Military Veteran Leadership Drives Georgia Penske Location
Deep in the combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq, optimal working military vehicles are the key to survival for men and women on the battlefield.
“In a combat zone, if a truck gets hit, you have to get that truck back up and make sure the truck is functional,” said Johnnie Upshur, a 23-year Army veteran and now a Penske maintenance supervisor in Norcross, Georgia.
Far removed from life and death struggles, it is the job of Upshur and the technicians at the Norcross location– including a group of five military veterans – to make sure Penske units are repaired and made road-ready again.
“The military taught me about the importance of the mission,” said Upshur, who spent eight years in combat zones. “The mission here is to make sure the trucks are always running.”
During his time in the Army, Upshur was a Senior Brigade Maintenance Technician and Chief Warrant Officer, where he supervised and managed support operations for 3,500 military personnel, 1,500 pieces of equipment and property valued at $350 million.
Having so many veterans on staff at his Penske location creates a shared sense of purpose and a brotherhood, unlike many others.
“Veterans understand the sense of urgency. That is the way the military taught us. You may not have a second chance to do it again,” Upshur said. “It is great to know that the brotherhood is there.
“These are the guys I can count on to get things done. These are the guys who really have my back. These are the guys who understand the mission,” he said. “The fortitude that these veterans bring to this location – and any other location – really helps a lot.”
Bill O’Leary, Penske’s vice president of field maintenance in the Southeast, said he actively seeks out veterans for maintenance roles.
“The military men and women we hire understand why it is so important to follow policies and procedures,” O’Leary said. “The guideline of getting things done the first time allows us to deliver a quality service to our customers.”
Both Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics are committed to hiring veterans and have been named 2017 Military-Friendly Employers by Victory Media, the publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.
In addition, Penske partners and supports military-friendly organizations, including The Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Mission: ABLE campaign, Support Military Spouses, World T.E.A.M. Sports and Toys for Tots.
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics offer a range of career opportunities, including truck fleet maintenance technicians, truck drivers, fleet maintenance supervisors, operations management roles, logistics and supply chain operations roles and many others. Visit www.GoPenske.com/careers/veterans for more information on career opportunities.
By Bernie Mixon
Steve Carollo
Willie Reeves
Stacey Swiney
Alex Shinabarger
Ross Brodrecht
Wayne Benoit
Denica Hawke
Jerry Burzynski
Penske Logistics truck driver Earl Taylor (standing) speaks during a visit to the White House as President Donald Trump (seated center) listens.
The Military-Friendly Employers designation includes extensive research and a data-driven survey of corporations nationally. According to Victory, the survey, methodology, criteria and weightings are created with the aid of an independent advisory council and tested by EY.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action, according to the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The next step for Taylor is to visit ATA’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, in January to make his case before a panel of industry experts.
Neil Kirk, Penske Logistics truck driver, made company history when he was named the organization’s first-ever ATA Road Team Captain. Here he is at a conference in April 2016.
Alex Graniewicz is the new leader for Penske Logistics Mexico.