PANAMA CITY BEACH — A pair of Waste Pro truck drivers left work $10,000 richer Friday, thanks to a bonus provided by the company for three years of spotless performance.
Tommy Pituch and Ray Stephens each were honored with Waste Pro’s Safety Award, given to employees who keep their driving records clean, including no accidents, injuries or property damage, exude excellent customer service and maintain a positive attitude, perfect attendance record and clean truck.
“It takes a lot of skill, a lot of time and a lot of patience to achieve what they achieved,” said Norm Girardin, division manager for Waste Pro in Panama City Beach. “Company-wide, these are the first employees in the Panama City Beach location” to receive the award.
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Waste Pro, which operates locations across eight states in the Southeast, has been handing out $10,000 safety bonuses for more than a decade. Since the program’s creation in 2004, the company has given more than $1 million to its top-tier employees.
Both Pituch and Stephens work as “roll-off” drivers, collecting construction and demolition debris, and have been with the company since 2011.
Pituch thanked his family, wife, Holly, and kids, Michael and Miranda, for always being there for him. With two college-aged kids and a home that needs a new roof, he said the bonus is pretty much already spent.
Stephens said he hopes to use the money to pay off some bills, give to God and “have some fun with some of it.” The Calhoun County resident also thanked his family — wife, Starla, and two daughters, Savannah and Brittany – for their support.
“I’ve got an awesome family. ... I’ve been blessed,” said Stephens, adding the award was the result of consistently doing your best. “It’s just coming to work and doing your job ... just show up and do your best. It’s nice to work for a company that does recognize people that do their job.”