Trucking Industry News

DEARBORN, Mich- Eastern Michigan Kenworth President and Dealer Principal Jesse Berger recently received a Young Leader and Excellence Award from the Automotive Hall of Fame at its annual induction ceremony at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.
 
"I feel incredibly honored to receive the award from the Automotive Hall of Fame," Berger said. "I remember the museum from my college days at Northwood University. I just feel so humbled to be recognized among the best and the brightest in the industry."
 
The Automotive Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding achievement in the automotive and related industries. With its Young Leader and Excellence Award, it honors persons age 40 or under who have demonstrated significant potential as future industry leaders. Berger is one of four individuals who received the award at a black tie reception and awards ceremony. Also honored were Gregory S. Christensen, a manufacturing and engineering supervisor for Ford Motor Company; Dilip Dubey, chief executive officer of Netlink; and Christine K. Lambert, a technical leader with Ford Motor Company.
 
Berger joined the Kenworth dealership network in 2006 after working at his family's longtime business - Berger & Sons Truck Service. He remodeled the repair facility and company office into Eastern Michigan Kenworth-Clinton Township. His company started out with 12 employees and $2 million in annual sales and grew to a total of 90 employees and sales of $22 million in 2008. The company's Kenworth locations also include Eastern Michigan Kenworth in Dearborn and Central Michigan Kenworth in Lansing. Berger was also recognized earlier this year by Crain's Detroit Business magazine as one of the 40 best and brightest in southeast Michigan, who have made their marks in business before age 40.
 
"I started my career early at a very young age of 10 when I would pump gas at my family's gas station and get quarter tips," Berger said. "Pumping gas is not a big accomplishment, but pumping gas and cleaning windshields taught me the value of good customer service at a young age.
 
"Since then, I have stayed ahead of the age curve," the 38-year-old Kenworth dealer principal said. "What motivates me is achieving my dreams and one of them is to build the best Kenworth dealer organization in the state of Michigan." 
 
Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales, said Kenworth is pleased that the Automotive Hall of Fame is honoring one of the company's brightest new dealers. "In a short amount of time, Jesse Berger has shown us great potential with what he's done and accomplished," Moore said. "Jesse represents The World's Best trucks well and provides customers in eastern and central Michigan the outstanding customer service for which Kenworth is renowned. We look to see many more great things from this young man and it's obvious that so do many others in the industry."
 
The Automotive Hall of Fame was started in 1939 by a group of men who dedicated their lives to the progress of the motor vehicle industry. The group, which was known as the "Automobile Old Timers," was dedicated to honoring automotive people from all industry segments and from around the world. The organization moved several times before settling at its present location in Dearborn in 1997.
 
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World's Best(R) heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company's dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, medium duty diesel-electric hybrids, liquefied natural gas trucks, and the Kenworth Clean Power(R) no-idle system. This year, Kenworth became the first truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. In addition, Kenworth is the recipient of the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates awards for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for both Over the Road Segment and Pickup and Delivery Segment Class 8 Trucks, and for Heavy Duty Dealer Service. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com . Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.