Truckload Carriers Association Reveals 2016 Driver of the Year Finalists
ALEXANDRIA, VA… The Truckload Carriers Association's Driver of the Year contests, sponsored by Love's Travel Stops and Cummins Inc., recognizes the company and owner operator professional truck drivers who provide reliable transportation of North America's goods. The finalists and grand prizewinners are selected based on their ability to operate safely on public highways, their efforts to enhance the public image of the trucking industry, and their positive contributions to the communities in which they live.
"Our nation's economy depends on the health and strength of the trucking industry, and at the heart of it is the driver," said Amy Boerger, vice president of sales at Cummins Inc. "We sponsor this award because Cummins wants to shine a broader light on this great and important profession."
Jon Archard, vice president of sales at Love's Travel Stops added, "Far too often [professional drivers'] hard work and dedication to safety and professionalism goes unnoticed. We know that to sustain growth we need the continued support of our trucking customers and professional drivers, and we could not be more proud to support [the] Driver of the Year award."
Thanks to the generosity of Cummins Inc. and Love's Travel Stops, the two overall winners will receive $25,000 each, while the two runners-up in each division will win $2,500.
To be eligible for the contests, driver applicants were required to meet strict standards, such as one million consecutive accident-free miles. Judges examined each driver's operating information, work history, and safety record, and each finalist was asked to write a 300-word essay explaining why he or she is a good "trucking citizen" and should be considered for the grand prize. For the owner operator candidates judges also reviewed equipment specifications, business plans, and financial statements.
The finalists for the 2016 Driver of the Year contests are:
Company Driver of the Year contest finalists:
•Murray Manuliak - Bison Transport
•David McGowan - WEL Companies
•William Poteet - Saddle Creek Logistics Services
Owner Operator of the Year contest finalists:
•Gary Buchs - Landstar System, Inc.
•Philip Keith - WEL Companies
•Kevin Kocmich - Diamond Transportation System, Inc.
The names of the grand prizewinners will be announced at TCA's Annual Convention, to be held at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn., March 26-29, 2017. For further information on the Driver of the Year competition, please visit www.truckload.org/Driver-of-the-Year.
To learn more about TCA and its activities, please visit www.truckload.org and follow on Facebook—www.truckload.org/Facebook—and Twitter—www.truckload.org/Twitter.
Search the hashtag #DOY2016 to learn more about the contests, sponsors and to view photos once the winners have been announced.