Month: September 2024

Key Points

Ricky Choate, a transport driver for Marathon Petroleum, was named a 2024 National Driver All-Star by the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) for demonstrating high performance standards.Choate has been with Marathon Petroleum for 14 years and is recognized as a million-mile driver with no preventable accidents.Choate credits his success to following the Smith® System and Marathon Petroleum’s safety training and policies.

Marathon Petroleum Transport Driver Ricky Choate was honored when he found out he was named a 2024 National Driver All-Star by the National Private Truck Council (NPTC). The national trade association presents its Driver All-Star award to private fleet truck drivers who have demonstrated high performance standards in categories like safety, regulatory compliance and adherence to company standards.

Choate represented Marathon Petroleum and the Champaign, Illinois, fleet at this year’s award ceremony.

“Ricky prides himself on following company procedures and keeping a positive attitude while at work,” said Rob Leipheimer, Transport Operations Senior Manager for Marathon Petroleum. “Ricky also feels it’s important to always be polite and courteous.”

Choate whole-heartedly lives by the Smith® System driving method, a defensive driving method that improves reaction time and visibility on the road.

“My safety training helps get me home to my family every day and has carried over into my personal life.”

“If you follow the Smith® System and the Marathon policies, you’ll be set up for success and stay safe on the road,” said Choate. “I come to work each day and give it everything I have. There is no such thing as relaxed driving. My safety training helps get me home to my family every day and has carried over into my personal life.”

Choate has been with Marathon Petroleum for 14 years. It’s the only driving job he’s ever had, and he’s happy with his career path.

“It’s a great career to have,” said Choate. “You are going to work hard, but in the end it will all pay off. We are paid well, and it’s a good work environment.”

Choate and his fiancée have three children. He appreciates the work-life balance that his job provides. He is home every night to spend time with his family, who are very proud of his accomplishments as a driver.

Choate is also an active million-mile driver, a recognition by Marathon Petroleum of drivers who have driven one million miles or more without a preventable accident.

Marathon Petroleum has had a driver on the NPTC National Driver All-Star list for the past 15 years.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Bath & Body Works is spotlighting perfumer Adriana Medina and Bath & Body Works designer Carolina Martinez Rodulfo and offering an exclusive candle collection they created together.

Inspired by her homeland, Medina channeled Colombia’s essence into fragrances that capture the country’s vibrant culture and bring to life some of her fondest memories.

Medina’s inspiration had similar aesthetics to Martinez Rodulfo’s Mexican culture, focusing on bright colors and handmade artisan textiles from their countries.The final candle design was inspired by colorful hand-woven wicker baskets, juxtaposing natural wicker material with bold, vivid colors.

Their special candle collection features four unique new fragrances and is available at US Bath & Body Works stores and online. The collection includes:

Brown Sugar Coconut: Inspired by a sweet scent memory of yummy cocada treats from childhood which bring instant happiness.Rainforest Jungle: Inspired by the rich scents of a South African rainforest, with its towering eucalyptus trees and damp, lush earth.Mango Passionfruit: An ode to the rich abundance of vibrantly juicy, sensationally sweet and tangy tropical fruits grown under the golden sun.Festival De Las Flores: The flower Festival in Madelin is an incredible Colombian tradition, during which the ‘city of eternal spring,’ as it is known, is filled with flowers, art dancing and celebration.

“These fragrances were carefully crafted to take you to a special place or give you the olfactive experience of enjoying something tasty,” says perfumer Adrianna Medina.

“Every time I go to Mexico, I always come back creatively inspired,” says Bath & Body Works designer, Carolina Martinez Rodulfo. “I’m so proud of our beautiful culture and I hope that other Hispanics feel pride and joy when their see our collection.”

Bath & Body Works believes that it’s important to spotlight underrepresented professionals in fragrance to raise awareness for their contributions and stories while signaling what’s possible for the next generation.

“For me, these fragrances are a way for me to share more about who I am and where I come from,” says Medina. “I hope to inspire many Hispanics in my field to follow in my footsteps and have an amazing career in the fragrance industry.”

In support of that effort, the Bath & Body Works Foundation donated $200,000 to support the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program and the ACS Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Respect’s mission. Their three-year partnership began in 2023 to help open doors for the next generation of leaders in chemistry-related fields, like perfumers and more.

For more information on Bath & Body Works’ commitment to community and culture, visit bbwinc.com.