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Raymond Geary Miller has held a variety of jobs in his 38 years in the vending industry, and he wants to be where he feels he makes the most difference: on the route. His love of serving the customers has earned him recognition as a quarterly winner in the Automatic Merchandiser 6th Annual Route Driver of the Year Awards, sponsored by Kraft Vending & OCS.

Miller was nominated by Dan Hart, owner of the company based in Tucker, Ga. Miller was chosen from a field of route drivers nominated by their supervisors for the chance to compete in the national contest. He was selected based on a numerical score that consists of the following areas: number of years as a driver, number of machines serviced, number of miles traveled, accidents and citations, number of days missed, speed, thoroughness, likability, compliments, appearance, truck condition, empty spirals and sales.

“You either love it or you hate it,” Miller said of being a route driver. “I’m a people person. I love it.”

Miller became a driver for Servomation in 1971 following military service and technical training. He worked as a supervisor and an assistant warehouse manager over the years and has supervised as many as 23 employees. He found he always preferred being on the route.

Miller will receive $250 for winning the quarterly contest. Quarterly winners compete for the national award, which includes an all-expense paid trip for two to the National Automatic Merchandising Association National Expo in Chicago, a $1,500 flat screen TV, a story in the magazine and a plaque.