For Immediate Release

March 11, 2003

Contact: Aimee Cirucci, Communications Manager
703-838-1950 or acirucci@truckload.org

TCA Honors 2002 Independent Contractors of the Year

Orlando, FL - In the 16th Annual "Independent Contractor of the Year" contest sponsored by the Truckload Carriers Association, International Truck and Engine and Overdrive Magazine, five TCA-member company drivers were honored as the nation's best. The awards, presented March 10 and 11th during TCA's Annual Convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort, were based on the drivers' excellent safety records, unblemished work history, and involvement in the community and industry. The top five winners and their prizes are:

First Place

Carol Ann Schlussler
Dart Transit Company
Eagan, Minnesota

Ms. Schlussler has been contracted to Dart Transit since 1987 and has driven over two million accident free miles. Carol Ann overcame childhood polio, is the mother of seven children, and before becoming a truck driver also ran a hog farm when her husband became disabled at a very young age. She comes from a long line of professional truck driver's, her father was a truck driver, as is her sister and several members of her extended family. Carol Ann works to advance the trucking industry's public image as part of the Trucker Buddy program. She has won all of Dart's major awards and recently appeared in a television commercial for the company. Carol Ann also finds time to manufacturer "Red Dog Metal Polish" and has been a judge at the Pride and Polish Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

Carol Ann is the proud winner of a 2003 International 9000i Series tractor donated by International Truck and Engine Corporation and powered by a Signature 15X 500 HP engine donated by Cummins Engine Company and equipped with the following items:

• An Eaton transmission of Ms. Schlussler's choice donated by Roadranger - Eaton and Dana Corporation
• 10 G300 series radial truck tires donated by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
• A Fontaine No-Slack II 7000 Series Cast Sliding Fifth Wheel donated by Fontaine International
• 4 wheel-end stop boxes with new lined MA 312 shoes and breaks hardware donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
• A pair of National Premium Cloth Seats donated by National Seating Company
• A set of stainless steel heated, motorized, and lighted West Coast mirrors donated by Velvac, Inc.

In addition to the fully loaded tractor, Ms. Schlussler will also receive:

• $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond, personalized jacket and recognition plaque donated by Overdrive Magazine - Randall Trucking Media Group
• $1,500 Rewards Card donated by Love's Travel Stops
• $1,000 cash donated by Mack Trucks
• $1,000 in Frequent Fueler gift certificates donated by Flying J
• $1,000 U. S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
• $1,000 IRA Account EST with Putnam Funds donated by Marsh USA, Inc.
• $1,000 in gift certificates donated by Pilot Corporation
• $500 cash, Route Tools Professional Software, and Deluxe Motor Carriers Road Atlas from Rand-McNally & Co.
• $500 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
• $500 cash donated by TravelCenters of America
• $200 U.S. Savings Bond donated by the St. Paul Companies
• $100 worth of meal coupons, a leather notebook and overnight bag donated by Rip Griffin Travel Centers
• $100 cash donated by Truckload Management, Inc.
• An AW5700 Tractor Scale Kit donated by Air-Weigh
• A Credit Service Package one-year subscription to Gold Book of Transportation Brokers Online, plus 12 credit reports donated by CompuNet Credit Services.
• A DA33100 Pure Air Plus Air Dryer from Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems
• A KBI Dieselmatic System & 2003 Fuel Cylinder donated by KBI/Kold Ban International
• A set of Steering Tires donated by Michelin North America
• An XM "Skyfi" by Delphi Satellite Radio, plus XM Radio satellite service for one year donated by XM Satellite Radio Inc.

The other winners and their prizes were:

Second Place

Artie Reid
Dart Transit Company
Lancaster, Texas

Mr. Reid started planning his 35 year driving career when, as a boy, he rode with his Uncle Eddie in his old cattle truck. Now he is a businessman as well as a driver contracting with Dart Transit where he has never had a late delivery and has an outstanding safety record. Art is known as a "first string quarterback" within Dart Transit. His business-like, non-nonsense, get-the-job-done-right -the-first-time attitude is respected and admired by shippers, receivers and fellow-contractors alike. Artie credits his wife, Jeanette, and their family of three sons, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with giving him the encouragement and cooperation he needs to make his business, and his life, a success. Their home is in Breckenridge, Texas.

Mr. Reid will receive the following prizes:

• $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and recognition plaque donated by Overdrive Magazine - Randall Trucking Media Group
• $1,000 in Frequent Fueler Gift Certificates donated by Flying J
• $1,000 Rewards Card donated by Love's Travel Stops
• $1,000 U.S Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
• $1,000 in gift certificates donated by Pilot Corp.
• $375 in cash donated by TravelCenters of America
• $250 cash donated by Mack Truck's
• $250 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
• $200 U. S. Savings Bond donated by the St. Paul Companies
• $100 cash donated by Truckload Management, Inc.
• $50 worth of meal coupons, a leather notebook and tote bag donated by Rip Griffin Travel Centers
• $50 cash, Route Tools Professional Software, and Deluxe Motor Carriers Road Atlas from Rand-McNally & Co.
• An AW5700 Tractor Scale Kit donated by Air-Weigh

Third Place Winners

Henry E. Shriver
Smithway Motor Xpress, Inc.
Fort Dodge, Iowa

Mr. Shriver learned to drive when he was a youngster on his father's farm. He has driven over two million miles accident free in his 27 years in the industry. In 1999, Henry won first place in his division in the state rodeo and placed 10th in the National Truck Driving Championships. Henry is no stranger to the TCA Independent Contractor of the Year Contest, he won fourth place last year. He has been featured in articles and videotapes by various organizations, including being driver of the month for Overdrive Magazine. Henry and his wife, Ann, live in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Mr. Shriver will receive the following prizes:

• $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and recognition plaque donated by Overdrive Magazine - Randall Trucking Media Group
• $1,000 in gift certificates donated by Pilot Corporation
• $1,000 in Frequent Fueler gift certificates donated by Flying J
• $1,000 U. S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
• $500 Rewards Card donated by Love's Travel Stops
• $375 in cash donated by TravelCenters of America
• $250 in cash donated by Mack Trucks
• $250 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
• $200 U.S. Savings Bond donated by the St. Paul Companies
• $100 cash donated by Truckload Management, Inc.
• $50 worth of meal coupons and a leather notebook donated by Rip Griffin Travel Centers
• $50 cash, Route Tools Professional Software, and Deluxe Motor Carriers Road Atlas from Rand-McNally & Co.
• An AW5700 Tractor Scale Kit donated by Air-Weigh

Fourth Place

Charles V. Parrish
Warren Transport Inc.
Waterloo, Iowa

Mr. Parrish has been a driver for twenty-two years, the last eleven with Warren Transport, and has over 2,150,000 accident-free miles. He has earned both a five-year and ten-year safety award from Warren Transport, and has been a member of Warren's Million Mile Club. Mr. Parrish was a finalist in the TCA 2001 Independent Contractor of the Year Contest. Charlie lives in Stoutsville, Missouri with his wife Diana, where he enjoys showing his truck to the local children.

Fifth Place

Ray E. Wells
Sherman Bros. Heavy Trucking
Harrisburg, Oregon

Mr. Wells holds an extensive safety record for over thirty years; twenty-two of which have been as an independent contractor and the last eleven as a "steel-driving" man for Sherman Brothers. Ray and his small fleet keep their equipment in top condition and deliver their loads in a safe and timely manner.

Ray holds Sherman Bros. Highest award for independent contractors and consistently receives his safety and fuel bonuses. He credits the support and understanding of Ruth, his wife for 26 years, for his success as a driver and business owner focused on safety and a quality performance. Ray and Ruth live in Nampa, Idaho.

Mr. Parrish and Mr. Wells will receive the following prizes:

• $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
• $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and recognition plaque Overdrive Magazine - Randall Trucking Media Group
• $375 in cash donated by TravelCenters of America
• $250 in cash donated by Mack Trucks, Inc.
• $250 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
• $200 U. S. Savings Bond donated by the St. Paul Companies
• $100 cash donated by Truckload Management, Inc.
• $50 cash, Route Tools Professional Software, and Deluxe Motor Carriers Road Atlas from Rand-McNally & Co.
• $25 worth of meal coupons and a leather notebook donated by Rip Griffin Travel Centers
• An AW5700 Tractor Scale Kit donated by Air-Weigh

Editor's Note: To receive electronic photos of the top five drivers (individually or as a group) receiving their prizes at the Annual Convention, please contact Aimee Cirucci after March 17, 2003 at 703/838-8859 or e-mail acirucci@truckload.org.

Don't feel like retyping all the prizes listed in this release? A Microsoft Word version of this press release can be downloaded from this website by clicking here.

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