Hurricane Dorian Update from Penske Truck Leasing
September 07, 2019
Sept. 7, 2019 | 9:23 a.m. ET Update
Penske Truck Leasing facilities are currently open and fully operational.
Penske News
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
As seen in many places throughout the company, Penske associates often don’t think of each other as co-workers, but as more of a family. And, when someone needs a little extra support, their work families are there to help.
A recent example of this can be traced to Tampa, Florida, where technician Gary Stone and his family were looking for financial assistance with getting his daughter a service dog.
Stone’s daughter, Phoebe, looked to New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc. (NHSD), when it came time to requesting a four-legged companion. NHSD is a non-profit organization that provides trained dogs to people with a variety of disabilities, most of whom need mobility assistance, according to their website.
Phoebe had to interview with the facility prior to being placed with a dog. Once approved, as part of NHSD’s process, she had to attend a two-week “team training” period at the facility to spend time getting familiar with and training the dog under guidance and instruction. There was no cost to acquire the service dog; however, Stone’s family was responsible for paying the two-week session, as well as caring for the dog going forward.
After getting the call from NHSD that she had been approved and placed with a service dog, a golden retriever named Troy-Bilt, Phoebe and her family needed to come up with the money to cover the aforementioned expenses. Phoebe didn’t have enough and needed help coming up with $2,500.
Hearing about this through the grapevine, many of Stone’s co-workers quickly got wind of the situation and jumped at the opportunity to help.
Pictured from left to right are Phoebe Stone, Troy-Bilt and Gary Stone.
Within a month, Phoebe had received enough donations from family, friends and several of Stone’s co-workers – throughout central Florida – to cover the costs associated with her training. The generosity expressed by all of the donors touched Stone and his daughter.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who was able to give,” said Stone. “It really does touch me deeply. Prior to learning that people were voluntarily donating money, I was just about to take out a loan.”
In Stone’s short time with the company, he says he learned very early on that this place is different from other places he’s worked.
“I’ve been with Penske for three and a half years, and everyone treats each other great, like a family,” Stone said. “I know that a lot of people here helped us out, and many of them are people from different places in the state who I don’t know or don’t see regularly. They don’t know my daughter, but they wanted to help. That’s a big part of a good company. People are happy to help each other.”
Phoebe has had her service dog, Troy-Bilt, for a while now, and she says she is incredibly thankful to have him around in a letter she wrote to all of those who donated.
“Troy-Bilt has changed my everyday life,” said Phoebe. “He makes me feel secure when I’m going out alone and has given me confidence that I never before had. Thank you for helping me reach this goal and for providing me with a friend and helper.”
Tim Moore, Penske’s district service manager in Tampa, was not surprised by the generosity some of the associates voluntarily displayed for Stone’s situation. He says Penske associates are wired to help others.
“In all of my 27 years working at Penske, I’ve seen countless times when one of our own needs help, we all band together to help that person in need of assistance,” said Moore.
By Chris Abruzzo
Professional truck drivers are the face of our brand; they make impressions throughout their day that signify what Penske represents. Drivers are the faces behind what we do — helping move lives and businesses forward.
This week is National Trucking Week in Canada, and the nation is paying tribute to the countless contributions made by the thousands of people who keep the trucking industry strong – including professional truck drivers.
Sponsored by the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), National Trucking Week began Sunday, Sept. 1, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 7.
The CTA joined with provincial truck associations across Canada to create National Trucking Week to highlight the contributions made by 400,000 Canadians – among them thousands of truck drivers – whose work in the trucking industry helps keep the Canadian economy moving.
Penske Logistics appreciates the extraordinary contribution of its more than 5,500 professional truck drivers across Canada and the U.S. who help keep the world moving forward.
“I want to sincerely thank all of our professional truck drivers as we pause to recognize National Trucking Week," said Marc Althen, President of Penske Logistics. “Your hard work and dedication to excellence does not go unnoticed."
A similar recognition – National Truck Driver Appreciation Week – will be held from Sunday, Sept. 8, through Saturday, Sept. 14, in the U.S. The American Trucking Associations will sponsor.
By “Move Ahead" Staff
Penske Logistics remercie ses camionneurs dans le cadre de la National Trucking Week au Canada
Les camionneurs professionnels représentent notre marque; ils laissent des impressions tout au long de leur journée de travail qui sont à l'image de Penske. Les camionneurs sont les personnes derrière chacune de nos actions. Ils font avancer des vies et permettent aux entreprises de croître.
Cette semaine est la National Trucking Week au Canada (la Semaine nationale du camionnage) et le pays rend hommage aux innombrables contributions réalisées par des milliers de personnes qui permettent à l'industrie du camionnage de rester solide, ce qui comprend les camionneurs professionnels.
Commanditée par l'Alliance Canadienne du Camionnage (ACC), la National Trucking Week commence le dimanche 1er septembre et se poursuit jusqu'au samedi 7 septembre.
L'ACC s'est associée à plusieurs organismes provinciaux de l'industrie du camionnage au Canada pour créer la National Trucking Week. Celle-ci met en évidence les contributions de 400 000 Canadiens, ce qui comprend des milliers de camionneurs, dont le travail dans l'industrie du camionnage contribue à la prospérité de l'économie canadienne.
Penske Logistics est très reconnaissante de l'incroyable contribution de ses quelque 5 500 camionneurs professionnels au Canada et aux États-Unis qui aident à faire progresser le monde.
« Dans le cadre de la National Trucking Week, j'aimerais remercier sincèrement tous nos camionneurs professionnels », a déclaré Marc Althen, le président de Penske Logistics. « Votre travail acharné et votre engagement envers l'excellence ne passent pas inaperçus. »
Une reconnaissance semblable, la National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (la Semaine nationale de l'appréciation des camionneurs), aura lieu du dimanche 8 septembre au samedi 14 septembre aux États-Unis. Elle sera commanditée par The American Trucking Associations.
Du personnel de « Move Ahead »
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
Penske’s Manteca, California, location used a celebration as an opportunity to help a local women’s shelter.
Penske is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. One of the biggest ways the company has celebrated with associates is with a mobile truck tour that will have stopped at over 110 district locations across North America between May and September.
The tour featured virtual reality activities, games, a video of Penske’s history and a lot of great food for associates.
(From left) Terry Nelson, Christine Reyes, Selena Mendez and John Pelot were among the Manteca, California, associates who donated items to Haven for Peace.
The Manteca facility had over 120 associates show up to the Penske Truck Leasing 50th Anniversary Mobile Truck Tour and decided to give back to their community in every way they can. They donated items to the Haven for Peace Emergency Women’s Shelter, which helps provide shelter for women ages 18-65 and their children.
The associates collected items in need for women and young children, including diapers, soap, shampoo and nonperishable food items. Along with that, associates took the leftover food from the 50th celebration to the shelter, so the shelter could freeze the food for upcoming meals.
Operations Supervisor Alvaro Grijalva said that the cooks at Haven for Peace were excited to have prepared meals.
“We did not tell the staff that we were coming, so it came as a bit of a surprise,” Grijalva said.
“In 95-degree weather the cooks gave us hugs, because for one night, they were able to use the leftover food and beverages to nourish women and children for that night,” Grijalva added.
Grijalva explained that they were proud to be representing Penske.
“We were proud to wear our vests inside the facility to promote what our brand is truly about,” said Grijalva.
“We live our brand through our brand values: progress, partnership, responsibility, learning and diversity,” Grijalva said. “It sparked associate conversation as to what more we can do for our community and other charitable organizations.”
By Emma Creamer, Communications and PR Intern
With Hurricane Dorian expected to reach the Florida Atlantic Coast in the coming days, fleet operators in the area are encouraged to take steps now to brace for the hurricane’s arrival.
Penske Truck Leasing has tips and resources to help truck fleet operators prepare for a hurricane and where to go in the event you need assistance after the storm.
Hurricanes, which form over the water and move inland, may cause high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, rip currents, tornadoes, and flooding.
Peak hurricane season occurs from mid-August through mid-October when a majority of the season’s tropical storms and hurricanes occur, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Department of Homeland Security, through its Ready national public service campaign, has assembled some hurricane preparedness tips for every stage of the storm. It includes evacuation tips, what to include in a disaster supply kit and how to create a family communication plan.
Tips for Penske Consumers and Business Customers
Penske offers the following advice to consumers and business customers on what to do before a storm arrives:
- Make safety your number one priority.
- Top off truck fuel tanks.
- Move trucks to higher ground if in a flood-prone area.
- Stay tuned to local news stations for weather reports.
- Adhere to all travel, road advisories and restrictions.
- Delay travel into impacted areas when possible.
- Know your evacuation routes and have a plan.
- Seal and lock all fuel tank tops.
- Secure outdoor items and clear debris that could become a projectile
- Charge all mobile phone battery packs and ensure you have charging cables.
- Put mobile devices on low-power mode to conserve battery.
- Ensure you have employee contact information and a post-storm follow-up plan to verify the status of each employee.
- Important: If you suspect your vehicle may have been flooded do not start the vehicle. Starting the vehicle may cause significant damage to the emission control system. Contact your local Penske service location or 24/7 Roadside Assistance for guidance.
Important Penske Information
Contact us if you need assistance with your lease or rental units before or after the storm:
- Penske Location and Fuel Finder Tool
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance: 1-800-526-0798
- Consumer Truck Rental Reservations: 1-888-996-5415
- Commercial Truck Rental Reservations: 1-800-736-7531
Penske Facilities Questions
Penske takes steps to ensure continued service, but there are times when delays and closures may be necessary due to travel restrictions, weather conditions, power outages or a state of emergency.
Please call our 24/7 Roadside Assistance team at 1-800-526-0798 to confirm the open or closed status of a Penske facility.
- U.S. DOT National Traffic and Road Closures and Advisories by State
- Federal Emergency Management Association(FEMA)
- FEMA Blog – Emergency Updates and Preparedness
- National Hurricane Center Storm Updates
- American Red Cross Hurricane Tips
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
Penske associates in Oklahoma City spent their day volunteering at Oklahoma Kids Korral in July — spreading the sweetness of service.
The Oklahoma Kids Korral provides daytime and overnight lodging for kids with cancer and their families. Families can stay one night, but some have been at the lodge for over a year. The design of the space is to create a relaxing atmosphere for the entire family.
Associates helped seven families – with 15 kids – decorate cupcakes.
“Everyone who participated had a blast. We got to hear their stories and how strong these kids are,” said Heather Evans, lease sales representative – existing accounts, at Penske.
Evans said that Penske chose the Oklahoma Kids Korral event because it ties into a toy drive they also do at the OU Children’s Hospital each year.
Penske Clerk Rhianna Halley is a baker on the side, which was perfect for the event.
Penske brought the cupcakes to the event, along with decorating items such as icing and sprinkles, so that the families could just show up and enjoy the event.
“The best part was seeing these kids’ creativity come to life. They were so talented and so willing to learn from Rhianna,” Evans said.
Jeff Bowers, a Penske maintenance supervisor, said that the best part was seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.
“This event meant a lot to me as a cancer survivor and also having seen children going through their cancer treatment care while I was going through mine,” Bowers said. “I got to talk to a lot of the kids and their parents about some of their experiences and also mine. As a company we were excited to do this event to help uplift their spirits.”
Evans emphasized the importance of helping the community you live in.
“Investing in our communities helps create a better world than we live in today,” she said. "We want to change lives for the better.”
By Emma Creamer, Communications and Public Relations Intern
Penske Truck Leasing took delivery of one of the first Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) Freightliner electric eCascadia Class 8 trucks at a ceremony in Yountville, California, August 20, 2019. The truck is part of Freightliner’s Electric Innovation Fleet.
“Co-creation is the cornerstone of DTNA’s strategy to rapidly develop and deploy battery-electric trucks. DTNA’s partnerships with customers like Penske provide valuable feedback for the final design of our trucks, as well as the design of the surrounding e-mobility ecosystem,” said Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of DTNA. “DTNA’s holistic approach is vital to advancing viable transportation solutions from which society as a whole will benefit.”
The Freightliner Innovation Fleet is supported by a partnership between DTNA and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) which focuses on improving air quality in the South Coast Basin and partially funded the Innovation Fleet with a nearly $16M grant. Freightliner eCascadias and medium-duty electric Freightliner eM2s from the Innovation Fleet are operated within the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction.
“We are excited to be a part of this ground breaking project that will directly impact local Southern California communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by air pollution,” said Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD’s Executive Officer. “We hope to see large scale deployments of similar zero emission trucks that will have significant environmental and health benefits across the entire state.”
Penske Truck Leasing will run eCascadias in daily delivery operations within California’s Inland Empire. “We’re pleased to continue our collaboration with Freightliner and be among the first companies putting the eCascadia to work,” said Brian Hard, president and CEO of Penske Truck Leasing. “Our first eCascadia will be used by our subsidiary Penske Logistics to make multiple, daily store deliveries on a dedicated route. Our in-house maintenance technicians are trained and well prepared, and our recent investments in charging infrastructure in the South Coast Air Basin will play an important role as we operate these cutting edge vehicles on their delivery routes.”
The Freightliner eCascadia is built on the proven foundation of the Cascadia, the best-selling Class 8 on the market and was first revealed in June 2018 along with the medium-duty eM2. The planned start of series production for both models is late 2021. In preparation for their introduction, Freightliner has established multiple avenues for co-creating with customers. Freightliner’s Electric Vehicle Council, a collective of 38 customer companies works to address the total e-mobility ecosystem. Freightliner’s Innovation Fleet provides customers with the opportunity to fully test the eM2 and the eCascadia in real world use. In total, Penske and NFI will receive 30 battery electric trucks.
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
The blush of a new school year filled with hope and promise can soften for families struggling to equip students with basic school supplies.
Recognizing the need, a group of Penske associates recently joined with the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading (DT) to provide 550 new backpacks filled with school supplies for students in Reading, Pennsylvania.
On a recent sun-kissed summer day, the backpacks were distributed from a yellow Penske truck to the arms of boys and girls who gathered with their families for the DT’s second annual Back to School and Community Resource event.
“If a child has all the materials they need to succeed in school then that is a hurdle they don’t have to jump to get excited about learning, and that’s what this is all about,” said Cassandra Brennand, senior manager of leadership and organizational development.
Among the countless smiles were those from Penske associates who embraced the backpack giveaway as part community service and part team-building effort.
“It was a great networking event for our associates to get together to have some fun and do great work for the community,” Brennand said.
People Helping People
This was the second year for the DT’s community-wide back-to-school event. In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, the event featured vendors and a cookout.
Last year, the hotel collected 200 backpacks, only to see them be out-paced by the need.
“Within 20 minutes they were gone. The hardest part for me was seeing people walking away without having a backpack or supplies,” said Alneasa Jordan, DT’s culture manager and director of human resources.
“We turned away a lot of people last year so that is why I wanted to partner with Penske,” Jordan said. “I knew you would make a dent in what we were trying to do.”
Yet, Jordan said she did not attach a goal to this year’s backpack drive.
“I was open to whatever we could get help with,” Jordan said. “When I heard the number of backpacks Penske was going to donate, I almost fell out of my chair. Those backpacks are going to help so many people, and we are so very grateful.”
Penske’s involvement in the backpack initiative grew from another outreach effort. The DT manages a Care Closet to benefit its employees. Penske associates, who were part of the company's Accelerated Development Program for Emerging Leaders, partnered with the DT to add to their Care Closet as part of the group's leadership development curriculum and team-building activity.
It was after this outreach that Penske’s Brennand said she learned about the backpack drive and last year’s shortfall. “We were more than happy to help out,” she said.
Joining with the DT in such an impactful community effort fits in with Penske’s core values. This year the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
“I think over the past 50 years Penske has been quietly serving our communities, and it’s just in our DNA,” said Erica Manento, director of executive succession and development. “We care about each other and the communities where we live and work in, and our collaboration with DT really highlights that.”
The company purchased new backpacks and supplies – notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators and pencil sharpeners for the children. Penske’s Reading District also donated a rental truck as well as 50 backpacks filled with supplies.
“We like to get involved in different charitable events. We try to do one a quarter as a district, and this fit right in,” said Michelle Gentile, Reading district manager.
Penske Strong
The night before the distribution, Penske’s district managers, branch rental managers, maintenance supervisors and management trainees – some 100 strong, in Reading for training events – forged an alliance and an assembly line to fill each backpack with much-needed school supplies.
“This is what Penske looks like,” said Jessica Stahl, manager of talent and organizational development. “We have all of our maintenance supervisors, branch rental managers, district managers and management trainees here supporting this event. This is one Penske, one cause, one everything.”
It was a feeling shared by many.
Karen Banfield, a district manager from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, said the backpack experience was motivational and inspirational. “It was interesting to see how everybody pitched in,” Banfield said. “We all had a great time doing it. It was such a good feeling.”
Desiree Clarabal, a district manager from Honolulu, Hawaii, said that feeling of giving back permeates all levels of the company. “Even at the district level it is something that we look forward to doing – giving back to the community and children or whatever the cause might be,” she said.
When Matthew Chapa, a management trainee from Huntington, West Virginia, learned about the backpack initiative, he was excited to do his part. “It made me excited that we were doing something good for a good cause for the community,” he said.
Branch rental managers Kristen Uzelac, Kevin Maloney and Nolan Bartiss may be separated geographically but all were united in their appreciation for the chance to bond with so many associates through the backpack donation.
“It is a great community outreach especially with so many levels of the company here whether it be new management trainees or new branch rental managers or district managers,” said Bartiss from Aurora, Colorado. “It is a great way for all levels of the company to come together to reach out to the community.”
Uzelac agreed.
“It is awesome because you have management trainees collaborating with levels of upper management, all working together for the same cause, for the same community, which is an incredible thing,” said Uzelac from Phoenix, Arizona. “It shows what Penske is all about – everyone working together for something greater.”
For many like Maloney, the backpack event was memorable.
"It was something that everyone involved felt committed to doing as soon as we found out about it, and it was a highlight of the week for many involved,” said Maloney from Indianapolis, Indiana.
On the day of the backpack distribution, as she stood near the Penske truck taking in the impact of all the associates accomplished, Shalimar Davis, district manager in South Las Vegas, Nevada, said the effort to assist children in need was a “true blessing” for the associates involved.
“I think it is a true blessing for us to have the opportunity to serve the community. To see the community gather around like this is a great thing to see and a true blessing that we get to be a part of it and give back,” she said. “We feel touched in a way that we want to give back more in our own communities.”
“It is a testament to what I already knew that this is a great company to be a part of and being a part of our communities is something that is important from the top down,” she said.
By Bernie Mixon
Penske Truck Leasing recently celebrated the opening of its new state-of-the-art facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Located at 1100 N. 43rd Ave and situated on 15.4 acres, and spanning 29,615-square-feet, this is the largest facility Penske has built to date.
The maintenance shop includes five truck bays, two truck box repair bays, one automatic wash bay, and a fuel island. The facility is equipped with high-tech rapid lifting and lowering mobile column truck lifts, providing a safe environment for technicians to service vehicles.
“This is our ninth full-service facility in the Phoenix area,” said Rick Pytlik, senior vice president for Penske’s western region. “We are thrilled to continue growing in the Phoenix district and to offer our customers a convenient, expansive and modern location in West Phoenix. The added capabilities and capacity at this facility will help maximize fleet uptime for our customers.”
Penske in West Phoenix offers full-service truck leasing, consumer and commercial truck rental and contract truck fleet maintenance. It is also outfitted with the company’s proprietary fully digital and voice-directed truck fleet preventive maintenance process and connected fleet solutions, a value-added resource to help customers address issues and options related to onboard technology systems (ELDs, telematics, onboard cameras, etc.).
Penske provides businesses with full-service truck leasing, truck fleet maintenance and truck rentals of straight trucks, flatbeds, refrigerated trucks and trailers, cargo vans, semi-trailers, and more. Penske leases, rents and maintains the top brands of light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles including Ford, GMC, Hino, Isuzu, Freightliner, International, and Volvo.
Penske is an industry leader in the areas of spec'ing, operating and maintaining fleets of traditionally fueled vehicles as well as alternative-fueled vehicles that include electric, natural gas, propane, and diesel-electric hybrids.
Penske hired 11 new associates for its West Phoenix location and the company intends to hire for additional positions as business continues to grow at the new facility. For a list of all open positions visit: gopenske.com/careers.
By Kim Harmsen
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
Penske associates in Duluth, Georgia, recently volunteered at the S.T.R.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Manufacturing) Kids Expo in Riverdale, Georgia, to help inspire future leaders.
From left: Anthony Bennett, Branch Service Manager, Atlanta South – Jonesboro; Marcus Werren, PL General Manager – Southeast; Niamani Knight, S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo Program Founder; Tony DeSoto, PL Strategic Account Executive
The S.T.R.E.A.M. event started five years ago by a 13-year-old named Niamani Knight. The goal of S.T.R.E.A.M’s is “to create a memorable, interactive learning experience for kids, schools and communities and increase access to S.T.R.E.A.M. programs for youth,” according to the Facebook page.
More than 400 children between ages 3 and 10 participated in the event July 12 at the Riverdale Health Center. Participating Penske associates explained that the event hopes to teach and expose children to things that will have an impact in their life.
Penske teamed up with customer PPG for the S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo. Penske wants to continue to support PPG and their community efforts, so helping at the S.T.R.E.A.M. event was a good way to support the loyal customer.
From left: Malesia Dunn, PPG Executive Director, PPG Foundation & Global Corporate Social Responsibility; Tony DeSoto, PL Strategic Account Executive; Don Donatelli, PPG Director, Logistics & Distribution
Penske brought a truck to the event to display its technology, explained the important role of a truck driver and showed the connections that companies make with each other by sharing the business relationship between Penske and PPG.
“We wanted to give back to the community that we service. The community’s dedication to helping youth and mentoring future business leaders of America was exciting to see,” said Tony DeSoto, strategic account executive, Penske Logistics.
Marcus Werren, general manager, described the event as a collaborative effort across the enterprise.
“This event targets a group of kids that would not normally be exposed to this type of event,” said Brian Peterman, manager of operations.
Riverdale’s mayor attended the event, which featured a performance by Atlanta pop stars Gabby and Madi.
“The best part was seeing the kids really engaged,” DeSoto said. “There weren’t any kids twiddling their thumbs. There was so much to do and learn at the event, and that is what made it great.”
The associates who participated were Tony DeSoto, Marcus Werren, Brian Peterman, Anthony Bennett, Alicia Hall, Scott Schmidt and Roderick McGkenzie. PPG participants were Marsha Mosley and Don Donatelli.
Penske is already planning to participate in next year’s expo.
By Emma Creamer, Communications and PR Intern
Penske Truck Leasing has completed a second round of electric vehicle maintenance training at its facility in San Diego, California. Ten Penske technicians from five locations in southern California, where Penske's electric fleet is domiciled, participated in the daylong training on maintenance procedures for commercial electric vehicles.
“Prior to our training sessions, we conducted a great deal of research and spent time working with the OEMs to understand the vehicles and mold our established maintenance practices to meet what's required for commercial EVs," explained Mike Hasinec, vice president of maintenance at Penske. “Our technicians are excited to work on these new battery-electric vehicles and learn the nuances through the curriculum we've established."
In addition to training Penske technicians on maintenance procedures, every associate at these five facilities is educated on proper EV safety procedures. On hand in San Diego, were ten California Highway Patrol officers who also took part in the training from a safety perspective.
This is just the beginning for Penske when it comes to EVs and maintenance. Additional training sessions and workshops are on the horizon as the company continues to grow its electric fleet and further its commitment to being on the forefront of vehicle electrification.
Related Reading:
- Penske Installs High-Speed Commercial Electric Charging Stations
- Penske Adds FUSO eCanter Electric Trucks to its Trucking Fleet
- Penske Takes Delivery of First Electric Truck from Daimler
By Kim Harmsen
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
Penske associates from the Boston District participated in the Travis Mills Foundation Plane Pull to support injured veterans and their families.
Held June 8 at the Portland International Jetport, Portland, Maine, the plane pull featured corporate-sponsored teams pulling a Boeing 757. The plane weighed 80 tons, which equals to roughly 6,400 pounds of weight being pulled by each team member.
Travis Mills is a veteran quadruple amputee who turned a horrific event into something positive — the Travis Mills Foundation. He travels the world as a motivational speaker and has a New York Times bestselling memoir, “Tough as They Come.”
Mills’ quote, “Never give up. Never quit,” has inspired many, especially the Penske team that participated.
According to the Travis Mills Foundation website, the foundation “supports post 9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.”
The foundation supports veterans through a retreat located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. The retreat is an all-inclusive, all-expense paid, barrier-free vacation where they can participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veterans and enjoy rest and relaxation that Maine’s outdoors provides.
Some of the 20 adaptive activities offered at the retreat include cycling, hiking, golfing, ice fishing, boating and pottery.
In 2017, the foundation hosted 84 veteran families to the Maine retreat.
Penske Branch Manager Robert Hubbard was the organizer of Penske’s involvement in the Travis Mills Foundation Plane Pull.
Hubbard said that getting associates to volunteer was easy — they were all so supportive of the cause.
“Travis is a quad amputee with an incredible attitude,” Hubbard said. “His sense of humor and upbeat personality make it an easy event to support.”
The event exceeded the original $50,000 goal and in the end raised over $100,000, which is able to support 100 families. Penske associates raised $3,400.
Hubbard said the event was successful.
“I was very excited to be a part of the event. Knowing about Travis, when the opportunity came up to support him and veterans, we were more than happy to help.”
Penske’s District Manager Chad Hough said that getting the whole Boston District together was a big deal.
“We had people from the south end of our district come up to the very northern part — Portland, Maine, for such a great cause, and it was just cool to have everyone together. Maine is a ‘do business with your neighbor; support your neighbor’ type of environment. The best part was seeing the community there to support each other,” Hough said.
By Emma Creamer, Communications and PR intern