Recently, Maverick celebrated our incredible employees during Employee Appreciation Week. Their hard work and dedication drive our success every day. While we believe employee appreciation is an ongoing practice in Maverick’s culture, we choose to show extra gratitude during these special events. Check out these great photos from our celebrations!

In true Maverick fashion, we want to highlight the fun we had during EAW while shining a spotlight on our people. Last month, you were introduced to one of our decorated Dedicated drivers, Kenny Neely. Today, you will meet two of our office employees whose work ethics and enthusiasm exemplify the core values of our company.

Shawn Cooper – Area Logistics Manager II

Question: What do you do at Maverick?

Shawn: I’m an Area Logistics Manager II here at Maverick and I communicate with our customers, operations team and external associates to ensure high utilization on each truck that is dispatched. I work to help maintain our company’s revenue by taking care of our internal and external customers’ needs and solicit freight for our drivers.

Question: What do you enjoy about your job?

Shawn: I enjoy that it’s fast-paced and never the same. It’s like a puzzle where you are constantly trying to get all the pieces to fit but it can change at any moment, and once it does you will have a totally different picture.

Question: What are some hobbies you enjoy?

Shawn: Going for long walks, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Question: Do you listen to podcasts or music? If so, what types?

Shawn: Yes. I love music! I pretty much listen to all kinds of music besides heavy metal, and my favorite would have to be R&B. As far as podcasts are concerned, I like to listen to inspirational ones as well as mysteries. Nine times out of ten, I’m listening to a Christian podcast.

Question: Do you have a funny work story you’d be comfortable with sharing?

Shawn: Back when we were having a challenge with our phone system, my co-worker Catherine was on the phone with IT, and they asked her for the number that wasn’t working. She gave them “8675309” and started singing it. They were totally confused, and we were dying laughing!

Eric Tompkins – Director of Risk Management

Question: What do you do at Maverick?

Eric: I am the Director of Risk Management. I oversee all the accidents, injuries, and the litigation that can come from that. We have the best folks in the business working here to help me with those decisions, and I am very proud to be a part of that team. I also help in making sure that we have insurance on the trucks, buildings, cargo, lots, drivers, and anything else that we need to protect to make sure that we can keep doing what we do better than every other open deck carrier: deliver freight safely.

Question: What do you enjoy about your job?

Eric: I love the people here. They have welcomed me wholeheartedly and they always see opportunity even in difficult situations. It truly is great to be a Maverick.

Question: What are some hobbies you enjoy?

Eric: I enjoy playing guitar in my spare time. I also enjoy boating, golfing and most outside leisure activities with my wife and two boys.

Question: Do you listen to podcasts or music? If so, what types?

Eric: I love both music and podcasts. Music has always been special to me, and I enjoy all kinds, like any good millennial, from the music my parents and grandparents grew up with to staying up- to- date with the current music so I can embarrass my boys! I am really into the Teskey Brothers recently, they have a strong Motown sound and if you're interested, Rain is a fantastic listen of a song. Zach Top is also in heavy rotation with me, he is an up-and-coming country artist and his songs sound like the 90’s country that I grew up listening to.

I like podcasts, so anything can get me going if it can hold my attention. I listened to My Fugitive Dad recently and it is worth checking out. I have listened to Joe Rogan before it was cool, and I enjoy it when he has guests that talk about pyramids, aliens and fitness topics. I feel like I now know a lot about fitness, but it hasn’t really panned out into practice yet.

Question: Do you have a funny work story you’d be comfortable with sharing?

Eric: Well, as a risk manager we are supposed to be extra aware of our surroundings. I will say that parking a pickup in the morning can be a little stressful, and accidents can happen to any of us. I did tap a car in the parking lot in front of a few witnesses, and yes, I am sure that Dean (Maverick's VP of Safety) would say it was preventable. I have taken my lumps about it, and I am happy to say my insurance did take care of the damage I caused to the other car. We still joke about it sometimes.

We want to extend a heartfelt, “THANK YOU” to our Maverick family and all that you do. Your hard work and consistent commitment do not go unnoticed. We know that Maverick’s success could not be built on anything but a foundation of talented and loyal people. It’s our people who matter. These stories and photos shared are just a small glimpse into the diverse backgrounds that fill our trucks and our hallways. We can’t wait to see what the future holds but are certain it will be one that is filled with FUN.