A longtime UPS driver from Texas won the grand prize winner in Pilot Flying J‘s fifth annual Road Warrior contest.
Victoria Andrade is this year’s grand prize winner in Pilot Flying J’s Road Warrior contest (PFJ photo)To honor Victoria Andrade, Pilot Flying J Monday surprised her with a celebration at the Pilot Travel Center near her hometown and presented her with the $10,000 top prize check. She was nominated by her family.
Bob Loyd of Ottawa Lake, Michigan, placed second in the contest winning $5,000 and James Monclair of Marrero, Louisiana, finished third and received a check or $2,500. The remaining nine finalists each receive $1,000, and the nominators of the grand, second and third place winners receive $500.
“We are excited to congratulate this year’s Road Warrior winners, recognizing them as inspiring and exceptional representations of the professional driver community,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “These dedicated and hardworking individuals are on the road day in and day out to safely deliver the goods that keep our country moving. At a time when the industry is facing an immense driver shortage, we want to celebrate and bring attention to the significant contributions of professional drivers through the Road Warrior program.”
The announcement was part of Pilot Flying J’s celebration of National Truck Driver Appreciation week. The contest recognizes professional drivers for their hard work, perseverance, and passion for driving.
Road Warriors are nominated by family members, friends and coworkers across the U.S. This year, Pilot Flying J’s social media community voted for the top three winners from 12 selected finalists. Each of this year’s Road Warrior winners is an accomplished professional driver with a passion for their job and for making a difference in their communities:
- Andrade: When her parents passed away more than 30 years ago, Victoria made it her mission to turn her job at UPS into a career so that she could provide for her eight siblings. She began working at UPS as a part-time car washer to help support her family and pay for her college education. She graduated with her degree and remained with UPS, working her way up to be the first female in South Texas to become a feeder driver for UPS. Nominated by her family, Victoria is a true Road Warrior both on the road and at home. Her family is proud of her for being “a fierce woman and an outstanding employee for UPS,” and recognizes Victoria as a hardworking, caring, giving, loyal and strong individual. “With her heart of gold, there are no limits with what she is capable of doing to bring joy, a piece of mind and love to anyone who crosses her path.”
- Loyd: Loyd has been a professional driver for more than 47 years. He is involved in numerous trucking charities and helped found Truckers United for Charities. He also volunteers his time serving on mission trips.
- Monclair: After achieving over 1 million miles with Melton Truck Lines, Monclair became an Ambassador of the Road for Melton and serves as a mentor to other drivers. James is a veteran and volunteers to drive his wrapped veteran truck in the Tulsa Veterans Day Parade each year. He also makes an annual trip to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to volunteer and spend Survivors Day with his daughter.
