CAMBRIDGE, Ont. (April 11, 2005) — Whaddya get for 25 years of safe, accident-free service? If you work for Challenger Motor Freight, and you’re an ace owner-operator like Don Gole, you get your own personal, monogrammed trailer.

Challenger felt that kind of loyalty and professionalism deserved some special recognition, so company President Dan Einwechter ordered a custom-built Wabash Dura-Plate van trailer to commemorate Gole’s 25th anniversary with the company. And a nice wagon it is: it’s got 22-gauge stainless steel nose and radius panels, Neway Air-ride, Peterbilt-style aluminum rims to match his tractor, 18 top and bottom LED side-marker lights, and, it’s painted Galaxy Blue to match Don’s 2000 Peterbilt tractor. The neon silver logo thanking Don for his 25 years of service is the crowning touch.

“Recognizing Don with this special trailer is a small token of our appreciation for his 25 years of hard work and dedication to Challenger and our customers,” says The Prez. “What Don has accomplished is truly amazing, and I am very proud to be able to honor him in this special way.”

Gole is a former mechanic who joined Challenger as an owner-operator in 1980. “I had my ticket when I joined the company, but never worked as a mechanic at Challenger,” he says. “There was more money in driving.”

Gole has accumulated about 3 million miles of accident-free driving since then, and he figures he’s got another couple of million left in him. He credits his success with taking the time to do things right, staying on top of what’s going on in the industry, and paying attention to the small things — like fuel economy.

Challenger’s administrative and compliance supervisor, Tanya Theroux, described Gole as “very professional in all he does, especially the way he runs his business.” Adding, that that kind of loyalty goes a long way with a carrier.

Maybe there will be a 50th anniversary Pete in his future?