The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently released an extensive list of finalists for the 2024-2025 America’s Road Team.
“These men and women were selected as finalists for America’s Road Team because they have outstanding safe driving records, share a passion for the trucking industry, and are role models among their peers,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear reportedly said. “We owe these professional drivers our gratitude. Without them, the American economy would come to a halt.”
Created in 1986, America’s Road Team consists of professional truckers with exemplary safe driving histories. The annual honor is sponsored by Volvo Trucks, and nominees have the full support and confidence of companies. America’s Road Team captains typically travel the country during their tenure, speaking at schools and policy-setting meetings. The 36 finalists have reportedly logged more than 81 million combined miles and bring upwards of 1,035 years of experience to the table. A group of industry insiders and media professionals are expected to examine the candidates’ trucking knowledge, safety records, and communication skills. The list includes the following.
- Mike Alpine: ABF Freight System Inc., Arizona
- Ben Atkinson: ABF Freight System, Inc., Florida
- Willie Baylor: FedEx Freight, Indiana
- Terry Bennett: ABF Freight System Inc., Florida
- Joe Busch: ABF Freight System Inc., Iowa
- Perry Carter: Cargo Transporters Inc., North Carolina
- Joseph Collins: FedEx Ground – Spartan Logistics, Minnesota
- Robbie Cottrell: XPO, Virginia
- Howard Crawford: United Parcel Service, North Carolina
- Damon Evans: United Parcel Service, California
- Orlando Fraley: FedEx Freight, Georgia
- Dennis Hall: Tyson Foods Inc., Texas
- Robert Hare: FedEx Freight, Virginia
- Dave Hedicker: ABF Freight System Inc., Ohio
- Lloyd Howell TCW, Alabama
- John Lemmons: United Parcel Service, Tennessee
- Ronnie Mahan: FedEx Freight, Arkansas
- Sean McClure: Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Utah
- Rodney McNew: Groendyke Transport Inc., Texas
- Mike Middleton: Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Tennessee
- Pete Palczynski: Walmart Transportation, Illinois
- Emily Plummer: Prime Inc., Missouri
- Wayne Ponschke: United Parcel Service, California
- Scott Post: FedEx Ground – Spartan Logistics, Minnesota
- John Antoine Sadler: Walmart Transportation, North Carolina
- Gary Schmidt: Jacobson Transport & Cliff Viessman Inc., Minnesota
- Brian Sheehan: CRST The Transportation Solution Inc., Indiana
- Molly Shultz: TransLand, Missouri
- Anthony Tirone: Walmart Transportation, Florida
- Chevelle Walker: Werner Enterprises, Florida
- Bernard Wanyo: United Parcel Service, Pennsylvania
- Thomas Warters: Penske Logistics, Florida
- Mike Whitehead: FedEx Freight, South Dakota
- James “Gragg” Wilson: United Parcel Service, Nevada
- Ryan Ybarra: United Parcel Service, California
- David Young: FedEx Freight, North Carolina
The 36 finalists reside in 20 states, possess six to 46 years of truck driving experience, and have logged between 350,000 and 4 million safe driving miles.
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