The Arkansas Trucking Association is pleased to announce the formation of the Arkansas Road Team, a select group of professional drivers chosen for their commitment to highway safety, communication ability and interest in improving the image of the trucking industry. This complimentary outreach program of the ATA will serve as a public education service to address highway safety and to educate the motoring public on safe driving, especially near large commercial vehicles.
The Arkansas Road Team represents a diverse cross-section of drivers, in terms of background, experience, culture, and geography. Made up of 12 drivers from six different trucking companies, these industry professionals will be available to conduct Share the Road demonstrations, safety best practices and other educational events and promotions.
“The selection panel spent a full day reviewing nominations and interviewing a number of great candidates,” according to David O’Neal, director of safety services for the ATA. “They had a tough job narrowing it down to the best of the best.”
The following exceptional professional drivers were selected to the 2015–2016 Team:
April Coolidge – USA Truck, Van Buren
Danny Fuller – Con-way Freight, Jonesboro
Loren Hatfield – ABF Freight, North Little Rock
Gary Jaworski – Walmart Transportation, Clarksville
Robert Kelley – Walmart Transportation, Searcy
Gary Mars – Walmart Transportation, Bentonville
Tom Miller – USA Truck, Van Buren
Larry Rhein – FedEx Freight, Harrison
Mark Rook – FedEx Freight, Little Rock
Arthur “Otto” Schmeckenbecher – ABF Freight, North Little Rock
Walter J. Stanley – ABF Freight, North Little Rock
Jerry Whittenburg – Stallion Transportation Group, Beebe
Photo: Loren Hatfield (ABF Freight) shown presenting for the selection panel during the Arkansas Road Team interviews
The Road Team was made possible after the Arkansas Highway Commission awarded the association with funds from the Arkansas Commercial Truck Safety and Education Program (ACTSEP) to promote safety on Arkansas roadways. “I’m excited to have such an outstanding group of professional drivers representing our state and industry,” said Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association. “They will be great ambassadors for the men and women who move Arkansas and America forward every day.”
The Arkansas Trucking Association would like to thank the selection panel, who interviewed and judged each candidate’s prepared presentation: Steve Fields, YRC Freight (America’s Road Team Captain); Subrina Ghorashi, American Trucking Associations; Tom Ricciardone, Thinc Marketing Group; Butch Rice, Stallion Transportation Group; Scott Stewart, Distribution Solutions, Inc.; Major Jay Thompson, Arkansas Highway Police; and Shannon Newton, Arkansas Trucking Association
