NJ Truck Driver Rounds Out 2017-2018 America’s Road Team
American Trucking Associations (ATA) has named 20 professional truck drivers, including Captain John Gaddy of Asbury, N.J., to the 2017-2018 America’s Road Team, an elite group of professionals who serve as trucking industry ambassadors.
Gaddy is a driver for Carbon Express in Wharton, N.J. and was the New Jersey Motor Truck Association‘s 2015 Driver of the Year.
“There are 3.5 million safe, professional truck drivers on our nation’s roads and every single one of them has a valuable story to tell. ATA is proud to select these respected drivers as the newest America’s Road Team Captains and we are thankful that they will continue to tell their important stories throughout the country,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Their companies, friends and families should all be incredibly proud of these drivers for dedicating themselves to spreading a positive message about trucking.”
America’s Road Team was established in 1986 as an outreach initiative designed to introduce the motoring public, lawmakers and the media to the trucking industry. Since its inception, America’s Road Team has impressed upon millions of drivers the trucking industry’s safety record, key role in American commerce and professionalism.
In terms of trucking’s impact on just one state, New Jersey, consider the numbers: the trucking industry provides 1 out of every 18 jobs and is responsible for transporting 73% percent of the state’s manufactured tonnage. Additionally, 84.5% percent of New Jersey’s communities depend exclusively on trucks to deliver their goods.
“For many drivers, being named to America’s Road Team is the pinnacle of their careers,” said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. “By compiling millions of accident-free miles, serving hundreds of hours in their communities and articulating the passion they have for their careers as truck drivers, these new Captains are excellent examples of the professionalism that’s become a hallmark of our industry.”
For the next two years, the newly chosen America’s Road Team Captains will tour North America in ATA’s Interstate One Image Truck, an American flag emblazoned Volvo VNL 780 with a state-of-the-art truck driving simulator. The Captains, who will remain full-time truck drivers with their various ATA member companies, will speak candidly about the life of an American truck driver, the important role trucking plays in the delivery of critical goods and the safety-first mentality held by all professional truck drivers.
The final round of the selection process for America’s Road Team was held January 8-10 in Arlington, Va. A panel of industry officials and trucking news media judged the finalists on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages and overall safe driving record.
After receiving their signature navy blue America’s Road Team blazers, the 2017-2018 Captains immediately began their work in improving public perception of the trucking industry.
The 2017-2018 America’s Road Team Captains are:
Steve Brand, FedEx Freight
Jon Brockway, Walmart Transportation LLC
John Gaddy, Carbon Express, Inc.
W. Scott Harrison, K Limited Carrier Ltd
Rhonda Hartman, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Gary Helms, Covenant Transport, Inc.
Bill Krouse, YRC Freight
David Livingston, TCW, Inc.
Charles Lobsiger, Walmart Transportation LLC
Timothy Melody, ABF Freight System, Inc.
James Moore, Saia LTL Freight
Chris Outen, FedEx Freight
Charlton Paul Jr., UPS Freight
Jeffrey Payne, Reddaway, Inc.
Stephen Richardson, Big G Express, Inc.
Michael Sheeds, Werner Enterprises
Steven Smalley, ABF Freight System, Inc.
Gary Smith, Garner Trucking, Inc.
Earl Taylor, Penske Logistics
Tim Taylor, FedEx Freight
The America’s Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks. American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.
Category: Featured
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