America's Road Team Finalists Announced by ATA

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations named 33 professional truck drivers as finalists in the selection process to become Captains on the 2017-2018 America's Road Team.

"These professional drivers were chosen as finalists for America's Road Team because they are proven industry ambassadors with long safety records and professionalism that projects a positive image of our industry's 3.5 million truck drivers," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "America's Road Team will continue to serve as a voice for the trucking industry and build on its 30-year legacy of educating the public on highway safety and the trucking industry's important role in our economy. We are honored to have these finalists participate in this prestigious selection process and I look forward to meeting them in January."

America's Road Team, a group of professional truck drivers with superior safety records, was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks.

"America's Road Team's grassroots efforts are closely aligned with our mission at Volvo Trucks," said Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America. "From conversations with a Captain, a member of the media or public official can walk away with an entirely different perspective of our industry. Those types of impressions are invaluable and help change the national conversation about trucking." 

The 33 professional truck drivers now move on to the final round of the selection process, being held January 8-12 in Arlington, Va. A panel of industry officials and trucking news media will judge the contestants on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry's messages and overall safe driving record. The finalists, with a combined total of 77.6 million safe-driving miles and 893 years as professional truck drivers, are highway safety experts eager to share their message with the motoring public.

The newly chosen 2017-2018 America's Road Team will be announced on January 12.  New Captains, after receiving their signature navy blue America's Road Team blazer, will begin working to share the industry's message of safety, essentiality and sustainability with the motoring public, media, business groups, public officials and their fellow truck drivers around the country.

"Being named a finalist for America's Road Team is a major achievement for professional truck drivers and ATA congratulates each of them for this accomplishment," said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. "On this list you'll find drivers with millions of safe-driving miles, state truck driving championship winners, community leaders and role models in their companies."

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.

The finalists include:
Steve Brand, FedEx Freight, Union, Ohio
Jon Brockway, Walmart Transportation, Westbrook, Maine
Brad Coffey, TCW, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Bobby Covert, UPS Freight, Lexington, Kentucky
Scott Davis, ABF Freight, Kearney, Missouri
Duane Donner, Walmart Transportation, Litchfield Park, Arizona
Donald Forrest, FedEx Freight, Winter Haven, Florida
John Gaddy, Carbon Express, Asbury, New Jersey
W. Scott Harrison, K-Limited Carriers, Cincinnati, Ohio
Rhonda Hartman, Old Dominion Freight Line, Des Moines, Iowa
Gary Helms, Covenant Transport, Cleveland, Tennessee
Duane "Rusty" Holmes, UPS Freight, Odenville, Alabama
Bill Krouse, YRC Freight, Shakopee, Minnesota
David Livingston, TCW, Springfield, Georgia
Charles Lobsiger, Walmart Transportation, Alachua, Florida
Ronnie Luckadoo, UPS Freight, Forest City, North Carolina
Thomas McIntosh, YRC Freight, Aurora, Colorado
Tim Melody, ABF Freight, Payette, Idaho
James Moore, Saia LTL Freight, Magnolia, Texas
Chris Outen, FedEx Freight, Vancouver, Washington
Charlton Paul Jr., UPS Freight, Chester, New York
Jeff Payne, Reddaway, Cedar City, Utah
James Quarles, Walmart Transportation, Laurens, South Carolina
Larry Rhein, FedEx Freight, Harrison, Arkansas
Stephen Richardson, Big G Express, Decatur, Alabama
Michael Sheeds, Werner Enterprises, Bandera, Texas
Steven Smalley, ABF Freight, Mesa, Arizona
Gary Smith, Garner Trucking, Gomer, Ohio
James Starr, Groendyke Transport, Wichita, Kansas
Chris Sutton, UPS Freight, Erie, Pennsylvania
Barney "Earl" Taylor, Penske Logistics, Orlando, Florida
Tim Taylor, FedEx Freight, Valdosta, Georgia
Jimmie Wisley, YRC Freight, Wichita, Kansas

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. Follow America's Road Team on Facebook or Twitter.

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 on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward 

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SOURCE American Trucking Associations

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