During Saia's regional meetings held this February, HST Terminal Manager David Hanlon was named the 2017-2018 Tony Richards Award recipient.

The Tony Richards Award is Saia’s highest honor. The award’s namesake was a well-respected regional manager who began working for Saia when the company’s coverage was little more than two states. He is credited with helping to spread the Saia culture through multiple expansions as we grew to serve over 30 states. Tony made an indelible impression on the many people he touched throughout his career because of his passion for Saia, its employees, and customers. Sadly, he was forced to step down from his position because of a terminal illness.

Tony passed away in 2005, but during his lifetime, he epitomized all the qualities the award stands for. It is given annually to the individual who personifies the traits that made Tony such a beloved and respected part of our history.

David’s selection was based on his concern and dedication to his employees, his tireless work on behalf of Saia’s customers, and his sheer will in overcoming the challenges presented by Hurricane Harvey last year.

According to one nominator, David and his team overcame one of the worst freight and human tragedies they’d ever witnessed after Hurricane Harvey left portions of Texas and the Gulf Coast devastated this past summer. He said he listened to the update calls and could hear the pride and concern in David’s voice and he knew the minute David found out he could get to the terminal, he would be there.

This nominator said David essentially moved into the bunkhouse as “after all this was his terminal, his people, and his customers.” He said he heard from countless, amazed customers who couldn’t believe the Houston terminal was open, taking care of business.

“As I watched the news coverage the night the hurricane made landfall, I remember thinking how an event of this kind could define a company. I knew that if I needed to pick a leader to head the terminal effort to recover from a hurricane, (David would) be that person,” he said. “The thing that impressed me most was not his physical efforts or the fact that Houston was first on the street, what most impressed me was the fact that his first thoughts were of his people.”

Another person who nominated David said, “The recovery in the Houston market was nothing short of amazing. The minute David found out there was a way to reach the terminal, he was there, suitcase in hand, and ready to stay in the bunkhouse as long as it took to get the terminal not only up and running, but current.”

He said that the first day of operations was a testament of how the Houston employees feel about David and Saia as the minute the doors opened, employees were flooding in to see what they could do to help.

“On the first night, the Houston terminal processed over 140 loads of inbound freight and were prepared to hit the street running the next day,” he explained. “Only a great leader and great people could accomplish this.”

Outside of the leadership David showed during the aftermath of the hurricane, the Houston terminal consistently produces best-in-class results with regard to load average, first appointment percentages, dock bills per hour, forced freight bills, city bills and stops per hour, and claims ratio.

“I had the pleasure of knowing Tony Richard,” said one of his nominators. “I am absolutely confident that he’d agree that David Hanlon would be a perfect pick for an award given in his honor.”