Alvin Smith
Truck Driver
Eatonton Lumber Yard
Congratulations to our STAR Employee of the month, Alvin Smith!
If you’ve ever been greeted with a warm smile and a friendly “good morning” while receiving a Harbin delivery, chances are you’ve met our STAR Employee of the Month, Alvin Smith. Alvin is a truck driver out of our Eatonton location, and his work ethic, kindness, and dedication to others make him the perfect choice for this spotlight.
Alvin’s journey to Harbin is anything but ordinary. He started with us in March 2022, but his driving career goes way back—decades back. In fact, Alvin has practically been behind a wheel his entire life. He drove school buses for Baldwin County Schools for 17 years, worked as a driver for Choo Choo Supply until the store closed in 2010, and spent over 31 years as a security officer at Central State Hospital—working nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., then getting off in the morning to climb right back into a driver’s seat. That’s a level of commitment that makes you want to sit up a little straighter just hearing it.
When asked what inspired his passion for driving, Alvin shared a story that takes us back to his school days. As a young boy, he would sit behind the bus driver, fascinated by the view and determined that one day he’d be the one behind the wheel. That dream came true in 1986, and he hasn’t stopped driving since. For Alvin, being on the road isn’t just a job—it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong goal.
These days at Harbin, Alvin averages 4–6 deliveries a day, and he doesn’t just drop off materials—he delivers positivity, too. He loves meeting new people and building connections with customers along the way. To him, Harbin isn’t just a company, it’s a family: “Everybody gets along good together. There are no strangers here.”
What makes Alvin stand out isn’t just his experience but his perspective. When asked about challenges on the job, Alvin offered wisdom that sums up his approach to both work and life: “A challenge, if you overcome it, you’ve made today.” He believes in staying safe, respecting others, and remembering that even small words can make a big difference. “You don’t ever know when you might be an inspiration to somebody,” he said.
“Alvin is an outstanding employee! He is very dependable in all aspects of his job. Always puts in the extra effort to get the job done. Very safety conscious. Would love to have more Alvin’s!” – Jody Page, General Manager of Eatonton Lumber Yard.
Outside of work, Alvin is a dedicated family man. He has two grown children, five grandchildren (including a set of twins that carry on the family tradition of multiples), and two sisters who just so happen to be twins as well. Weekends are reserved for football, with Alvin proudly cheering on the Falcons—win or lose—and catching as many games as possible from high school to the NFL.
Alvin brings both wisdom and energy to the job. His coworkers know him as reliable, hardworking, and always ready with a smile. His STAR qualities—smiling, being all-in, teachable, and treating others with respect—shine through in everything he does.
Congratulations, Alvin, on being named STAR Employee of the Month! Thank you for inspiring us all to stay positive, be safe, and treat others the way we want to be treated.