Con-Way Central Express Driver Selected as Finalist for ATA Road Team Membership
10 January 2000
Con-Way Central Express Driver Selected as Finalist for ATA Road Team Membership
ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Jan. 10, 2000--Darren Beard has been selected as one of 36 finalists competing for appointment as a captain to the American Trucking Association's (ATA) America's Road Team. Beard is a driver sales representative for Con-Way Central Express (CCX) in Watertown, SD.Thousands of drivers from across the country annually compete for a place on the prestigious Road Team. The captains are highly visible community outreach and public educators of the trucking industry's efforts in practicing and promoting safety on America's highways. Their responsibilities include making presentations to schools, businesses and civic groups, conducting media events and interviews and meeting with legislators and lobbyists. The Road Team, which was established in 1986, also attends the annual ATA Safety Conference. Captains serve 18-month terms but continue to act as a Road Team member when called upon by the ATA even after their terms expire.
Beard, 29, a Con-Way Central Express employee since June 1995, has logged more than 375,000 accident-free miles. In 1999, Beard took first place, in the twin trailer class, in the South Dakota state driving championship competition. In 1998 he placed third in the same competition.
Prior to joining CCX Beard served in the Army and was stationed in Washington state. While in Washington he was a volunteer for the 1994 Special Olympics in Tacoma, helping to set up facilities for the participants. He combines his love of hockey and his commitment to helping kids by coaching youth hockey and being a mentor.
Beard and wife Jennifer have been married 10 years and are expecting their second child in May.
"Darren is a strong representative of the trucking industry's commitment to safety. He also exemplifies our concern for the well-being of our communities," said Richard V. Palazzo, president and chief executive officer of CCX. "We're very proud to have him as our candidate to the Road Team."
During the competition Beard will participate in round-table discussions about the industry, make a short presentation and participate in mock media interviews. The ATA will complete the evaluation and selection process in late January. Last year, CON-WAY won one spot on the 1999 Road Team.
Con-Way Transportation Services is a $1.8 billion company that provides time-definite and day-definite freight delivery services for commercial and industrial businesses. Within the Con-Way family are regional less-than-truckload carriers Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Southern Express and Con-Way Western Express; Con-Way Truckload Services, providing multi-modal, full truckload shipping; Con-Way NOW, an expedited carrier specializing in emergency shipment service; and Con-Way Integrated Services, a contract supply chain execution service provider.
CON-WAY is a subsidiary of Palo Alto, California based CNF Transportation, Inc., a $5.7 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 www.con-way.com.