America’s Road Team Finalists Named
Thirty-four drivers from 22 states, representing a combined 90 million safe-driving miles and 946 years of experience, have been named finalists for the 2019-20 term of America’s Road Team to serve as ambassadors to the industry.
The finalists represent a cross-section of the industry with experience ranging from 6 to 55 years as professional truck drivers with anywhere from 600,000 to Indiana driver Ron Baird's 6.9 million safe driving miles.
“ATA believes the men and women who work safely day after day to deliver our goods – truck drivers – are the best representatives of the trucking industry and we are inspired by the finalists for the upcoming class of America’s Road Team,” American Trucking Associations president and CEO Chris Spear said in a press release announcing the finalists. “Throughout the evaluation process, we read and heard stories from truck drivers about pride, courage, and selflessness – the kinds of stories we are excited to share with the public, media and elected officials.”
The 34 finalists advance to the final round of the selection process Jan. 27-30 in Arlington, Va., where a panel of evaluators will judge the contenders on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages and overall safe driving record.
The newly chosen 2019-2020 America’s Road Team will be announced on January 30 following a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington.
“The trucking industry has millions of truck drivers who work tirelessly to safely deliver goods to our communities, so it is a major responsibility to represent that workforce as an America’s Road Team Captain,” ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna said. “These finalists, and all the nominees, are valuable representatives for our industry.”
Here are the finalists:
Ronald Baird, Hoffman Transportation/G&D Trucking; Thorntown, Ind.
William C. Bennett III, UPS Freight; Maytown, Pa.
Dale Brenaman, UPS Freight; Stamping Ground, Ky.
Sammy Brewster, ABF Freight; Powder Springs, Ga.
Jorge Chavez, Jetco Delivery; Houston, Texas
Timothy Chelette, Big G Express; Murfreesboro, Tenn.
James Clark, Penske Logistics; Otter Lake, Mich.
April Coolidge, USA Truck; Mint Hill, N.C.
Scott Davis, ABF Freight; Kearney, Mo.
Jesse Wayne Dennis, Prime Inc.; Springfield, Mo.
Ken Duncan, Walmart Transportation; Gorham, Me.
Douglas Frombaugh, FedEx Freight; Carlisle, Pa.
William Goins, Old Dominion Freight Line; Cloverdale, Ind.
Billy Hambrick, Werner Enterprises; Yoder, Wyo.
Russell James, YRC Freight; Bonner, Mont.
Ronnie Luckadoo, UPS Freight; Forest City, N.C.
Gary Martin, FedEx Ground; Galt, Cal.
William McNamee, Carbon Express; Christopher, Ill.
Dave Peterson, FedEx Ground; Blaine, Minn.
Tine Peterson, FedEx Ground; Blaine, Minn.
Brian Petrovcic, ABF Freight; McAlisterville, Pa.
Robert Preston, Werner Enterprises; Winder, Ga.
Roger Price, TCW Inc.; Olive Branch, Miss.
Jeff Rose, YRC Freight; Creston, Ohio
Rodney Rutledge, FedEx Freight; La Union, N.M.
Richard Slack Jr., TCW Inc.; Savannah, Ga.
Theldorine Sova, Prime Inc.; Sacramento, Cal.
James Starr, Groendyke Transportation; Wichita, Kan.
Clarence Taylor, Walmart Transportation; North Chesterfield, Va.
Paul Wahlster, Holland; Rolling Prairie, Ind.
Nicolette Weaver, FedEx Freight; New Bloomfield, Pa.
Todd Wilemon, ABF Freight; Fulton, Miss.
James Gragg Wilson, FedEx Freight; Reno, Nev.
Ronald Vandermark, UPS Freight; Delran, N.J.