11 Drivers From CON-WAY LTL Components Honored at 'Super Bowl' of Trucking in Minneapolis
11 Drivers From CON-WAY LTL Components Honored at 'Super Bowl' of Trucking in Minneapolis
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 29 Eleven drivers from Con-Way Transportation Services (CON-WAY), which includes a national network of three less-than-truckload (LTL) regional trucking companies, captured top-ten honors this past weekend at the National Truck Driving Championships held in Minneapolis, MN. Each of CON-WAY's three regional LTL companies had a top-ten finisher in the competition. This year the company sent 60 driver sales representatives to the truck driving championships. This was more drivers than any single company had ever sent to the national competition. Each CON-WAY competitor qualified to compete in Minneapolis by being a state champion in one of nine equipment classes and by having an unblemished safety record for the past year. As a group they have driven over 70 million miles without an accident. The four-day annual competition brought together over 400 of the nation's top drivers, from small family businesses to the biggest trucking firms in the United States. "All our 60 state champions are to be commended. Each is a master in their profession and among America's best trucking professionals. The CON-WAY organization is very proud of them. It is especially gratifying that each of our three LTL companies had top-10 finishers," said Gerald L. Detter, CON- WAY's president and chief executive officer. Tim Birmingham, of Con-Way Southern Express (CSE) placed second in the Four-Axle class. The Marshville, NC native received a $500 cash award and a plaque. He works at the CSE service center in Charlotte, NC. An experienced driver, Birmingham has logged over 500,000 accident-free miles during his 12- year trucking career and 5 years with CON-WAY. Sam Aker, an 8-year Con-Way Southern Express employee placed third in the Flatbed class and received a plaque and cash award of $250. The Olive Branch, MS native is an 11-year trucking veteran and has driven over 1.1 million miles without an accident. In 1999 he was a state champion in the Flatbed class. He works at the CSE service center in Memphis, TN. CON-WAY picked up the expenses for the 58 men and two women drivers and their guests to attend the four-day event in Minneapolis. The competition had nine categories, based on the type of equipment, and tested driving skills, industry knowledge, equipment, policy, and safety regulation knowledge. The company's other top 10 finishers were: From Con-Way Central Express: Aaron Anliker, Council Bluffs, IA, Fourth place, Flatbed Gary Wilkinson, York, PA, Fourth place, Three-Axle Kevin Parpart, Eagan, MN, Fifth place, Tank Truck Note: Kevin was also recognized as a member of the Minnesota team which received honors as the state team of drivers with the highest average score in the competition. Edward Coulbourn, Bismarck, ND, Ninth place, Straight Truck From Con-Way Southern Express: Aaron Frisby, Little Rock, AR, Fifth place, Twins Danny Fuller, Jonesboro, AR, Tenth place, Tank Truck From Con-Way Western Express: Kenneth Jensen, Jr., Bend, OR, Fifth place, Three-Axle Donald Andersen, San Bernadino, CA, Seventh place, Flatbed Tony Vigil, Jr., Albuquerque, NM, Tenth place, Twins The American Trucking Associations has sponsored the National Truck Driving Championships since 1937 to promote safe driving and to recognize the safest and most skilled drivers among the nation's three million professional truck drivers. Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc. is a $2.1 billion transportation and services company that provides time-definite and day-definite freight delivery services, and logistics for commercial and industrial businesses. Within the CON-WAY family are regional less-than-truckload carriers Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Southern Express, Con-Way Western Express and Con-Way Canada Express, Con-Way Mexico Express; Con-Way NOW, an expedited carrier specializing in emergency shipment service; Con-Way Logistics, a contract supply chain execution service provider and Con-Way AIR, an air freight forwarder with service throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. CON-WAY is a subsidiary of Palo Alto, California-based CNF , a $6 billion management company of global supply chain services with businesses in regional trucking, air freight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, global logistics management and trailer manufacturing. Further information about CON-WAY and additional press releases are available via the Internet at http://www.con-way.com
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