09/16/2026
🚚 Van Operator Appreciation Week Spotlight: Matt Piechalski
This week, we’re celebrating the incredible van operators who keep Chipman rolling. Today’s spotlight shines on Matt Piechalski, who has been delivering top-notch service and safety for half a century!
📍 Home Base: Rio Linda, CA
🚛 Years with Chipman: 4 years
🏆 Recognitions: Multiple Driver of the Month awards, Chipman Driver of the Year award in 2023, multiple safety awards.
💬 What do you love most about being a Professional Van Operator:
I love working for myself, making my own decisions, and the customer interactions—I enjoy people and have met a lot over the years. I love the feeling I get when I have a satisfied customer.
💭 Most memorable move:
My most memorable move was moving Ed McMahon, who was Johnny Carson's sidekick. After 50 years in the moving business, I've had plenty of memorable moves, and it's hard to pick just one.
🛣️ What keeps you motivated on the road:
It used to be the money; now, I most enjoy running the road with my son Matthew. He, his family, and mine are what keep me motivated on the road these days.
💡 Advice for new drivers:
You better pay your taxes! Take care of everyone's stuff as if it were your own. Find out what items are most important to your customer and be extra attentive to those pieces you are moving. Ultimately, you should treat their entire home as if everything in it is special to them.
📣 What he wishes people understood:
I wish they understood that driving the truck is only part of the job; there is much more to it than just sitting behind the wheel. Family means the most to me. I have been running with my son Matthew since 2013. Rather than go off to school, he and I decided he was going to jump in the truck with me. He has been my loader all these years, and I couldn't be happier with the relationship we have built together and the experiences he has had with me. It means a lot to have my son with me, and he keeps things flowing smoothly. I attribute my great scores and customer experience to the fact that he and I are a great team. I couldn't do this without him.
👏 Thank you, Matt, for 4 years of professionalism, passion, and dedication on the road!