Missouri honors fleet for hiring veterans

Jennifer Wade (right) of the Missouri Division of Workplace Development presents the Flag of Freedom award to Averitt Express’ St. Louis service center director Scot Hollocher (left) and driver Joseph Ailshie (center). Ailshie served in the United States Marine Corps during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.Jennifer Wade (right) of the Missouri Division of Workplace Development presents the Flag of Freedom award to Averitt Express’ St. Louis service center director Scot Hollocher (left) and driver Joseph Ailshie (center). Ailshie served in the United States Marine Corps during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The Missouri Division of Workplace Development recently recognized Averitt Express for its commitment to hiring military veterans.

The Cookeville, Tennessee-based fleet was presented with the Flag of Freedom honor as part of its Show-Me Heroes program.

More than 20 percent of Averitt’s current employees have served in the military. Averitt has pledged to hire 1,200 more veterans by 2020.

“We’re very humbled to receive this recognition from the Show-Me Heroes program,” said Elise Leeson, Averitt’s vice president of human resources. “Adding veterans to our team is a win-win for everyone, because they know the importance of teamwork and helping each other for a common cause.”