Butts TMC’s May Trainer of the Month

DES MOINES, Iowa – Captain Jelly Bean, Mr. Positive, Deputy Sunflower. No, they’re not the newest group of superheroes in the Marvel Universe, just a few of the handles TMC Transportation drivers have taken on as part of the way Blaine Butts builds a rapport with his driver trainees.

Butts is TMC’s Trainer of the Month of May 2019. When it comes to his training style, the River Oaks, Texas, native does his best to be a friend and mentor out on the road. He shares the triumphs and challenges he has faced over the years, and works very hard to build great relationships with everyone. 

That’s where the handles or nicknames come into play. Butts’ superhero alter ego is “Captain Jelly Bean.” The first driver he trained was his wife, Lisa, and the handle she chose was “Hush Puppy.” They drove as a team for seven years, during which time Butts trained drivers off and on. When Lisa returned to school, he took on training on a full-time basis.

Some of his other trainees grabbed handles such as Wicker Man, Wild Alaska and Hammerhead, reflecting their own unique personalities and interests.

“I take care of my trainees the best I can, just like TMC does for me,” Butts said. “Being a trainer has also made me a better driver, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to do the same.”

Driver trainers are vital to the TMC training department. Each month one is chosen who demonstrates the outstanding qualities TMC, the nation’s largest employee-owned flatbed transportation company, looks for in a trainer. The Trainer of the Month is chosen based on their safety record and the safety performance of their trainees, the number of drivers trained and the retention percentage of those drivers.

Butts started his professional driving career in June 2010 after a long career in manufacturing. After two years on the road he knew training was the next step on his career path.

“I wanted to find something new and a job my wife and I could do together,” he said. “TMC gave me that opportunity, and it seemed like the perfect fit.

“Everyone in the training department runs such a good program, and I believe it’s the best in the world. Wanting to train came from loving TMC and wanting to help be a part of our continued success.”

TMC Transportation provides expert transportation services and supply-chain management solutions throughout the 48 contiguous states. Founded in 1972, TMC is known for its integrity, innovation, superior safety record and dedication to quality and customer service. Its claim-free, on-time delivery record is consistently recognized by its customers.

By Wright Media staff from promotional material