20 truckers named to ATA’s America’s Road Team ambassador program

The Volvo VNL and specially wrapped trailer used by the 2015-2016 America’s Road team.The Volvo VNL and specially wrapped trailer used by the 2015-2016 America’s Road team.

The American Trucking Associations has announced the members of the 2017-2018 America’s Road team, a group of 20 truck operators to serve as trucking industry ambassadors for the next two years.

The newly chosen America’s Road Team Captains will tour the U.S. in 2017 and 2018 in ATA’s Interstate One Image Truck, an American flag-emblazoned Volvo VNL 780 with a 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 truck drivers, the critical role trucking plays in the U.S. economy and industry safety.

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 industry press 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.

The 2017-2018 Captains will immediately begin their work in bolstering the trucking industry’s image to the motoring public, lawmakers and the media. The team’s two-year journey will be chronicled on Facebook and Twitter.

The 2017-2018 America’s Road Team Captains are:

Steve Brand, FedEx Freight

Jon Brockway, Walmart Transportation LLC

John Gaddy, Carbon Express, Inc.

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