Booth Movers driver Thomas Eyler was recently named Driver of the Year by the New Jersey Warehousemen and Mover’s Association. The entire team at Booth Movers could not be happier to have Tom’s achievements recognized with this statewide award. To learn more about the NJWMA, please visit www.njwma.org. Below is Tom’s story as told at the Driver of the Year award ceremony.
Thomas Eyler is a true success store in the moving industry. Born with a birth defect that left him with one leg shorter than the other, it’s hard to believe that Tom is a successful moving professional. Born to a mother who divorced early in her marriage, Tom was forced to leave high school in the 10th grade to help contribute to the finances of a family in turmoil.
“My father was never there and my mother later became sick with cancer and died when I was in my early twenties; I was left parentless with no financial help from family. I had only myself as the sole provided for my family,” said Tom when asked about his childhood.
Despite this all, Tom went on to get his GED and start a family in his mid-twenties. His daughter Ashley became his focus, the purpose and his motivation for pushing on. Ashley is a teenage now and Tom can be seen hustling out of work, after a 10 hour day on the trucks, to help coach Ashley’s basketball team. “I really enjoy coaching the girls and always wanted to be part of my daughter’s life. Several years ago I decided to get involved with her by helping out. For the last few years I’ve been the head coach of her basketball team and last year elected to assist with her softball team. It’s a lot of work but the rewards are priceless.”
Tom Eyler grew up in Cliffside Park, New Jersey in the 70’s and has a great name around town. When speaking to everyone including local police officers and DPW workers, they all say he was a great guy, hard worker and never had problems with drugs or alcohol.
Thomas Eyler has been driving trucks and working in the moving industry for well over 25 years. As a teenager he started out as a helper for East Bergen Moving in Cliffside Park, then went to Voyager International as a packer for overseas shipping. Later he became a delivery driver for Diaco Foods in Paterson. His big break came in November of 1996 with Cardinal Moving in Westwood where he became a head crew leader and driver directing his own crews. At Cardinal Tom’s driving was termed “impeccable” by the owner, Jack. In 2004, Tom left Cardinal and came to Booth Movers and has been working there as their lead driver and crew leader for the last 7 years. During that period, Tom has grown from the “New Guy” to become Booth Movers “Go to Guy.” It’s known throughout the organization that when you have a job that needs special care and service, Tom is the crew leader that must be assigned. He has supervised and lead both large residential and commercial jobs including moving and supervising the President of Stevens Institute of Technology and Maxell Communications. He knows all aspects of moving and is extremely competent and diligent in his day to day work ethics.
“As a driver there’s not too much to say about Tom’s driving ability, which to a moving/trucking company is a great thing since a clean record is what we strive for!” says Director of Operations, Fred Klag. Tom has been behind the wheel of a 26’ Kenworth for 7 years with no chargeable incidents. Booth Movers also conducts safety seminars and Tom has received many Safety Award Certifications for his participation.