FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Eric Reller

Oct. 20, 2008                                                                            (703) 838-1896

American Trucking Associations Announces Finalists for 2009-2010 America’s Road Team

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Trucking Associations today named 36 professional truck drivers as finalists in the selection process to become Captains on the 2009-2010 America’s Road Team. America’s Road Team, a group of professional drivers with superior safety records, was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America.

The 36 professional truck drivers will now move on to the final round of the selection process, which will be held Jan. 11-13, 2009 at the ATA headquarters in Arlington, Va.  A panel of trucking industry officials and trucking news media will judge the contestants on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate trucking’s messages and overall safe driving record.

The three day competition will culminate with a new team of America’s Road Team Captains receiving the signature Road Team blazer. The Captains then begin their two year term working to share the industry’s message of safety, professionalism and essentiality with the motoring public, news media, civic organizations, legislators and even fellow drivers across the nation.  

“America’s Road Team represents the best of the best,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.  “The 36 professional drivers selected as finalists all have impressive driving records, share a passion for safety and are engaged in their communities. We are honored to have them participate in this prestigious selection process.”

To be nominated to serve as a Road Team Captain, a driver must be employed as either a company driver for an ATA member motor carrier or as an owner-operator leased to an ATA member. Each nominee should have an excellent safety record, and should demonstrate an ability to communicate his or her commitment to safety, courtesy and professionalism.

"These candidates represent the dedication to safety that is at the heart of the trucking industry," said Scott Kress, senior vice president - sales & marketing, Volvo Trucks North America.  "Volvo is proud to recognize their efforts in making our nation's highways safer, and promoting the positive image of professional truck drivers. We also applaud their employers, who demonstrate their commitment to safety and industry image by supporting the large investment of time required to be an America's Road Team Captain."

2009-2010 America’s Road Team Finalists

Willie Atkinson                          Con-way Freight                        Florence, SC

Roger Bast                                Yellow Transportation                Lincoln, NE

Mark Bigalk                               FedEx Ground                          White Bear Lake, MN

Travis Boardman                        FedEx Ground                          Salisbury, MD

Bobby Brown                             UPS Freight                             Ft. Worth, TX

Gerald Charron                          Con-way Freight                        Danville, VT

Ron Coles                                 USF Reddaway                         Kuna, ID

Tim Dean                                  Werner Enterprises                    Griswold, IA

Rich Ewing                                Yellow Transportation                Bellingham, WA

John Foran                                United Parcel Service                 Saint Albans, VT

Danny Fuller                              Con-way Freight                        Jonesboro, AR

James Gallagher                        Roadway                                  Williamsville, NY

James Galloway                        Yellow Transportation                 Centerville, UT

Paul Gattin                                ABF Freight System                  Benton, AR

Steve Gilbert                              UPS Freight                              Sparks, NV

Mike Gilstrap                             FedEx Ground                           Independence, KS

Ronald Hawkins, Jr.                   K-Limited Carrier Ltd.                  Perrysburg, OH

Mark Hassemer                         Yellow Transportation                 Whitelaw, WI

David Herring     `                       Old Dominion Freight Lines         Trinity, NC

Barry Holland                             UPS Freight                              Hurlock, MD

Edward Hosegood                      Publix Super Markets, Inc.         Lakeland, FL

Keith Johnson                            Roadway                                  Eatonville, WA

Gary Leu                                   Wal-Mart Transportation             Shelbina, MO

Perry Mecum                             FedEx Ground                          Huntersville, NC

Greg Nauertz                             Roadway                                  Peoria, AZ

Kurt Pedersen                           Con-way Freight                        Surprise, AZ

Ronald Raney                            UPS Freight                             Grimes, IA

J.W. Ray                                   Werner Enterprises                   Omaha, NE

Donald Robinson                        Roadway                                  Uniontown, OH

Wendell “Al” Russell                   Roadway                                  Cascade Locks, OR

Ben Saiz                                   ABF Freight System                  Estancia, NM

Frank Silio                                 Covenant Transport                    Miami, FL

Jeffrey Thompson                       FedEx Freight                           Olathe, KS

Ronald VanBibber                      Roadway                                   South Jordan, UT

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. www.americasroadteam.com

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.