Best Driver Jobs Press Releases

Trucking Industry Press Release

December 22nd, 2009

PANTHER EXECUTIVES GIVE NEW MEANING TO THE WORDS TOY DRIVE

Seville, Ohio (December 22, 2009) - Panther Expedited president and CEO Andy
Clarke and CIO Ed Wadel took to the road the week of December 7, giving new meaning
to the words "toy drive." For the past five years, Panther has raised approximately $1,000
for the Marine's Toys for Tots program. This year, Clarke and Wadel set out to increase
that amount and they did, by $2,000. "In these economic times, that is a big difference in
the lives of children who may not have a toy at Christmas. It is a great sense of pride that Panther has, to be able to be a small participant in that," stated Clarke.

Their method of raising the money was one that gave these executives a much
closer look into their drivers' lives. Clarke and Wadel took to the roads for a week,
making deliveries just like their drivers. All profits from their deliveries were donated to Toys for Tots. As a team, they drove all night, slept in their vehicle and even encountered a mechanical problem. Like owner operators, they had to find a way to make the delivery. Clarke explained, "I commandeered the hotel shuttle van; the hotel manager and I made the delivery. I spent the next couple of hours getting a tow truck and getting it fixed. We paid for all of that out of our own pocket. We got a better understanding of the expenses an owner operator has every day. You really have to think outside the box as an owner operator."

The team drove through Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois
and Wisconsin. "We did not receive any special dispatch and I was very clear about that.
We took the fuel surcharges that were associated with the load and we took the load at
the rate that they paid. They didn't give us any bonuses; they didn't give us any
deadhead. We just tried to use our system and I think that now we have credibility with
our drivers," Clarke elaborated.

They accomplished their mission of raising an additional $2,000 for Toys for Tots
and learned first hand of the challenges drivers face on a daily basis with things like
weather and service issues. Clarke now sees his job as CEO a little differently. He was
reminded that the company makes decisions based on the best information they have, but
that information isn't always perfect, "As a result we are going into strategy sessions to
talk about 2010 and there are some changes we are going to make. I think they are going
to positively impact our owner operator fleet."

How did their customers react to having executives make their deliveries? "It
really ran the gamut of people who just wanted to get their job done to people who
thought it was really great you're doing this," stated Clarke.
While this was a first for these Panther executives, it won't be the last. "I actually
do look forward to doing this again," Clarke explained. "It really gives you an
appreciation for the families of our owner operators and what they do. It makes you more
thankful for the support of the families."

While on the road, Clarke and Wadel got support from their fellow drivers. They
posted their phone number for fellow drivers to call and blogged about their experiences.
Clarke felt those conversations were invaluable, "We would have these great
conversations and you can't have those conversations during the day."

And when they returned home, Clarke and Wadel did what all drivers do. They
caught up with their family, caught up on sleep and then went right back to work. Clarke
is excited to tell other drivers about Panther Expedited and the opportunities they offer,
"The pay, the benefits that we offer are special. It is everyone associated with Panther
that is special; I am just a representative of a special expedite family."

To read Clarke and Wadel's blog, visit join.pantherexpedite.com. Founded in 1992, Panther provides solutions for all expedited shipping needs, whether they are ground, air or ocean freight service. Panther has gained an unparalleled reputation for meeting deadlines at the lowest possible cost and with the highest level of service. For more information, call Panther Expedited at 800-685-0657 or visit www.join.pantherexpedite.com.

www.join.pantherexpedite.com