December Contractor of the Month

Chris Burgess (pictured on right) visited his daughter's Kindergarten class, "The Bouncing Bunnies", at the 1st United Methodist Church of Riverside, CA.

Mercer owner operator Chris Burgess is December's Contractor of the Month. Chris' enthusiasm for Mercer and the trucking industry is contageous, and he's even gone as far as sharing his love of trucking with a younger demographic - approximately 45 kindergarteners.

Burgess, father of Andria (age 4), was recently given the opportunity to visit his daughter's class at the 1st United Methodist Church of Riverside, CA. Burgess was invited to talk about truck driving and show the children his Peterbilt 379. He says, "I grew up in a foster home and I wish there was someone to mentor me when I was growing up. Now that I'm a father, I try to be that person for my daughter." Burgess definitely puts little Andris as the top priority in his life - The word's "Andria's Truck" are emblazoned below the exterior passenger side window. "Andria was so excited the day I visited. She kept telling her teacher, 'That's my Daddy's truck! That's my name on my Daddy's truck."

Burgess recalls that the children seemed a little timid at first. To make them feel more comfortable, Burgess invited one boy to tug on the air horn. "All the kids jumped at the sound," he laughs, "That little boy just lit up and after that, all of the kids wanted to honk the horn."

Although this was only his first year visiting a classroom, Burgess is eager to visit again next year, and perhaps participate in the Trucker Buddies Program. Until then, he'll continue to spend his time with his daughter, playing in the park and watching cartoons.

To see more photos of Chris Burgess' classroom visit, go to the Mercertown.com photo gallery.

Would you like to nominate the next Contractor of the Month? Contact Johanna Inman @ ext. 6381.