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Each quarter, the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association (WMCA) names three ‘Drivers of the Month’ who demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to safety. In May 2024, the honor went to Robert Haats, a van truckload driver at Schneider. He was recognized for this award on March 15, 2025 during a banquet at Lambeau Field.
“I never in my life thought I’d get anything like that,” Robert said. “I put in a lot of hard work to get to where I am. It’s amazing I could make it that far.”
With an impressive track record of 3 million safe driving miles, here’s how Robert has consistently prioritized excellence and reliability throughout his 27 years of consecutive safe driving.
Becoming a truck driver
Truck driving wasn’t always part of Robert’s career plans.
He worked in construction for nearly two decades while living in Fargo, North Dakota. But Robert's life took an unexpected turn in 1997 when he and his wife traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin. There, they joined other fans for a watch party as the Green Bay Packers took on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. They fell in love with the area and decided to move to the Dairy State.
Being in a new city, Robert decided it was time for a career change. One day, while driving around Green Bay, he spotted Schneider’s Driver Training Center.
“It was almost like it was meant to be,” Robert said. “It was like a beacon calling to me.”
Intrigued by the opportunity, Robert discovered Schneider offered company-paid CDL training, which made the idea of becoming a truck driver even more appealing. He enrolled in the program and, in 1998, at the age of 40, proudly started his career as a Schneider driver.
Learning the ropes
Being a truck driver in 1998 was a much different experience compared to today. Robert remembers doing things like:
- Using an atlas to plan his routes.
- Creating cue cards about the places he’d deliver loads to.
- Recording his hours of service (HOS) on paper logs.
Getting the hang of all driving entailed wasn’t easy at first, but Robert stayed determined.
“I wasn’t perfect, but I never gave up,” Robert said. “There are people at Schneider who are there to help you. If you don’t know what you’re doing, ask for help.”
Prioritizing safety and healthy habits
Averaging about 2,800 miles per week, safety has always been Robert’s top priority. He relies on his years of experience and Schneider’s comprehensive training to keep himself – and others – safe.
“Schneider is a good company, especially if you’re a new driver like I started out as,” Robert said. “They’re constantly teaching and training you to be a safe driver, which is very important out on the road. Plus, the trucks’ safety features, especially side-guard assist, are a life saver.”
Beyond his training, Robert credits three habits for maintaining his safety on the road: exercising often, eating right and getting enough sleep. He follows a specific routine to stay sharp.
“Every time I take my 10-hour break, I walk around my truck 60 times,” Robert said. “Then, I do my resistance bands, stretch and read. Then, I go to bed to get my eight hours of sleep to ensure I’m well-rested to drive the next day.”
Collecting distinctions
In addition to being named a WMCA Driver of the Month, Robert has achieved several other milestones for his commitment to safety and reliability, including:
His advice for new drivers?
“Go with the flow,” Robert said. “Be calm and patient. If you do that, you’ll do a lot better.”
Giving back to the community
In his free time, Robert volunteers a few times a month at Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay, a non-profit that provides families with emergency food options. He drives a delivery truck to pick up food from grocery stores and farmer’s markets, which the pantry distributes to those in need.
“I’m happy to use my experience to drive some of the bigger trucks they have,” Robert said. “It feels good to give back to the community and help out in the best way I can.”
