Newsroom

Top Drivers Account for Almost 100 Million Accident Free Miles

Alexandria, Virginia:

The Truckload Carriers Association, along with contest co-sponsors, Truckers News and Overdrive Magazine, is pleased to announce the top finalists for the Independent Contractor of the Year and Company Equipment Driver of the Year contests. The competition for these contests becomes more intense each year as we try to honor the best of the best throughout the United States and Canada.

The thirty-two finalists were chosen on the basis of miles driven without accidents as well as a review of their driving records, moving, and hours of service violations. The contest is open to all members of the trucking industry and mileage and driving records are verified to ensure only the best of the best are selected. As a whole, this exceptional group has logged a total of over 98.5 million safe miles and 982 accident-free years on the road.

The outstanding drivers listed below will now complete the second part of the application (due December 17, 2004) and official judges will choose the top five winners in each contest. The top three prizewinners for both contests will be announced at the TCA 2005 Annual Convention at the Bellagio Resort and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 6-9, 2005.

Congratulations and best wishes to all the finalists and their companies:

Independent Contractor of the Year Contest Finalists

• Daniel Beber, Warren Transport, Inc. (Robert Molinaro, CEO)
• Albert Beck, Dart Transit Company (Donald Oren, CEO)
• Constance and Lanny Beyer, Midwest Coast Transport (Matt Staniszweski, CEO)
• Donal Choulward, Pottle’s Transportation, Inc. (Barry Pottle, CEO)
• Earl Faro, Sammons Trucking (James Basolo, President)
• Jerry Johnson, O & S Trucking, Inc. (Jim O’Neal, CEO)
• Debra and Robert Jurashen, Lanstar Ranger (Patrick O’Malley, VP)
• Robert McCray, Warren Transport, Inc. (Robert Molinaro, CEO)
• Roy McKenzie, Epes Transport (Alvin Bodford, CEO)
• Jimmy McSwain, Sunco Carriers, Inc. (Joe Whitfield, President)
• Steven Recker, Warren Transport, Inc. (Robert Molinaro, CEO)
• Larry Severson, Dart Transit Company (Don Oren, CEO)
• Dennis Siler, Dart Transit Company (Donald Oren, CEO)
• James Thompson, Swift Transportation (Dave Berry, VP)
• Charles Valentine, Epes Transport (Alvin Bodford, CEO)
• Ronald Warner, Davis Transport (Jim KcKinny, President)
• Michael Wiest, FedEx Ground (Daniel Sullivan, CEO)

Company Equipment Driver of the Year Contest Finalists

• Douglas Berg, Sammons Trucking (James Basolo, President)
• James Daniel, Pottle’s Transportation, Inc. (Barry Pottle, CEO)
• Richard Downin, D.M. Bowman, Inc. (Don Bowman, CEO)
• Rocky Elslwick, Swift Transportation (Dave Berry, VP)
• Albert Golden, Pottle’s Transportation, Inc. (Barry Pottle, CEO)
• Robert Hagen, Challenger Motor Freight, Inc. (Dan Einwechter, President)
• Darrell Hand, O&S Trucking, Inc. (Jim O’Neal, President)
• Alex Kibodeaux, Epes Transport (Alvin Bodford, CEO)
• Brian O’Leary, Western Distributing Trans. Corp, (Dino Guadagini, VP)
• Ruppert Stevens, Epes Transport (Alvin Bodford, CEO)
• Jerry Waddoups, Central Refrigeration - Dick Simon Trucking (Jon Isaacson, CEO)
• Robert White, Hogan Transports, Inc. (David Hogan, CEO)
• Loyd Widener, Celadon Group, Inc. (Paul Will, CFO)
• John “Mike” Wissinger, Coastal Transport (James Conway, CEO)
• Cornell Sowell, Arnold Transportation Services (Michael Gregerson, VP)

TCA’s Driver of the Year Contests are made possible by generous industry sponsors. Once again this year the grand prize winner of the Independent Contractor of the Year Contest will receive a brand new fully-loaded International tractor. The top five winners in both contests will receive numerous prizes including cash, savings bonds, trucking supplies and gift cards donated by supplier companies.

TCA is the only national trade association whose collective sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and intermodal container carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Representing operators of over 200,000 trucks, which collectively produce an annual revenue of over $20 billion, TCA is an organization tailored to specific truckload carrier needs.