Three ABF Drivers Selected as America's Road Team Captains

FORT SMITH, Ark., Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Trucking Associations named three ABF® drivers Captains of the 2013-2014 America's Road Team. The drivers and service centers where they are based are: Don Biggerstaff, Charlotte, N.C.; and Loren Hatfield and Otto Schmeckenbecher, Little Rock, Ark. They join a group of 19 Captains selected from a group of 32 finalists. The competition included a review of trucking industry expertise and a demonstration of their communication skills, combined with their community service and lifetime safety records.

"ABF is a strong supporter of ATA's America's Road Team program, and we are particularly proud that the Team has consistently included ABF drivers among its ranks," said ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Roy Slagle. "Don, Loren and Otto all possess superb driving skills, have outstanding safety records and share a commitment to upholding the greatest standards of excellence. It is due to the diligence of employees like these that the ABF team has earned the reputation of being the safest, most conscientious and highly innovative in our industry."

While maintaining their jobs as full-time professional drivers, the new America's Road Team Captains will travel the country speaking on behalf of the trucking industry to the community, news media and public officials. The Captains will address transportation and safety issues, speaking at community events and anywhere they can reach the motoring public to share safe driving tips and offer advice on how to safely share the road with tractor-trailers. The Road Team Captains also advocate safety to those within the industry at terminals and truck stops. They speak with fellow drivers, driver training students and corporate safety officers. They also have the opportunity to present trucking and safety issues before our public officials, at the national, state and local levels.

"America's Road Team represents the best our industry has to offer: pride, professionalism and dedication to making our highways safer for all who travel them," said Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO. "Today as we honor our newest Captains, I want to congratulate not just these fine individuals, but all those hardworking drivers who strive every day to deliver America's most essential goods safely and efficiently."

As the principal subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS), ABF operates as a global provider of customizable supply chain solutions. ABF enhances supply chain efficiencies and achieves optimum performance by focusing on specific logistics needs and customizing innovative solutions. The company's resource-rich infrastructure includes an innovative Dual-System® Network for regional and national transportation. Its portfolio of logistics services extends from the manufacturer's floor to time-definite and/or white-glove final delivery. In between, customers benefit from a single point of contact and total end-to-end supply chain visibility.

Contact: Russ Aikman, director of marketing & public relations

SOURCE ABF Freight System, Inc.