Arlington, Va. - Today, American Trucking Associations is kicking off the final round of the America's Road Team selection process.
"Over the coming days, finalists for the next class of America's Road Team will be assessed on their abilities to share personal trucking stories and display professional qualities,� said veteran America's Road Team Captain Dion Saiz, professional truck driver for FedEx Freight. "My role as mentor is to provide feedback for my small group of finalists and encourage them to enjoy the process, build relationships with other drivers and put their best foot forward."
A panel of judges, including trucking executives and trade press, will evaluate the finalists on their knowledge of the industry, ability to effectively express their thoughts on transportation issues and their overall safe-driving records. In October, the field of America's Road Team nominations was narrowed down to 33 finalists. With professional truck drivers hailing from coast to coast and from large and small carriers, the group of finalists represents the entire trucking industry and provides a full cross-section of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers operating in the United States.
The finalists, with a combined total of 77.6 million safe-driving miles and 893 years as professional truck drivers, are industry veterans, many of whom are state-level road team captains, national truck driving championship winners and role models at their companies and in their communities.
"The 33 drivers who were selected as finalists are all expected to be strong contenders for the next America's Road Team," said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. "Each of the finalists is a great ambassador for our industry and, whether selected to the team or not, will continue to represent trucking and build on their impressive safety records."
The final round of judging for America's Road Team is scheduled for January 8-10. The 2017-2018 America's Road Team will be announced January 10.
To be nominated to serve as an America's Road Team Captain, professional truck drivers must be employed or leased to an ATA member company. Each nominee should have an excellent safety record, and should demonstrate an ability to communicate his or her commitment to safety and passion for the industry. Nominees should also portray a positive image of the professional truck driver in all that they do."
Finalists for the 2017-2018 America's Road Team are:
Steve Brand, FedEx Freight, Union, Ohio
Jon Brockway, Walmart Transportation, Westbrook, Maine
Brad Coffey, TCW, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Bobby Covert, UPS Freight, Lexington, Ky.
Scott Davis, ABF Freight, Kearney, Mo.
Duane Donner, Walmart Transportation, Litchfield Park, Ariz.
Tommy Forrest, FedEx Freight, Winter Haven, Fla.
John Gaddy, Carbon Express, Asbury, N.J.
W. Scott Harrison, K-Limited Carriers, Cincinnati, Ohio
Rhonda Hartman, Old Dominion Freight Line, Des Moines, Iowa
Gary Helms, Covenant Transport, Cleveland, Tenn.
Duane �Rusty� Holmes, UPS Freight, Odenville, Ala.
Bill Krouse, YRC Freight, Shakopee, Minn.
David Livingston, TCW, Springfield, Ga.
Charles Lobsiger, Walmart Transportation, Alachua, Fla.
Ronnie Luckadoo, UPS Freight, Forest City, N.C.
Thomas McIntosh, YRC Freight, Aurora, Colo.
Tim Melody, ABF Freight, Payette, Idaho
James Moore, Saia LTL Freight, Magnolia, Texas
Chris Outen, FedEx Freight, Vancouver, Wash.
Charlton Paul Jr., UPS Freight, Chester, N.Y.
Jeff Payne, Reddaway, Cedar City, Utah
James Quarles, Walmart Transportation, Laurens, S.C.
Larry Rhein, FedEx Freight, Harrison, Ark.
Stephen Richardson, Big G Express, Decatur, Ala.
Steven Smalley, ABF Freight, Mesa, Ariz.
Gary Smith, Garner Trucking, Gomer, Ohio
James Starr, Groendyke Transport, Wichita, Kan.
Chris Sutton, UPS Freight, Erie, Pa.
Barney "Earl" Taylor, Penske Logistics, Orlando, Fla.
Tim Taylor, FedEx Freight, Valdosta, Ga.
Jimmie Wisley, YRC Freight, Wichita, Kan.
The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.www.americasroadteam.com.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward