FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eric Reller
Sept. 2, 2008 (703) 838-1896
America’s Road Team Captain Wins Prestigious Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award
ARLINGTON, Va. - America’s Road Team Captain Clarence Jenkins, Jr. was honored last weekend at the 2008 National Truck Driving Championships with the prestigious Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award.
Jenkins, who hails from Poca, W.V., was honored for most exemplifying all of the best attributes of a professional truck driver. Contestants are judged on their driving records, skills, attitude and professionalism. The winner must also have competed at the National Truck Driving Championships for at least seven years.
“I could not think of a driver that more exemplifies the criteria of the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award,” said ATA Vice President Elisabeth Barna. “We at ATA are fortunate to work closely with Clarence in spreading the industry’s message of safety and professionalism, and he is truly one of the best representatives for the industry.”
Jenkins has competed in 13 National Truck Driving Championships, including this year. In 1988, he took home the top prize in his division, winning the five-axle competition.
“Each day Clarence Jenkins epitomizes what America's Road Team stands for by representing the American trucking industry with professionalism, skill and safety,” said. Scott Kress, senior vice president - sales & marketing, Volvo Trucks North America. “Mr. Jenkin's entire career demonstrates the highest level of driving performance, while at the same time being a truly effective ambassador to the general public.”
Clarence also has received the following honors: Distinguished West Virginian Award, Award of Excellence, Mack Million Mile Award, Pre-trip Inspection Award, West Virginia State Police Safety Traffic Award, West Virginia Driver of the Month (three times), and West Virginia Outstanding Driver Award (six times).
Clarence is a Past President of the West Virginia Association of Truck Driver Champions and is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Professional Truck Drivers Association. He was also a member of the Overnite/UPS Road Team. Clarence participates in the Mid-Atlantic Charity Fun Drive annually to help raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, winning the sleeper-class division in 2002.
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.