Waste Pro Crestview Driver Earns 5th $10,000 Safety Award

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Buddy Simmos, a front-end load (FEL) truck driver for Waste Pro’s Crestview, FL Division, has become only the second driver in the company to earn the coveted $10,000 Safety Award five times. Starting on New Year’s Day in 2008, he was the first employee, now Senior Vice President Ralph Mills, hired for the area. They met in a parking lot, and Ralph was so impressed with Buddy that he offered him a management role. But Buddy preferred to work a route and stay behind the wheel. That was the start of his 16-year run with Waste Pro, which resulted in Buddy earning five $10K Safety Awards – totaling $50,000 in awards earned. 

Buddy has been a garbage truck driver for over 35 years – starting with another major hauler before joining Waste Pro. Within his first month, he met the founder and owner of the company, John Jennings. When asked about his new Autocar truck, he responded, “I like the Autocar, but it’s not a Mack.” Within a month, a new Mack FEL truck showed up in the yard for Buddy. “The Jennings family has been good to me, and I want to do right by them,” shared Buddy. 

Ralph shares, “Buddy is probably the best front-load driver I have ever worked with. He is meticulous about his truck, efficient, and does not waste time on the route. He reports any cans that need fixing or replacing. He is here every day. I respect this man tremendously and am proud to have worked with him for 16 years.” 

Buddy takes safety on the road very seriously. I wake up with a sound mind and want to do a great job for my customers.” To earn the $10,000 Safety Award, Waste Pro drivers must go three years without an at-fault accident, injury, or property damage. A similar award of $5,000 is available to helpers who meet similar criteria. 

With his earnings, Buddy plans to expand his home, adding a cook shack for smoking meat and grilling fish. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, four daughters, and their families, as well as his loving black labrador, Remington. You can usually find them outdoors fishing and hunting. 

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com