ATA Announces America’s Road Team Captains for 2024-25
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American Trucking Associations on Jan. 16 unveiled the 24 professional truck drivers who were selected to be part of the 2024-25 America’s Road Team.
America’s Road Team captains serve as trucking industry ambassadors. They travel the country to discuss the importance of safe driving and teach people about the trucking industry. ATA selects who it considers to be outstanding drivers with superior safety records.
“This elite group of professionals rose to the top of their field through years of hard work, dedication and an unwavering commitment to safety that is measured in millions of miles,” ATA President Chris Spear said. “These exceptional individuals embody an essential segment of the American workforce whose contributions are seen and felt by virtually everyone in this country.”
Spear
The professional drivers selected come from 14 states, represent 14 motor carriers and have driven a total of 61.6 million accident-free miles. They will dedicate time each month to attending industry events, such as speaking at schools or meeting with policymakers on behalf of the trucking industry.
“As these captains now head over the road with a new mission and a vital message to share, we take extreme pride in their achievements and know that our nation will learn many valuable lessons from them and the example they set for our entire industry,” Spear said.
The 2024-2025 America's Road Team Selections continue! What a fantastic group of professional truck drivers. #ThankATrucker pic.twitter.com/VNla5Lhsj7 — America's Road Team (@AmericaRoadTeam) January 16, 2024
ATA held its final round of selections from January 14-16 at its headquarters in Washington. There were 36 finalists. Drivers were judged on their ability to express their knowledge of the industry and safety while also having their overall safe driving record reviewed. The panel of judges included trucking executives and trade press. The drivers that were selected to become team captains are:
- Ben Atkinson at ABF Freight System in Florida
- Willie Baylor at FedEx Freight in Indiana
- Terry Bennett at ABF Freight System in Florida
- Perry Carter at Cargo Transporters in North Carolina
- Damon Evans at UPS Inc. in California
- Dennis Hall at Tyson Foods in Texas
- David Hedicker at ABF Freight System in Ohio
- Lloyd Howell at TCW in Alabama
- John Lemmons at UPS Inc. in Tennessee
- Rodney McNew at Groendyke Transport in Texas
- Michael Middleton at Old Dominion Freight Line in Tennessee
- Peter Palczynski at Walmart Transportation in Illinois
- Emily Plummer at Prime Inc. in Missouri
- Wayne Ponschke at UPS Inc. in California
- Scott Post at FedEx Ground — Spartan Logistics in Minnesota
- John Antoine Sadler at Walmart Transportation in North Carolina
- Brian Sheehan at CRST The Transportation Solution Inc. in Indiana
- Molly Shultz at TransLand in Missouri
- Anthony Tirone at Walmart Transportation in Florida
- Chevelle Walker at Werner Enterprises in Florida
- Bernard Wanyo at UPS Inc. in Pennsylvania
- Michael Whitehead at FedEx Freight in South Dakota
- James “Gragg” Wilson at UPS Inc. in Nevada
- David Young at FedEx Freight in North Carolina
As we conclude the second day of Selections, we celebrate the finalists for completing their personal interviews and speeches. Another great day. We wish the finalists the best of luck as we move closer to selecting the 2024-2025 America’s Road Team. pic.twitter.com/yCXe5vKSsU — America's Road Team (@AmericaRoadTeam) January 15, 2024
ATA said that the new captains will tour the country in its Interstate One Image Truck. A Volvo VNL 760 will tow an American flag-emblazoned trailer that contains a truck driving simulator and mobile classroom. Volvo is a returning sponsor of America’s Road Team.
“Volvo Trucks is honored to continue our sponsorship of America’s Road Team and take part in this week’s selection of the 2024-2025 captains,” Volvo Trucks North America President Peter Voorhoeve said. “America’s Road Team is one of the most visible groups of professional truck drivers in the country, and we believe their hard work and dedication pays dividends for our industry. We thank the captains for their engagement and passion as ambassadors.”
It’s Selection Week!
Congrats to all the finalists in DC as we prepare to name the 2024-2025 @AmericaRoadTeam Captains! https://t.co/G1Ww2YXVcQ — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) January 16, 2024
ATA noted that trucking industry professionals can support the team and its mission by following their two-year journey on social media and interacting with them at major industry events, conferences and community visits.
“I’m thrilled to start off 2024 by welcoming these top-tier professional drivers to America’s Road Team,” ATA Chairman Andrew Boyle said. “This program is essential to our industry — captains serve as ambassadors communicating our message of safety, professionalism and opportunity. I wish the new captains a warm congratulations and thank them for their hard work and dedication to trucking.”
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