Casella Waste Systems, Inc. dedicated its CDL Training Center to Ken Hier, the company鈥檚 first-ever employee, in a ceremony held at the facility on December 12. Established in 2020, The Kenneth A. Hier Sr. CDL Training Center has graduated nearly 300 drivers since its inception, providing the necessary training to achieve their commercial driver鈥檚 license free of charge. A standing-room-only crowd of friends and family, colleagues, legislative officials, customers, and vocational school partners were on hand to honor Hier, who passed away in January.
Hier, the first employee hired at Casella in聽1976, embodied a steadfast commitment to safety and customer service, performing over one million successful service stops throughout his 41-year career.听Known by many as 鈥淭he Man on the Mountain鈥� from his long-running television commercial that highlighted his commitment to customers through all conditions on Killington Mountain, Hier was named the National Waste and Recycling Association’s Driver of the Year in 1996, and in聽2017聽Casella dubbed him its Driver of a Lifetime.
鈥淭he reality of our business is pretty simple, in that the only way that you succeed is through your people,鈥� said Casella Chairman and CEO John W. Casella. 鈥淣o one illustrated that more clearly than Ken Hier. His commitment to service and safety was at the forefront of everything he did, and his example will continue to be a cornerstone for every graduate who comes through this training center.鈥�
Vermont鈥檚 Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Lindsay Kurrle underscored the need for newly trained drivers, who cited shifting demographic challenges and applauded Casella鈥檚 efforts to overcome them and sustain economic resilience. 鈥淚t鈥檚 truly inspiring to have a major employer be a part of the solution by opening this facility to get more truck drivers on the road and more mechanics in the garage. Trucking is part of the American fabric. It keeps commerce flowing, businesses thriving, and workers employed,鈥� she said.
The Center, which provides training, room, and board valued at $5,000 per student, is held over 10 days, has a nearly 100 percent pass rate for its graduates, and requires a two-year employment commitment. 鈥淲e commit to the students, who in turn commit to our company,鈥� Casella said. 鈥淲e have seen over the last four years that drivers who successfully come through the program have an incredibly high retention rate past that initial commitment.鈥�
Hier鈥檚 family was also on hand to celebrate the dedication, and Ken鈥檚 daughter, Courtney, encouraged recent graduates and current students in attendance to follow in the path set by her father and 鈥渙ffer your skills and your performance to build on the mission of customer service, teamwork, and integrity.鈥�
鈥淥ur continued growth and success are predicated on the investments we make in our people,鈥� Casella said in closing. 鈥淎nyone can buy the same equipment, software, and trucks, but our people and their commitment to our Core Values and culture are the keys to our success.”