Shrewsbury, Mass. — Advantage Truck Group (ATG) officially named the eight recipients of its 2025 Pete DePina Legacy Award this September, highlighting top-tier performance across its dealership network in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The awards program serves as an annual benchmark for the company, singling out personnel who mirror the work ethic and professional dedication of the late Pete DePina.
Dealer networks like ATG serve as the primary lifeline for the trucking industry, as maintenance and repair speed directly correlate to uptime for the individual owner-operator. When technicians and service advisors go above and beyond the standard repair ticket, it prevents costly delays for drivers working on tight delivery schedules. ATG leadership emphasizes that these awards are not just internal accolades, but a recognition of those who maintain the operational standards required to keep commercial freight moving through the Northeast corridor.
ATG President and CEO Kevin Holmes noted that the selected winners consistently exceed expectations in their daily interactions with customers and coworkers. By fostering a culture that prioritizes service quality, the company aims to reduce the frustration often associated with mechanical downtime. These individuals were selected based on their ability to elevate service standards across the ATG network, ensuring that drivers receive reliable support when they pull into the shop.
What This Means for Drivers
Reliable service centers are critical for any CDL-A driver attempting to manage a logbook while dealing with unexpected mechanical failures. ATG’s commitment to recognizing staff who prioritize customer service suggests a focus on faster turnaround times for routine maintenance and complex engine diagnostics. For the owner-operator, this translates to less time sitting in a waiting room and more time generating revenue on the road. Professional drivers should look for service locations that actively incentivize high-performance behavior among their technicians.
Industry Reaction
The broader trucking industry continues to grapple with a shortage of skilled diesel technicians, making the retention of high-quality shop personnel a top priority for major dealerships. By institutionalizing awards that honor employee attitude and performance, companies like ATG are working to stabilize their workforce in a competitive labor market. This approach is increasingly common among top-tier maintenance providers who understand that the quality of the shop experience is a primary factor for professional drivers when choosing where to service their equipment. As trucking companies are hiring to meet capacity demands, the reliability of the supporting dealer infrastructure remains a cornerstone of fleet efficiency.
Key Points
- Eight employees received the 2025 Pete DePina Legacy Award for outstanding service.
- The award recognizes staff contributions across ATG locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
- ATG leadership credits these specific team members for elevating the service standards of the entire network.
- The program honors the legacy of Pete DePina by highlighting excellence in customer interactions and workplace attitude.
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