Trucking’s Goodwill Ambassadors Prepare for Road Diplomacy

The trucking community put its best feet forward – 13 to be exact – of those behind the wheels of big rigs in naming the latest group of America’s Road Team.

	Michael James - Transport Topics
	Members of the 2000 America's Road Team

It wasn’t an easy road for the baker’s dozen to occupy the slots in the 14th year of the program, sponsored by American Trucking Associations.

First, the organization asked its members to comb their personnel lists for truckers who would best represent the industry. Then, the top candidates were culled from thousands of nominees.

The final phase had a panel of judges narrow down the list to 36 semifinalists, who were put through a three-day test with interviews, speeches and mock media interrogations. The truckers were also evaluated on their knowledge of safety issues and community service. The 13 finalists, who together have more than 23 million accident-free miles, became captains of America’s Road Team.

The 2000 team will be the first to serve a two-year term. Past squads had been appointed to an 18-month tour of duty. The next road team will be selected in June 2001 and the overlap will be used to allow the two groups to work together, according to ATA.

For the full story, see the Jan. 24 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.