brown, lead driver for ADUSA Transportation. “He seems like he never has a bad day, and if he does, he doesn’t let us know about it.”
Brown went on to note that there’s currently a significant need for quality drivers in the industry.
“If we don’t have drivers, you don’t get the stuff to the stores,” Brown said about the significance of this issue, also noting, “Everything in the Hannaford store and everything in the Maine Mall is delivered by a truck.”
After an impressive career on the road, Cote has earned recognition from MPDA for managing a staggering two million miles without any accidents. This is triple what the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates to be an average American’s total lifetime driving.
Source: News Center Maine
