Chrisman’s Matt Haton receives master level training award
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After three years with Nussbaum Transportation, Chrisman resident Matt Haton has reached the master level in training. On June 16th, Nussbaum made the announcement on their Facebook page after Haton had spent over forty weeks working with their trainees.
“I’m humble that they gave myself and another trainer the title,” Matt said. “Though I’m just doing my job. When there is a new hire that needs trained, I’m almost always sure that I’ll take them on.”
One graduate stated: “Matt was an awesome trainer. He knows what he’s doing and teaches it well. I learned a lot about being responsible and reliable from him and his communication skills were great. I think he is a great trainer for people like me who are new to commercial truck driving.”
Though he’s excelling in his work, being a truck driver wasn’t something that Matt saw himself doing at a young age. “I didn’t always see myself doing this. I always enjoyed art and wanted to do something with that, but I also needed to be able to support my family,” Haton told us. “Trucking was about the best opportunity to be able to support my family.”
Out of a job and looking for employment, Haton started with Roehl Transportation through a ‘Get Your CDL’ program.
In 2020, Matt began training new employees at Nussbaum. In that same year, he became a ‘Certified Red’, a program that makes good drivers even better drivers.
“There’s multiple levels and you get a little bonus after each level. Each level is completed after 100,000 miles of safe driving, no accidents, no tickets and no late deliveries,” Haton said. “There is a little ceremony when you complete the initial phase and are recognized as being certified red. You get a decal put on the truck and a ring, almost like a class ring. Each level, you get a diamond put into it.”
Haton is also a ‘Road Captain’. A road captain is where new drivers are assigned a road captain to help transition into the Nussembaum habits and help with loads and score cards. He’s also a platinum driver, which he earned by his monthly scorecard being in the 700’s.
“I’ve pretty much have got as high as I can get as a driver. My trainer Hugh Sands that I had when I came to Nussbaum for a two week refresher, we still talk about every day. We’re best friends. He’s like my brother,” Matt said. “He tells me all the time how great it is to see how successful I’ve become as a driver for Nussbaum.”
As a trainer, the level of knowledge that Matt’s trainees have varies. Sometimes he will get guys who just finished driving school or some that haven’t been in a truck besides school. “Those are my favorite because they’re like a block of clay and I get to help mold them into professional drivers,” Haton said. “I also get guys who haven’t driven for very long or have been out of a truck for a while. Those are usually two week refreshers. They get used to the truck and equipment again.”
For the regular students, they are with Haton or other trainers for four weeks, then on their own for another four weeks.
After that time, they come back to Haton to do mountain training. “I take them out west to Washington or Oregon usually. It takes a lot of time and patience. I like that I get to teach them and mold them into great professional drivers and see them grow and succeed in their career.”
At age 39, retirement seems far off, but Haton has thought about his retirement. “I’m not sure what the future holds for driving. I would like to continue to grow with Nussbaum and possibly move into the office and retire from them because they have a great retirement program since we are employee owned,” Matt said. “Whenever I do retire, I just want to spend time with my family and fish. Maybe open a restaurant because cooking is my other passion.”
Haton will be married to his wife, Bobbie Jo, for nineteen years in September.
The couple has four children together, Tobie, Brodie, Whitnie and Rockie and are members of the Chrisman Christian Church. Haton is also an Army Veteran and their oldest son, Tobie, has decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He is currently in Basic Training.
In addition to driving, Matt is currently in college for a Bachelors in Graphic Design, something he’s been doing for twelve years.
