Q&A: Estes Express Lines recognized among RTD Top Workplaces 2026

Estes Express Lines is a winner in the Richmond Times-Dispatch annual Top Workplaces. Estes began as a one-person trucking operation 95 years ago and has grown into the largest privately held freight carrier in the nation. With more than 24,000 employees, a fleet of 10,600 tractors and 42,000 trailers, and a network of 300-plus service centers, the company has won multiple awards and No. 1 rankings for safety, reliability and exceptional customer service throughout its history."

Below is a Q&A with Sara Graf, Vice President of Sustainability, Culture, and Communications, from Estes Express Lines.

What makes your business special?  

At Estes, it’s our employees who drive the company. We take pride in a family-inspired culture where people are respected, supported and encouraged to grow — and where taking care of each other and our customers comes first.  

How has being named a Top Workplace for 2026 impacted your business internally? 

In addition to reinforcing Estes’ progress toward being an employer of choice, this recognition underscores the importance of listening to our people and acting on their feedback. It also strengthens employee pride across the company while helping create a productive environment where employees feel valued and supported — as well as providing confidence in the company’s direction and their role in its success.

How do you think the designation has helped you recruit and retain new talent? 

This recognition has become a strong indicator to both current and prospective employees that Estes is a place for building long-term, rewarding careers. And because employee feedback drives the Top Workplaces award, it carries credibility for those candidates who are seeking stability and leadership with a people-focused culture. It also strengthens retention by reminding employees that their voices both matter and shape our workplace.  

What qualities do you believe make your business a Top Workplace?

Estes’ culture is rooted in shared values, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to listening and responding to employee feedback. We emphasize teamwork and resiliency while investing in work-life balance, career development opportunities and open communication. Our teams’ ongoing focus on serving customers and each other reflects these qualities.  

What are some things you have done internally to communicate about Top Workplaces to encourage participation across the organization?

We focus on transparent, consistent communication that explains the purpose of the survey and the importance of their honest feedback. Leaders across Estes also help reinforce the message that their participation is both anonymous and meaningful. 

From a workplace culture standpoint, what is something you are most proud of that you have implemented or something unique about your organization that others outside of your organization may not know that you would like them to know?

At Estes, we actively solicit employee feedback — and then act on it to make the company an even better place to work. From investing in resources and benefits to strengthening communication and leadership development, we use employee insight to move our workplace forward. That focus, combined with our long-standing family-inspired culture, inspires pride in our people and the role they play in driving Estes forward as an industry leader and innovator.     

For more information, please visit estes-express.com. 

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