Thirty-three company drivers are finalists in the selection process to become captains on the 2017-2018 America’s Road Team. Combined they have compiled 77.6 million safe-driving miles and 893 years as professional truck drivers.
Several of the current Road Team CaptainsThe American Trucking Associations announced the finalists Monday, Oct. 24. The drivers now move on to the final round of the selection process Jan. 8-12 in Arlington, Virginia. ATA says a panel of industry officials and trucking news media will judge the contestants on their knowledge of the industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages and overall safe driving record. New captains will be announced Jan. 12.
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
- 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
America’s Road Team was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks. 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.
“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’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.”
“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.”
