FedEx To Send Record 69 Drivers To National Truck Driving Championships
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--July 18, 2005--A record 69 drivers from 35 states representing FedEx Corp. operating companies will compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Tampa Aug. 16, 2005-20. Each driver earned the right to compete in the NTDC by capturing first-place honors in state-level truck driving championships. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the NTDC, designed to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers.In addition to sending a record number of drivers to the national safety skill competition - shattering its previous mark of 62 set last year - FedEx is also defending the National Grand Champion title once again. In 2004, a FedEx Freight driver captured this coveted honor for the second straight year. In addition, six drivers from FedEx operating companies finished in the top three in their respective vehicle classes.
"Sending 69 drivers from one organization to the NTDC is an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects our collective ongoing commitment to the safety of our driving force and the motoring public," said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. "This group of competitors epitomizes the superior level of professionalism and dedication that our 76,000-plus drivers, couriers and contractors bring to every delivery, every day."
The FedEx drivers will compete against nearly 400 others for national titles in eight different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The drivers accumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, personal interview, pre-trip inspection and field test.
In addition to industry-wide recognition, FedEx drivers who compete in and win at the national championships are eligible for a variety of awards through the FedEx Corp. safe driving initiative, The Chairman's Challenge. This program provides the corporation with an opportunity to further reward drivers for their commitment to safety.
The 2005 FedEx National Truck Driving Championship team: Driver State Domicile Special Awards --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-Axle Class Roland Bolduc CT Windsor Locks Grand Champion Tommy Boyanton MS Jackson Carl Chewning WA Spokane Eric Courville LA Lafayette Grand Champion Rodney Denton GA Atlanta Grand Champion Ryan Kelley IA Mason City Grand Champion Michael Kumm CO Colorado Springs Bob Lee UT Salt Lake City Joe Mangiaracino MO St. Clair Jimmy O'Neill NE Omaha Todd Sobol CA Eureka 4-Axle Class Joe Bertini NH Belmont Ted Carlson OR Portland Jimmy Franklin ME Falmouth Jacky Henry MS Grenada Rob Janke MN Minneapolis Steve Thordarson ND Fargo Brian Walton CO Denver 5-Axle Class Mike Clark OK Tulsa Robert Gaudette NH Londonderry Frank Logan AZ Phoenix Chris Novak VT Williston Michael Underwood WV Parkersburg Gragg Wilson NV Reno Grand Champion Mike Worsham AL Huntsville 5-Axle Sleeper Class Peter Allen NH Londonderry Randy Anton ND Bismarck Scott Brown OH Toledo Jim Butler MT Billings William McIlvane CT Hartford Flatbed Class Wayne Crowder KY Louisville Grand Champion John Johnston LA Baton Rouge Tom Jordan MI Detroit Gene Lance NM Albuquerque Julian Miranda MN Willmar Paul Robichaud NH Londonderry Jay Vankampen IL Chicago Straight Truck Class Carroll Bean VT Burlington Travis Boardman DE Bridgeville Brad Butler MT Billings Rookie of the Year Tony Canale OH Columbus Rony Duran CA Lancaster Brent Glasenapp WI Milwaukee Chuck Jensen UT Salt Lake City Stephen Laubach MN Minneapolis Don Nehring TN Memphis Buddy Prescott VA Fredericksburg Rookie of the Year Doug Rickel AK Anchorage Karen Tierney WV Morgantown Charlie Woodland AZ Phoenix Tank Truck Class Elmer Branzovsky NE Omaha Milton Hebert LA Lafayette Brad Mertz KY Louisville Greg Nordin MN Minneapolis Chuck Russell MT Billings Tommy Winston SC Greenville/Spartanburg Twins Class Gary Apter ID Boise Reese Butler MT Billings Highest Score John Janousek ND Fargo Bob Kierstead ME Portland Grand Champion Darrell Kimbrell AL Birmingham Jerry Lambert OR Portland Grand Champion Chris Mahony UT Salt Lake City Andy Oder KY Louisville Tom Oyler NM Albuquerque Thomas Prettyman AZ Tempe Galen Sonnek MN St. Paul Duane Staveness WI Mauston Omar Talavera NV Las Vegas
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $29 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 250,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.
