Tennessee Representative and Chair of the House Transportation Committee Jimmy Matlock recently sponsored a resolution to recognize and honor Danny Smith of Big G Express, who was named Truckload Carriers Association 2015 Company Driver of the Year. The award is presented by “Truckers News”, and sponsored by Love’s Travel Stops and Cummins.
From left to right (front row) Representative Jimmy Matlock, Tim Tipps (VP of Maintenance), Kristi Seibers (VP of Safety), Greg Thompson (VP of Operations), House Speaker Beth Harwell, Representative Pat Marsh (Big G Express Chairman of the Board), Danny Smith, Senator Jim Tracy, Carol Smith (Danny’s wife) and Jack Marsh (CEO of Big G Express) (back row) Dave Huneryager (CEO and President of Tennessee Trucking Association)Representative Pat Marsh, co-founder of Big G Express, introduced Smith and discussed the importance of the award and the impact the trucking industry has on the Tennessee economy.
“There are over 180,000 drivers in Tennessee alone,” said March. “We have over 10,500 trucking companies in Tennessee and one of every 13 employees in the state works in the trucking industry. This award is national and Canadian award.”
Smith won $25,000 as part of the award, which was presented at the TCA convention in Las Vegas last month.
See the video of Smith’s appearance in Nashville.
The following resolution was presented to Smith in ceremonies in the state capitol in Nashville:
“WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly are honored to recognize those exceptional Tennesseans who have performed in their respective careers with the highest levels of ability and acumen; and
“WHEREAS, Danny Smith of Shelbyville is one such individual, who has recently been selected as the Truckload Carriers Association 2015 Company Driver of the Year in the U.S. and Canada; and
“WHEREAS, Mr. Smith, a driver for Big G Express for twenty-one years, has distinguished himself as a driver of the highest caliber; and
“WHEREAS, a professional truck driver with Big G Express since its founding in 1995, Danny Smith was the first driver hired by the company and has steadily, and safely, driven our highways, completing more than three million accident-free miles; and
“WHEREAS, Danny Smith was previously recognized as Tennessee Trucking Association’s Driver of the Year in 2013, and he was a top three finalist in the Truckload Carriers Association’s National Driver of the Year awards program in 2012 and 2014; and
“WHEREAS, in 2013, he was a captain in Tennessee’s Road Team, a statewide highway safety education program sponsored by the Tennessee Trucking Foundation and Bridgestone; in 2015-2016, he was one of nineteen chosen nationally to serve as a captain in the American Trucking Association’s America’s Road Team, a national public outreach program led by professional truck drivers to inform the public about highway safety; and
“WHEREAS, his professional accomplishments aside, he is perhaps most appreciative of the love and support he shares with his wife, Carol and two daughters, Rachel and Anna Marie; and
“WHEREAS, Danny Smith is professional of singular abilities and talents, and it is fitting that he be recognized by this General Assembly; now, therefore,
“BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we recognize and honor Danny Smith for his selection as the Truckload Carriers Association 2015 Driver of the Year in the U.S. and Canada and extend to him our best wishes for his continued success in the future.
