TRUCKING`S - Truckload Carriers Association

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PRESENTS
TRAIN. RETAIN. GAIN.
in conjunction with
Contents
3Introduction
4
Research Findings
5
Executive Insights And Perspectives
8
Selection Criteria
10
Rewards & Recognition
11Marketing
13Judges
17
Program Partners
2
Introduction
Six years ago, Randall-Reilly, parent company of Truckers News pursued a suggestion from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association to create a national “Rookie of the Year” Contest to highlight the opportunities in the
truck driving profession. Officially named Trucking’s Top Rookie, the contest accepts nominations from schools
and motor carriers of drivers that have been in the industry for less than one year.
The purpose of the contest is to increase pride and professionalism among new drivers, and promote the truck
driving career choice during a severe shortage of drivers. Randall-Reilly will use its many trucking periodicals
and industry partners to promote the contest and to recognize nominees. The winner will be announced at the
Great American Truck Show in Dallas, TX.
A summary of our major findings follows.
3
Research Findings
Driver Shortage
We feel the timing is perfect for TCA and their school committee to work with us, ATA, CVTA, NAPFTDS and PTDI
to launch the Trucking’s Top Rookie program.
For several years, industry executives have projected a “perfect storm” of factors that will lead to a driver shortage. Among these items are an aging workforce, rising freight volumes, and a tightening of requirements for
drivers resulting from CSA.
The American Trucking Associations commonly cites a “driver shortage” that’s expected to grow to 240,000 in
the next decade. Now, you can add ELDs and funding challenges to the mix, which makes it even more critical
for carriers to hire more drivers and retain the drivers they hire.
In his The Driver Recruitment Crunch- Will You Be Successful? presentation to a Truckload Carriers Association convention, Kelly Anderson pointed out that lack of appreciation and respect were the two leading factors in driver
turnover.
Simply put, recognition = retention is the central premise behind our proposed Trucking’s Top Rookie program.
Now, more than ever, fleets that identify and recognize the efforts of new hires will increase their odds of success
in the current marketplace.
According to research from Wright Management Consultants, 40% of people taking a new job decide if they are
long-timers within the first 72 hours.
More importantly, 39% of truck drivers leave the industry after 90 days.
Workforce Investment Act funds are being cut and Pell Grant rules are changes, both of which are making it
harder to attract new people into trucking. CVTA estimates that as many as 60 percent of the approximately
56,000 students that they train are funded using WIA funds.
4
Executive Insights And Perspectives
Dan Baker
Trucking’s Top Rookie Award is not only a superb designation; it also serves to remind us
that our new generation of drivers is challenging us to see ourselves differently. No longer
do we simply recruit and hire new drivers. Today we are challenged to see ourselves as the
mentoring generation, who learns as much as we teach.
We are recruiting a new generation that doesn’t think like we do, and we need to
acknowledge that they can give us as much as we can give them. I think the greatest gift
we can bequeath to this new group of new drivers is to help them see and understand our
great traditions. Trucking is an industry of hard work, personal commitment, passionate
pride and belief in the value of our people. These new and sometimes younger drivers need
to clearly know that they are “our people”.
Though the Image of the old mile-running, money-making Mossback driver is one we all
honor; these new drivers are bringing us a new image, a new set of skills and a whole new
set of expectations. To me, this Trucking’s Top Rookie Award is our way of acknowledging
that they have as much to give us as we have to give them. We can both learn and we can
both teach.
This Award attests to the fact that TCA recognizes and honors these new entrants into our
great family.
Dan Baker is a nationally known speaker, teacher and consultant to the trucking industry. He travels
extensively throughout the US and Canada, working with numerous trucking companies and related
industries. He speaks at meetings and gatherings of all kinds, from driver safety meetings to award
dinners, to state and national conventions.
Dan’s current focus is on the people side of trucking and how the new generational evolution has affected what we do, how we think and how we deal with our driver problems. He never strays far from
his basic theme that if you’re in the trucking business today, first of all you’re in the people business
and secondly, you’re in the trucking business. He helps his trucking people make sense out of their
very complex and complicated world.
5
Executive Insights And Perspectives
Kevin Burch
President - Jet Express, Inc.
Second Vice Chairman – American Trucking Associations
Former Chairman - Truckload Carriers Association
I have always thought of “trucking” as more than just moving freight. It’s a PROFESSION, a
livelihood, and to many, a way of life. Becoming a truck driver affords the opportunity after
only a few months of professional training to be fully employed. The industry is so vast that
it offers many options. That includes becoming a company driver, an owner-operator, a fleet
owner, a technician or even an operations supervisor in a very short period of time. Image is a
very important part of trucking and the “Trucking’s Top Rookie” contest is a perfect venue on
showcasing what it takes to become a professional truck driver. Trucking is about opportunity
and becoming a “rookie of the year” could take you on the road to a full time job with earnings
over $40,000 annually.
The new industry wide image movement, Trucking Moves America Forward, is so important
to telling our stories and educating others. The Top Rookie program is one example of how
the image of the professional driver is so important to growing our vital industry.
I have never missed a paycheck in over 40 years in the industry. Not being a driver myself in the
beginning, I did get a CDL 35 years later! So I am a good example of being a rookie. Trucking
is a great profession and The Trucking’s Top Rookie contest could lead to bigger and better
things! Trucking Moves America Forward.
Kevin has over 40 years of experience in the trucking industry, including LTL, TL, Air Freight and consolidation. Since 1990, he has been President of Jet Express, Inc., as well as a partner in the company. Under
Kevin’s leadership, Jet Express currently has 90 company drivers, 220 owner-operators and 600 trailers. The
company handles up to 400 truckloads per day throughout the United States, primarily for the “just-intime” automotive industry. Providing excellent service, the company was awarded the prestigious “Worldwide Supplier Award” 3 consecutive years from General Motors. The company was awarded “Supplier of the
Year” for 2011, the only truckload supplier in North America to receive this award.
Kevin is currently second vice chairman of the American Trucking Associations, the largest national trade
association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and
industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to
move our nation’s freight. Kevin is past-chairman of the Truckload Carrier’s Association (2009-2010), based
in Alexandria, VA which consists of over 200,000 trucks.
Kevin has been an active member of the American Trucking Associations since 1990. He serves on the
Membership Committee, is on the selection committee for LEAD ATA, is past-chairman of its Communications and Image Policy Committee, and serves as vice chairman of the executive committee of the Trucking Moves America Forward image movement. He is a Trustee of the Ohio Trucking Association, a steering
committee member of the Dayton Logistics Council, a member of the Miami Valley Transportation Club in
Dayton, Ohio, a member of the Board of Directors of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, and is involved in numerous committees including the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. Kevin is very
active with the local Boy Scouts of America and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington,
DC. Kevin is a hands-on leader who believes in team sharing on all projects; i.e.: “drivers drive the company.”
He acquired his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in September, 2008 and in 2014 received the prestigious
Mike Russell Trucking Industry Image Award.
6
Executive Insights And Perspectives
Steve Prelipp
Prelipp Consulting
“Recognizing high performing “rookie” drivers is a high priority in this industry. The Baby
Boom of people born between 1946 and 1964” generated great drivers for our industry.
The youngest Baby Boomers are 50 years old and many of them are still driving trucks.
However, the future belongs to generation X and Y. They are tech savvy, great on Smart
Phones and would rather text then email. The technology of trucking is a good match for
the under age 50 truck drivers.
Identifying and rewarding the best of the best among new drivers helps to elevate truck
drivers and the trucking industry as the backbone of our national transportation of goods
to the end user. Without the necessary quantity and quality of truck drivers our country
cannot thrive.”
Steve Prelipp has over 40 years as an executive and consultant in the trucking industry. The executive experience includes 16 years at Schneider National and 2 positions as President of truckload carriers.
The past 16 years he has consulted with carriers in the truckload industry. Because of the ongoing driver
shortage in recent years he has focused primarily on how carriers can recruit and retain drivers. In this role
he works closely with recruiting and operations on effective communication and sales skills.
He has designed and delivered numerous training workshops for driver recruiters, fleet managers and executives. These training programs include “The Highly Effective Fleet Manager” that was created for the
Truckload Carriers Association. He has been a speaker at numerous conventions of the American Trucking
Associations, the American Trucking Associations and the National Private Truck Council.
The Prelipp Consulting, Inc. client list includes Boyd Bros., Comcar Industries, Crete Carriers, Covenant Transportation, FedEx Custom Critical, Greatwide, Roehl Transport and many more. He is also the past Chairman
of the University of Georgia Trucking Profitability Strategy Conference.
7
Selection Criteria
Trucking’s Top Rookie Eligibility & Rules
Eligibility:
Any CDL holder who has graduated from a PTDI certified, or NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training
school within the past year and has been employed by a trucking company for less than one year, is eligible
for the award.
Nomination Procedure and Duration of Contest:
Nominations may be made by motor carrier employers, training organizations, the general public and/or
other interested parties. There is a standardized nomination form, which can be downloaded from
www.truckload.org/rookie from May 16 to June 24. You may then submit a completed form online.
All nominations are due in the TCA office by the close of business at 5:00pm ET on Friday, June 24, 2016.
An expert panel of judges, which includes representatives from motor carriers, schools (both public and
private), suppliers and trade associations, will identify 10 finalists, who will be notified by July 15, 2016.
Among the criteria they will evaluate when considering the Trucking’s Top Rookie award will be:
• Availability for loads
• On time delivery
• Highway safety performance
• Customer relations
• Work record
• Non-job related activities
Procedure for Awarding the Trucking’s Top Rookie
The Trucking’s Top Rookie winner will be awarded without regard to sex, race, color, national origin or
religion. One winner from the 10 finalists will be notified and will receive an all expenses paid trip to Dallas,
TX for 2016 Great American Trucking Show, where they will be recognized during an award presentation on
Friday, August 26, 2016.
8
Selection Criteria
Rules
All applications must be completed online. Only those applications submitted through the online application
process will be accepted. Applications received by any other means will not be considered.
Motor carrier employers and training organizations may nominate up to five drivers; however, only one driver
per company can qualify for placement among the top 10 finalists.
When entering as a team, each driver must submit a separate, complete application.
In order to verify the nominee’s submitted information, the judges and/or staff may directly contact the motor
carrier employer and the judges and/or staff may obtain credit reports, motor vehicle reports, and other
information as determined necessary to evaluate the application in the sole and exclusive discretion of the
judges and/or staff.
Any erroneous or false information provided in the application will result in immediate disqualification.
All prizewinners are responsible for any applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
All applicants must furnish an electronic version of a photograph (of a quality not less than 300 dpi) featuring the
entrant’s head and shoulders and taken within the last year Photographs must be submitted with the application.
They may eventually be used for publicity purposes, and by submitting the application and photographs, the
entrant specifically agrees to use of the photographs in any and all media related to the contest.
The decision of the judges is final, and entrants specifically agree that the decision is not subject to review or
appeal in any forum whatsoever, including courts of law.
9
Rewards & Recognition
The Trucking’s Top Rookie winner will also receive:
•
•
•
•
•
•
$10,000 cash
$1,000 cash and 100,000 Pilot Flying J MyReward points
A custom plaque from Award Company of America
Interview on Red Eye Radio Network with Eric Harley
$1,000 worth of DAS Products merchandise featuring the RoadPro Getting Started Living On-The-Go Package
American Trucking Associations “Good Stuff Trucks Bring It” package, which includes a logoed polo shirt,
baseball cap, model truck and utility knife
• An IntelliRoute®TND™ 730 LM GPS Unit and a Deluxe Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas from Rand McNally
The other nine finalists will receive:
•
•
•
•
•
$1,000 cash
50,000 MyRewards points from Pilot Flying J
A custom plaque from Award Company of America
$100 worth of DAS Products Merchandise, featuring the Road Pro MobileSpec Portable Life Package
American Trucking Associations ‘ “Good Stuff Trucks Bring It” package which includes a logoed polo shirt,
baseball cap, model truck and utility knife
• An IntelliRoute®TND™ 730 LM GPS Unit
10
Marketing
|Cover Story |
22
feature 1014.indd 1
www.studentdriverplacement.com
October ‘14
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IK
Immediately following the awards ceremony, Red Eye Radio’s Eric Harley conducted a live interview with Matulle, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin who received
her CDL at Fox Valley Technical College.
Matulle said she felt “blessed” to be
named Trucking’s Top Rookie. “It was a
huge honor. Not only am I doing the job
I’ve dreamed of my entire life, I was recognized for it. This award was not only icing
on the cake but LOTS of sprinkles too,”
says Matulle. “While listening to the other
nine nominees’ history I felt so honored
to be in such great company...and then Julie Matulle poses with a commemorative $10,000
to win it? Just crazy. My life could not be check she won for being named the 2014 Mike
O’Connell Memorial Trucking’s Top Rookie. To her right is
better!”
Rob Behnke from Fox Valley Technical College.
The Mike O’Connell Memorial Trucking’s Top Rookie contest was created to be successful not only in our Transportahighlight the opportunities in the truck driv- tion Industry but in every aspect of life.
ing profession and promote the truck driv- Starting slow and meek she quickly blosing career choice during a severe short- somed into a leader, and a confident one
age of drivers. Carriers were asked to at that,” Behnke said. “Her classmates
nominate their top rookie who had gradu- would always be watching to see what Juated from a PTDI certified, or NAPFTDS- lie would do next and how she would apor CVTA-member driver training
proach the task at hand. Julie was
school within the past year and
not intimidated by the industry
ONNELL MEM
’C
O
O
had been employed by their
but determined to make sigE
CKING
’
trucking company for less
nificant strides and changes
RU
than one year. Nominees
if necessary. Being a lady in
were judged on their safety
our ‘typically’ male dominatperformance, customer sered industry, Julie was taking
vice and achievements within
the reins and on the run!”
their organization.
Nine other finalists for
Rob Behnke, an instructor
the Trucking’s Top Rookat Fox Valley Technical Colie award each received
lege Truck Driving Program,
$1,000 in cash and a vawas proud to have Matulle as a graduate riety of other prizes. The other finalists
of their school. “Julie came to us with a were Dion Blair, who went to All State Casmile, great attitude, and determination to reer School before signing on with TMC
24
feature 1014.indd 2
S
Matulle was chosen for the award by an
expert panel of judges, which included representatives from training schools, suppliers and trade associations. As Trucking’s
Top Rookie, Matulle won $10,000 in cash
and the following prizes:
• A custom plaque from Award Company
of America, a division of Randall-Reilly
• A GPS unit and Motor Carrier Road Atlas from Rand McNally
• American
Trucking
Associations
“Trucking Moves America Forward”
prize package
• $1,000 cash and 100,000 MyRewards
points from Pilot Flying J
A dash camera and Bluetooth-enabled
CB radio from COBRA Electronics
A one-year membership and logo prize
pack from the Women In Trucking Association
AL
R
andall-Reilly announced H.O.
Wolding company driver Julie
Matulle as the winner in its Mike
O’Connell Memorial Trucking’s Top Rookie program at a ceremony on Friday, August 22 during the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas.
•
RI
Randall-Reilly will run feature
articles in their Student Driver
Placement magazine, which
is delivered to driver training
schools, and in Driving
Force, which is distributed at
several hundred truckstops
nationwide.
Cash and prizes awarded at
Great American Trucking Show
•
M
Editorial
H.O. Wolding’s Julie Matulle
Named Trucking’s Top Rookie
T
|Cover Story |
www.studentdriverplacement.com
October ‘14
9/17/14 3:49 PM
The contest, including a
feature about the winner, will
be featured in Truckers News,
Overdrive and Commercial
Carrier Journal.
“Newsletters”
TCA, ATA, NAPFTDS and CVTA
promote nominations via
their respective e-newsletters
and social media channels.
Truckers News, Overdrive and
Commercial Carrier Journal
will include news about the
contest in their newsletters
and online social media
outlets.
11
Marketing
Placement directors at PTDI, NAPFTDS and CVTA member schools will be sent information about the program to discuss with current students and will be encouraged
to nominate recent graduates who are making a positive impact in trucking.
Red Eye Radio Network will run 30-second PSAs during the first month of nominations and provide airtime to schools, fleets, judges, and Trucking’s Top Rookie underwriters and program partners until the process has concluded.
Red Eye Radio Network will then podcast the interviews in the News
section of their website.
Award-winning host Eric Harley will interview the 10 finalists and
conduct a live interview with the overall winner at The Great American Trucking Show (GATS).
August 21-23, 2014
The Great American
Trucking Show
Directory & News
Exhibitor Listings and Floor Plan Inside!
Show Hours
The GATS Show Daily newspaper will feature the winner in Randall-Reilly’s Saturday edition.
Thursday
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seminars,
workshops
and more
Inspections and CSA scores,
medical certificate updates, hours
of service compliance, natural gas,
safety audits, maximizing fuel
purchases and having success as
an owner-operator are all topics to
be covered by the Smart Sessions
at the show, which are sponsored
by the Texas Trucking Association.
The seminars are free to attendees.
See Page 4 for the full schedule of
educational seminars.
Follow the
show live #GATS
Overdrive will be covering
the show live at
OverdriveOnline.com and will
be providing up-to-the-minute
information on show happenings on
Twitter, @OverdriveUpdate #GATS.
Dan Brubaker and his 2014 Peterbilt 389 and Wilson livestock trailer will be competing in the Working
Combo category in the Pride & Polish National Championship.
Show
truck
champs
Turning heads
Bill Rethwisch will be looking to defend his Pride & Polish
Dozens of the nation’s hottest show
National Championship in the Working Combo category
trucks are going head to head in com- with his 2012 Peterbilt 389 and Polar tanker. Rethwisch
petition in the Pride & Polish area of the has another truck, a 2013 Peterbilt 389 and tanker,
show. See Page 74 for more details.
competing in the same category.
Join in on the show conversation
by Liking Overdrive on Facebook,
facebook.com/OverdriveTrucking.
See inside for show happenings:
For two daily roundups of news and
information from the show, subscribe
to the Overdrive daily newsletter,
overdriveonline.com/newslettersignup.
• Trucking-themed rifle giveaway (pg. 4) • Trucker Talent Search finale (pg. 4)
• Mike Ryan’s stunt truck (pg. 6) • Sirius XM broadcasting live from the show (pg. 6)
• Freightliner showing off latest equipment (pg. 4)
Overdrive’s Most
Beautiful winner
to greet attendees,
sign autographs
Emily Weymouth will make appearances at
the booths of Con-way, the program’s sponsor, and Overdrive during the show. Last year’s
winner, Maggie Stone, will crown her at the
show at Red Eye Radio’s private VIP party. See
Page 74 for Weymouth’s schedule.
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And don’t forget to also visit one of our independent
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*While supplies last. United Financial Casualty Co. & affiliates.
greatamericantruckingshow
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GATS14PG_Editorial.indd 1
@TruckShow #GATS
7/17/14 2:11 PM
A Randall-Reilly
Event
8/13/14 8:04 AM
12
Judges
Dave Heller
Director of Safety and Policy - Truckload Carrier Association
David Heller is the Director of Safety and Policy for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA)
and is responsible for communicating and interpreting all industry related regulations, safety, legislative and otherwise to the membership of TCA.
David serves as the Director of the Professional Truck Driver Institute and is on the Board of
NATSO’s Foundation.
Prior to his tenure at TCA, David spent six years with the American Trucking Associations,
in the trucking safety arena, and focused on programs such as the National Truck Driving
Championships and the establishment of safe driving programs for motor carrier members.
While employed with ATA, David earned his certification from the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) as a Director of Safety (CDS) and recently had his certification renewed for his continuous involvement in transportation safety related matters.
David is currently an active member of the ATA Safety and Loss Prevention Management
Council and involved in several committees and working groups within the Council.
Bruce Busada
Diesel Driving Academy
Bruce Busada is President of Diesel Driving Academy which recently celebrated its 42nd
year in business. Diesel Driving Academy has three campuses: Shreveport, Louisiana; Baton
Rouge, Louisiana and Little Rock, Arkansas. His schools have trained thousands of entrylevel drivers in his distinguished career.
Busada is Board Member Emeritus and founding member of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association and a founding member of the Commercial Driver Training Foundation,
where he currently serves as Treasurer.
Bruce is also the Louisiana State Captain and Federal Legislative Committee Member for the
Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities and is on the Advisory Council for
United States Department of Education (Region VI)
13
Judges
Brad Klepper
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Drivers Legal Plan
J. Bradley Klepper is Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Drivers Legal Plan, Ltd.,
which is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Before joining
Drivers Legal Plan, he spent almost a decade with the largest law firm in Oklahoma where
his practice included extensive experience in transactional law, business defense litigation,
and intellectual property.
Brad has authored articles in numerous publications and spoken on topics ranging from
copyright infringement to litigation positioning. He brought his substantial and multi-faceted legal background to Drivers Legal Plan in 2008 where his legal practice has focused
on transportation law, specifically the representation of CDL drivers in courts across the
country. With the advent of CSA, Brad’s legal practice has grown to include representation
of drivers and carriers with the FMCSA through DataQ challenges.
In addition to being an attorney, Brad is a licensed Architect and has served as an Administrative Law Judge. He currently serves as General Counsel to the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers.
Dave Osiecki
American Trucking Associations
David J. Osiecki (Dave) is the Executive Vice President at the American Trucking Associations,
based in Arlington, VA.
Prior to his promotion as Executive Vice President, Dave was the Senior Vice President for
Policy & Regulatory Affairs, where he was responsible for overseeing ATA’s policy development on a host of trucking issues, including fuel/energy issues, environmental requirements,
labor, safety and security rules, as well as truck size & weight limits.
Prior to that position, Dave served as the Vice President of Safety for ATA and, before that,
Executive Director of the ATA Intermodal Conference.
Dave came to the ATA in 1996 with almost ten years of motor carrier safety experience with
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Motor Carriers (OMC). At DOT, he held several different positions involving compliance & enforcement functions, as well as program,
policy, and regulation development.
14
Judges
Martin Garsee
Director of Transportation Training - Houston Community College
Former President - National Association Of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools
Martin is Program Director of Transportation Training at Houston Community College and
has been involved in transportation training for over 22 years. The Houston Community College has had a truck driving training program for 18 years. The HCC open enrollment seven
week course was recertified by PTDI in 2010 for five years, this is the third recertification.
They have trained students for many major companies to become entry level drivers and
continue to service the industry.
Martin recently served as the President of NAPFTDS and has served on the board for nine
years. He is past chairman of the board of Harvest Christian Academy. He is an active member of Texas Motor Transportation Association at the state and local level, and the Gulf Coast
Fleet Maintenance Council. He holds a BAAS degree from Midwestern State University and
a Master in Public Administration from Midwestern State University.
Rob Behnke
Department Chair and faculty member of
Fox Valley Technical College, Truck Driving Programs
Rob Behnke is Department Chair and faculty member of Fox Valley Technical College, Truck
Driving Programs, Appleton, Wisconsin.
Rob has been a part of the trucking industry for over 25 years. During the first 10 years he
drove for both local and regional carriers. For the past 16 years Rob has been teaching and
advising as a department chair at Fox Valley Technical College.
He has also been a Wisconsin certified CDL third party examiner for 11 years of his career
and is a member of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers for 15 years.
Not only has Rob been a past board member and commissioner for PTDI, he has led many
of Fox Valley Technical College’s program PTDI certifications since 1995. He was president of
NAPFTDS in 2013-2014. He has been named Program Advisor of the year and has received
the Leadership Award through the Wisconsin’s Technical College System.
Rob said his most rewarding moments are learning of his student’s success stories accomplished through their truck driver education. His degree is specific to adult education with
an emphasis in transportation.
Rob lives near Appleton, Wisconsin with his wife of 26 years, a son and two daughters.
15
Judges
Rich Clemente
Transportation Specialist, FMCSA
Rich Clemente has over 26 years experience in Safety in the transportation industry. Rich
is a Transportation Specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and has now been with the Agency for 9 years. Rich works in
the Driver and Carrier Operations Division and in that position is responsible for assisting in
the development of Federal rulemaking initiatives, interpretations and clarifications of the
Agency’s regulations and policies. Rich previously was the Director of Safety for the Truckload Carriers Association, and also served as the Program Director for the Professional Truck
Driver Institute. In addition, he served as the Director of Safety for the National Automobile
Transporters Association in Detroit, Michigan, and began his career in transportation with
the American Trucking Associations as a Safety Engineer. He currently resides in Odenton,
Maryland with his wife Marcy and two children, Ben and Rachel.
16
Program Partners
Truckload Carriers Association
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is the only national trade association whose sole
focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry
van, refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal container and end-dump carriers operating in the 48
contiguous states as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has for the last 78 years dedicated itself to
representing the interests of truckload carriers. TCA is proud to be a member-driven
organization, providing benefits and services to our members regardless of size.
The American Trucking Associations
The American Trucking Associations is the “Voice of the Industry that Moves America’s
Freight.”
Their mission is to serve and represent the interests of the trucking industry with one united
voice; to influence in a positive manner Federal and State governmental actions; to advance
the trucking industry’s image, efficiency, competitiveness, and profitability; to provide
educational programs and industry research; to promote safety and security on our nation’s
highways and among our drivers; and to strive for a healthy business environment.
Commercial Vehicle Training Association
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association, Inc. (“CVTA”) is the national trade association
representing the proprietary truck driving schools in the United States and Canada. CVTA
members, as a condition of membership, must agree to abide in the CVTA Code of Conduct.
This Code was designed to ensure that students enrolled in member schools are provided
with the highest quality driver training.
At present, CVTA has 39 Regular Member Schools that operate approximately 200 training
sites around the United States. These sites graduate approximately 56,000 new entry-level
drivers per year.
The Association is also a member of the Truckload Carriers Association. Individual members
of CVTA have assisted the Professional Truck Driver Institute in developing its curriculum
standards as well as the standards for its Driver Finishing Program and the Younger Driver
Initiative.
CVTA maintains a permanent headquarters in the Washington, DC area to permit its Members
to have proactive representation on issues that affect them in the legislative, regulatory and
trucking industry arenas.
17
Program Partners
Professional Truck Driver Institute
Since 1986, the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) has been working with the carriers,
truck driver training schools, insurance industry, and government to make safety a #1
priority in the trucking industry. PTDI is the first nonprofit organization to develop uniform
skill performance, curriculum, and certification standards for the trucking industry and to
award course certification to entry-level truck driver training courses and motor carrier
driver-finishing programs. Our goals are to advance truck driver training, proficiency, and
professionalism and to put quality drivers on the roads. PTDI streamlined the certification
process to help carriers and schools obtain national recognition that their programs meet
these standards.
NAPFTDS
The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) is an
organization for the promotion of public education for the transportation industry. Through
membership, educators can network with other schools across the country to provide the
highest quality, most cost-effective, and most up-to-date training available.
Representing the nation’s best community and technical colleges, the NAPFTDS is divided
into seven regions. Their member schools graduate approximately 17,000 entry-level drivers
annually.
Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to making
life better for professional drivers. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has
more than 650 retail locations, 52 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers (Wingfoot)
and 44 Boss Shops, all of which accept MyRewards cards for Pilot Flying J’s loyalty program.
The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 70,000 parking spaces
for trucks, 4,800 showers and more than 4,400 diesel lanes offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest
Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.
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Program Partners
Red Eye Radio Network
The Red Eye Radio Network is the country’s national clearinghouse of information, thoughts
and opinions of the American Truck Driver. They have a proud history, as the longest running
nationally syndicated radio program focused on the needs of the trucking industry in the
United States today.
For 40 years the show has kept a key focus: to be part of the fabric of the trucking industry.
Katie Award Winning hosts Eric Harley and Gary McNamara engage their millions of listeners
and callers with the major issues of the day including current events, legislation, popular
culture, family issues, trucking news and information, detailed national weather forecasts,
safety tips and interviews with trucking industry leaders.
Whether professional truck drivers are behind the wheel or just can’t sleep, they are never
alone Midnight to 5 a.m. (Central) when they’ve got The Red Eye Radio Network to keep
them alert and entertained.
Progressive
According to Highline Data’s 2009 written premium data, Progressive is the #1 truck insurer
in America. With more than 40 years of experience, fleets, owner operators and professional
drivers can trust Progressive to protect their commercial vehicles.
Progressive is the nation’s fourth-largest commercial vehicle insurance company and they
have an A+ rating from A.M. Best. They offer customized insurance policies, flexible payment
options, 24/7 claims service and discounts for qualified drivers.
Progressive offers complete coverage options for most commercial vehicles including,
Liability, Bodily Injury, Property Damage, Medical Payment, Physical Damage, Uninsured
Motorist, and Non-Owned Vehicle insurance.
RoadPro Brands
The RoadPro Family of Brands offer a variety of product solutions that deliver all the
convenience, safety and comfort truckers are looking for when traveling. These products
range from rugged apparel to durable appliances and accessories, all designed to enhance
the mobile lifestyle.
A supplier of travel-related and general merchandise, including BlackCanyon Outifiiters, K40
Antennas & Accessories, MobileSpec, RoadPro and PowerDrive brands, they are recognized
at retail outlets and travel centers throughout the United States.
RoadPro Family of Brands is a division of DAS, Inc., a manufacturer, importer and distributor
serving mobile electronics retailers, convenience stores, travel centers and outdoor products
retailers since 1980.
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Program Partners
Rand McNally
Rand McNally specializes in maps, navigation, road travel, and trip planning. Founded
in 1856, the company provides products and services for consumers, the trucking and
commercial transportation market, and educators. Rand McNally’s products and services for
trucking and transportation include IntelliRoute® truck routing software, TND™ GPS devices,
e-log and fleet management solutions, and the best-selling Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas.
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