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COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

Introducing this month’s Legend:

Rick Crawford

This Legend’s nominee comes to us with 31 years of experience in the transportation industry, and over 3 million safe miles to date. When hauling personal items for a client, he is a true professional engaging with each customer; demonstrating compassion and a special interest to exceed far more than expected. He believes in the value of establishing relationships with his clients. Therefore, setting a goal to further expand the customer’s expectations on every delivery.

Safety is the first step to ensure each job is successful. He utilizes all safety measures in a deliberate manner. In doing so, he has developed an excellent reputation for displaying a level of high-quality performance in his work. With his continued focus to be customer driven, he has secured a career in an industry on high demand for efficiency, professionalism and dedication, in which he embodies with experience and precision.

The Journey to Understanding

Meet Rick Crawford… He is originally from the state of Washington. All of his immediate family reside there still today and though he moved around a bit as a child, his family eventually made their way back. Rick’s father proudly served in the military for 22 years. As a soldier of the U.S. Army, he fought in the Korean War and then again, during the Vietnam War. His mother is of German descent. The two met while his father was stationed in Germany. Later, returning to the states his father completed his military career in 1968.

Having a father with a strong work ethic, those same morals of accepting your own personal obligations were taught at an early age. As a young teenager he learned that responsibilities such as work and respect were to both be earned and never taken for granted. His father represented himself as the exact role model Rick is today: knowledgeable, skillful, and constructive.

At age 15, Rick balanced his school studies while maintaining two part-time jobs. One was at a bottling factory where he operated a position on the maintenance line. His other job paid $1.79 an hour at the local ice cream parlor. That starting wage was considered good money at the time.

Rick’s father firmly believed that every man should earn his fair share in this world. Working hard was not an option, but a way of life. The harder you worked, the more rewarding life would prove to be in return. Money and success was never an objective for Rick’s mentor. That identical pride has played an essential part of the groundwork to the humble man he is now. The preparation into adulthood and today’s work force helped Rick improve his craft throughout the years, in which he developed his own personal pledge of commitment in delivering nothing less than excellence.

In a small Cabover pulling a 24ft. trailer, Rick gained the basics to operating the vehicle, along with patience and a genuine love for his trade. Rick joined his father full-time in the moving industry. The company they worked for did mostly local work for military families transferring in or out of town. By 17, Rick landed a job with a trucking company based out of Tacoma, Washington as a laborer on the loading docks. Already having some experience within the trucking business from working side by side with his father, this opportunity expanded his entire future goals. Being in close contact with the drivers of the trucks coming in and out of the docks, ultimately led Rick to his next venture.

Recognizing Greatness

Rick joined the driving force of Graebel Van Lines in 1987 on a mission to purchase a truck of his own. He states, “My dream was to own a truck, run a good business and enjoy what I do. I’m sure it sounds simple, maybe even small, but that was my dream.” The owner of the truck that Rick had been driving quickly handed over all rights to the vehicle three months in. Rick took over the payments and everything started from there. His first year in business was a bit bumpy with a few learning curves to adjust to, but once Rick dedicated himself to the company he guaranteed his loyalty from there on out.

“From the very beginning, they did everything they said they would do for me. I decided immediately that I will stick with Graebel Van Lines for as long as they will have me.” He continued, “The three main things that have helped me, I learned from my father. Number one, of course is work hard. Next, always present yourself as a professional. Do not be sloppy with your manners, no matter what. My parents would tell me that it didn’t matter if you cleaned toilets for a living, if it pays then it’s work and be happy with it, but to do your job to the best of your ability as a professional. And lastly, be honest. That’s with any job. You have to be honest. If you approach your profession with these three objectives and a positive attitude, then everything will work out. Not every day is going to be great and on those more trying days, finish it out then start the next one again with that same positive thinking as before. As long as you are engaging each customer with that mindset and meeting their wants and needs, you can make a difference.

Also, remember your customers don’t know you from Adam. In the midst of their move and trusting strangers with their valuables, the last thing you want to do is add to the obvious stressful situation. I always take notice to my customer’s surroundings and use the pieces to engage in conversation. It means a lot to me that these people realize that I understand how important their personal items are and that I will personally see to it that it all gets moved properly and that they can trust me in doing so. I take extra care of their possessions and their trust.”

It is that specific determination that has kept Rick Crawford at the top of Graebel Van Line’s leader board for consecutive years. Rick is highly valued as a veteran driver and known to receive positive feedback from many satisfied customers, branding him as another great GVL ambassador. The company acknowledges Rick for his hard work and dedication to providing quality service, in which he has been presented multiple awards in his favor; such as, the Performance Recognition Award in 1995, and again in 1997.

Rick’s ratings go well-above and beyond his job description, earning him top honors for his continuous display of leadership. These accolades include: Driver of the Year 2011, 2012 and 2014. In 2013, he scored second place. He has made the Graebel Van Lines All Star Fleet many times and is currently in the running to receive the AMSA Super Driver of the Year. This once in a lifetime achievement award is yet to be announced.

Rick’s professionalism is inspiring. Whether being a customer, a co-worker, or office personnel, his ability to go the extra mile in performing all tasks further than expected, influences those who witness his level of dedication. Therefore, implementing similar work efforts to excel, as well. By motivating others through his own actions, Rick has proven to be an instrumental asset to Graebel Van Lines.

Empowering Cornerstone

Any strong support system can enable a person to go great lengths to achieve a goal. Encouragement from a loved one comes with extreme importance and serves as a vital element in building the firm foundation of a person’s integrity. Rick acquires strength and relies on the stability of his loved ones in order to achieve all accomplishments because of their teamwork together. Stemming back to his parents’ wise words of advice as a young adult to his wife, Sherri and her unconditional love; by surrounding himself with a cornerstone of guidance his confidence in all that he does will always exhibit the etiquette of the professional he is.

In speaking with Sherri, she expresses how they have overcome the strains that come with the profession, and why she feels her husband is so good at what he does. “I think what makes Rick such a great mover, is that he really cares about his customers. He goes out of his way to make them feel at ease and earn their trust. Rick is a rare professional mover in that he cares about providing the best possible service for his customers, has very low claims for damage and strives to excel in the area of safety. We have had many wonderful opportunities to see a lot of exciting places throughout the United States during the last 25 years. Truck driving/professional mover is a stressful job. There is a lot of responsibility with regard to transporting the customer’s furniture safely, DOT/safety and new rules, adverse weather conditions, etc. There is also the down side of the time away from home and Rick has had to miss many important events over the years. I think we have worked hard to keep our marriage strong and embrace the good aspects of the job which helps us make it through some of the more stressful times. In the end we probably wouldn’t change a thing.”

COO of Graebel Val Lines, Chris Preston had this to say of Rick:

“Rick brings a number of positive attributes to Graebel Van Lines. His great attitude and approach with all he encounters, confidence in his ability and experience to challenge the process and make recommendations to improve the overall HHG move experience. He is also business savvy and educates other contractors on the best way to manage their business. What we appreciate the most, is his passion for this business and that he loves what he does!”

A couple of hobbies that Rick is fond of is bike riding and fly fishing. Occasionally, he carries his bike with him on the road and will ride it around New York or D.C., even Colorado. There’s a group that bike together that Sherri and Rick go with on the weekends when their schedules allow it. For the past eight years, Rick retreats to Alaska to fly fish. Rick has three children: Jon, Mike and Alicia. Jon drives for Graebel Van Lines, as well. He is going on his eighth year with the company, currently running local work.

Rick is driving a 2016 T680 Kenworth. When he is not away on the road, he enjoys working at the warehouse. During his time there, he helps other drivers load or unload their trucks. Sometimes he is there to simply lend an ear to another or provide helpful information. Whichever the case may be, Rick never misses a chance to be of assistance.