Delivering Dedication: Meet the Driver Behind the Wheel, Roy

What’s your role at Meats by Linz, and how long have you been with us?

I’ve been a delivery driver for Meats by Linz for over 40 years now.

Think back to your first delivery day, what was that experience like?

My first day happened kind of unexpectedly. It was 1985, and my grandmother asked me to run to the store and get some good beef. She specifically told me not to go to the grocery store, but to go to “the Linz’s.” When I got there, Bob Linz was in a bit of a bind because he was short on help around the butcher shop.

At the time, I had just been laid off at the mill, so I asked what he needed done. He pointed at a Chevy van with a box on the back and a wooden floor and said, “Can you drive that?” I told him yes, and he handed me the keys and said, “Be back here tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.” And here we are 40 years later.

What makes delivering for Meats by Linz different from other driving jobs?

The customers really make the difference. We have great customers, and I get to interact with them every day. With other companies, you usually see a new driver every time, but here, I’ve built real connections. I enjoy that consistency and those relationships.

Drivers often work independently, but what’s the role of teamwork in making everything run smoothly?

It all starts with receiving our routes. Nico sends me my next route no later than 6:00 p.m., so I know exactly where I’m going the next day. If there are any problems, like missing or misplaced boxes, I immediately contact the office. They use our new tracking equipment to locate packages and make sure they get to the right place. This really makes our job easier and less stressful.

There are a lot of moving parts, but thanks to our team, apps and systems, everything stays organized. Teamwork between drivers, the office, and support staff is what keeps it all running smoothly.

Walk us through what a “typical” day on the road looks like for you.

First, I check my truck to make sure everything’s ready to go. I always fill it with fuel at the end of the day, so it’s set for the morning. Then I log into my DOT app, check my Roadnet app to see my stops, and fire up CoPilot for navigation. After that, I hit the road and start my deliveries.

Finish the sentence: “People think being a delivery driver is tedious, but really, it’s rewarding.”

If your truck had a personality, how would you describe it — and how does it match yours?

My very first truck, the old Chevy van, had kind of a sad personality, no air conditioning, no radio, a wooden floor,  but it was strong. It was the little truck that could. Over the years, I’ve driven everything from medium-sized box trucks with hundreds of thousands of miles to the Toyota I drive now, which I’d say has a much happier personality. These trucks may change, but they always get the job done — just like me.

What would you say to someone considering a driving role here — what makes Meats by Linz more than just another delivery job?

I’d encourage them to stick it out. Don’t just try it for a week and quit, give it time. It’s a very rewarding job because of the work environment, the smart leadership, and, most importantly, the customers. Our customers truly set this job apart. They’re glad to see me, and I’m glad to see them — those relationships make all the difference.