Meet The Winners: Hilldrup’s 7th Annual Best of the Best Awards
Congratulations to the professionals across our organization who shined brightest in 2024!
Taking place at The Publisher Hotel in Fredericksburg, VA, Hilldrup was thrilled to celebrate the professionals and teams that made our 2024 successful. From sales awards to honoring those who epitomized our six values the most, it was a night to remember as we celebrated the people behind our wins.
As part of our 7th annual Best of the Best Awards, Hilldrup President and CEO, Charles W. McDaniel welcomed guests before the awards presentation and celebratory dinner began. Without further ado, meet Hilldrup’s 2024 Best of the Best Winners, by category, below.
Hilldrup Van Operator of the Year – Kal Nikolchev
A long-distance driver for Hilldrup for the past 5 years, Kal Nikolchev’s story is an impressive one. Born and raised in Bulgaria, Kal immigrated to the United States at only 23 years old. He worked at a moving company taking a summer job and learned the business to run his own moving company. He later left that role and began working as a Van Operator and joined Hilldrup’s long distance operations.
John Seal, Senior Vice President, Operations, shared the attributes that are required to be a top-rated Van Operator. They include: an outstanding business acumen, customer service skills, immaculate commercial driving record, technical expertise, leadership, and physical strength.
“Kal has all of those things just in spades,” shared John.
Always taking total accountability for his operation, his success speaks volumes. Kal is a 1-rated driver who in 2024 hauled 57 shipments – and packed most of those; drove 58,919 miles with zero safety infractions; held a claims ratio of 0.37; a customer satisfaction rating is 99.26 and a 100% rating in updating Flex and Stride.
Incredible work, Kal and congratulations!
Branch of the Year – Orlando
The Branch of the Year award encompasses a wide range of key metrics that include revenue, quality, safety, claims and overall profitability to determine which of Hilldrup’s 10 branches was most successful overall. From our office and sales professionals to our Operations teams who serve the Orlando metropolitan area and beyond, congratulations on Hilldrup Orlando for winning this honor a third time!
“I think this is the most important Branch of the Year Awards that we’ve ever won. The team harnessed the growth and yet still met all the metrics required to get Branch of the Year and I could not be more proud,” shared Ed Fitzgerald, Vice President and General Manager – Orlando. “I would guess in my entire career this is probably one of the biggest honors that I can take back to the team.”
2024 Value of the Year Winners
Hilldrup’s six Value of the Year Award Winners are the embodiment of our company values thanks to their efforts, service and dedication to our internal and external customers alike. In 2024, a total of 99 Value of the Year nominations were received. Congratulations to each of our Value of the Year Award Winners who were awarded a plaque and check for $5,000.
Pictured from left to right, our winners include (pictured from left to right):
- Pete Fillis – Uncompromised Integrity
- Reuven Kremer – Unwavering Commitment
- Heather Frields – Infectious Positivity
- Jason Studer – Fearless Communication
- Debbie Tulloch – Empowered Accountability
- Shelly Snyder – Purposeful Agility
Residential, Workplace Solutions and National Account Sales Award Winners
Representing multiple branches and business lines, congratulations to these professionals whose work resulted in outstanding revenue and profitability. They include:
- Sales Excellence Award, Workplace Solutions – Nigel Kelly
- Sales Excellence Award, National Account Sales – Carrie Takamatsu
- Sales Impact Award, National Account Sales – Bucky Burden
- Sales Impact Award, Workplace Solutions – Matthew Caler and the Workplace Solutions Client Services team, including Vitaly Willis and Richard Snyder
- Sales Impact & Sales Excellence Award, Residential – Pete Ball
- Sales MVP Award, Workplace Solutions – John Kibbe
Thank you to Onie Girton for coordinating this year’s event, The Publisher Hotel in Fredericksburg and to each of our employes for their participation and support in this year’s event. It was a joy to highlight and thank our teams whose contributions and commitment to our Mission, Vision and Values really shined in 2024. We look forward to celebrating these winners throughout the year!
