Employee

RECOGNITION

2012

2012 Employee of the Year - Patrick Swaringim

Pat Swaringim (Milk Man) started driving for Opies in November of 2001. He's been driving trucks since 1993. He is also a Certified A&P (Aircraft Frame & Powerplant Mechanic) having graduated from Spartan School of Aeronautics. Pat resides in Licking, MO.

30 Year Employee - Mark Kirkweg

Mark Kirkweg has been employed with Opies since July 1982. He started working in Pumpover washing trucks. Later, he moved into the maintenance shop. Mark has since worked his way up to Vice-President of Maintenance. When he's not working on Opies Trucks, Mark enjoys working on the house he recently built. He also enjoys hunting and fishing. Mark has 3 sons, 1 daughter and 1 granddaughter.

10 Year Employee - Tony Simpson

Tony Simpson (Storm Rider) began driving for Opies in December of 2002. Since that time he has logged over 1 million miles for Opies. Tony lives in Florida and enjoys riding motorcycles when he's not driving a truck.

10 Year Employee - Ed Ketchum

Ed Ketchum (Little Man) started with Opies in January of 2002. Ed began as a team driver with his wife, Debbie, for several years. Later, Debbie came off the road and Ed became a local Memphis Driver. He is a friend to all drivers and is always ready to help if anybody is in need. When Ed isn't driving his truck, he enjoys hanging out at the lake with family and friends.

10 Year Employee - Kenny Shaw

Kenny Shaw has worked at the Memphis, TN Terminal since April of 2002. He is a valuable member of the Opies Memphis Team. When Kenny isn't busy washing trucks or tanks, he enjoys watching football and fishing. Kenny also enjoys spending time with his ten year old son.

10 Year Employee - Aaron Bachtel

Aaron Bachtel started working for Opies in June 2002. He began working in the pumpover washing trucks, then later, moved to working on trucks in the shop, where he still works today. Prior to working at Opies, Aaron ran a wood mill. When he's not working on Opies trucks, Aaron enjoys fishing and four wheeling. He lives in Eldon with his wife, April. They have 2 boys, 11 and 2.

10 Year Employee - Kent Williams

Kent Williams (Wabash) has been driving an Opies truck since January 2002. When he's not working, Kent enjoys riding motorcycles and frequently has gone to Sturgis, SD. He also enjoys working on his old car. Kent lives in Palmyra, MO with his wife, Kay. They have 2 boys.

10 Year Employee - Jackie Henry

Jackie Henry (Ripper) started driving with Opies in April of 2002. Since then he has logged over 1 million miles for Opies. Jackie lives in Springfield, MO with his wife, Brenda. When he's not on the road, he enjoys tinkering with gas powered model cars. Jackie is computer savvy and is one of the first drivers to use a computer in his truck. Jackie is always pleasant and is well liked by his fellow employees.

2013

2013 Employee of the Year - Kent Williams

Kent Williams (Wabash) has been selected as our 2013 Employee of the Year for his dedication to safety and outstanding customer service skills. He has been employed by Opies since January of 2002. During his 11 years of employment with Opies, Kent has logged well over one million accident-free miles. Kent lives in Palmyra, MO with his wife, Kay. They have 2 sons. Duringhis off time, Kent enjoys riding his Harley and spending time with his wife. He also has a 17 acre farm he cares for.

20 Year Employee - Tony Keene

Tony Keene (The Ghost) has been employed with Opies since December of 1993. He lives in California, MO with his wife, Hildy. Tony served our country as a Marine in the Vietnam War. When he's not on the road, he enjoys deer hunting.

10 Year Employee - Ed Lowe

Ed Lowe (Silver Streak) started with Opies in June 2003. Ed lives in Cushing, OK where he and his wife enjoy fixing up the house they recently purchased. Ed also enjoys taking road trips in his Mini Cooper. He is recognizable by his long ponytail which regularly gets donated to the Locks of Love Program.

10 Year Employee - John Saffell

John Saffell (Dr. John) started with Opies in March of 2003. He lives in Troy, MO with his wife of 46 years. They have one son. When John's not driving a truck, he enjoys camping. John has a total of 49 years experience driving a truck.

10 Year Employee - Ricky Barrett

Ricky Barrett (Turtle) started with Opies in February of 2003. He currently works mostly in the Memphis, TN area. Ricky lives in Covington, TN and has one daughter. When he's not working, he enjoys riding motorcycles and shooting paintball. Ricky has been driving trucks for 30 years.

2014

2014 Employee of the Year - Jackie Henry

Jackie Henry ("The Ripper") was selected for his dedication to safety and his outstanding customer service. Jackie has been employed with Opies since April of 2002. He lives in Springfield, MO with his wife, Brenda. They have 2 daughters and 2 grand kids who they enjoy spoiling. Jackie also enjoys R/C airplanes, computers and collects movies and guns.

30 Year Employee - Ron Pember

Ron Pember has been employed by Opies since January of 1984. He started his employment washing trucks in the pumpover. Ron has moved up through the ranks and is now a Journeyman Mechanic. He oversees the Eldon Shop and Parts departments. Ron and his wife, Angie, live in rural Eldon, MO. He takes pride in keeping his land and property well maintained and also enjoys turkey hunting and feeding wild game.

20 Year Employee - Pam Wright

Pam Wright has been working at Opies since August of 1994. Through the years she has done all front office functions. Her experience and knowledge allow her to train and assist fellow office workers. She works closely with our outsource vendors on telephone and computer support. She also handles our Human Resources tasks. Pam lives in Eldon and has 2 sons who live in Columbia, MO. In her off time, Pam enjoys dancing.

10 Year Employee - David Shidler

Dave Shidler has been driving for Opies since April of 2004. He resides in Dewey, OK and is a good, safe driver. He enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and likes to travel with his family in his off time.

10 Year Employee - Thomas Nelvis

Thomas Nelvis has been employed since February of 2004. He has 4 children and is a very dedicated employee who rarely takes any time off. He takes good care of our customers, running the barge and locally around the city of Memphis, TN.

10 Year Employee - Royce Waits

Royce Waits has been employed since July of 2004. He lives south of Memphis in Coldwater, MS. He runs over the road and is most often in and out of our Memphis, TN terminal. Royce has been driving for 26 years. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and makes his own line of lures which he sells to others.

2015

2015 Employee of the Year - Tony Simpson

Tony began driving for Opies in 2002. He has been driving trucks since 1995. Prior to then, Tony was a Mechanic. He lives in Florida and always has a chipper attitude.

40 Year Employee - Daryle Hill

Daryle was Opie's first driver, hired in July 1975! Known to us as Big D the Super Trucker, he progressed his way to the Dispatch Office where he remains today as the Vice-President of Sales &Customer Service. He lives in Eldon with his wife Lisa and has 2 daughters.

30 Year Employee - John Gladden

John started driving for Opies in May of 1985. John is married to Donna and lives in Iberia. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

10 Year Employee - Tony Ancell

Tony has been a Mechanic for Opies since January 2005. Tony and his wife Cheryl have 2 kids and live in Eldon, MO. He enjoys fishing and camping in his off time.

10 Year Employee - Raymond Stigger

Raymond has worked for Opies since September of 2005 at our Memphis Terminal. He is a member of our Tank Wash Team and is as proud of the job he does as Opies is of his work. He always has a smile on his face and works hard everyday for Opies.

10 Year Employee - George Mike Tripp

Mike started driving for Opies in November of 2005, but his career started all the way back in 1969. He lives in Sunrise Beach, MO with his wife Bertha. Mike is yet another one of our always cheerful drivers.

10 Year Employee - Doug Widener

Doug has been driving for Opies since June of 2005. He started driving commercially back in 1981 in a straight truck before going to tractor trailers in May of 2002. Doug lives in Gore, OK with his wife, Michelle. They have 7 children.

2016

30 Year Employee - JD Claypool

JD started with Opies right after he graduated High School in Eldon. He lives in Iberia, MO with his wife, Beverly. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. He likes to work on old tractors when he's not supervising the Pumpover/Tank Wash at our Eldon Terminal.

20 Year Employee - David McCoy

Dave started driving for Opies in January of 1996. He has a background in helicopter maintenance and enjoys horseback riding and motorcycles in his spare time. He is married and has one child. His consistent positive attitude makes him a pleasure to have around.

10 Year Employee - Cecil Williams

Cecil started driving for Opies in September of 2006. He came to Opies with a background in Diesel Mechanics and driving. Cecil was hired on as a local milk route driver and has worked his way up to the Route Supervisor. He is married to Brandi and has 2 children.