A record 78 drivers from 38 states representing the FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) operating companies will compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Minneapolis Aug. 22-25.
Each FedEx 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.
The fact that each of the 1,300 FedEx drivers, couriers and contractors who competed in their respective state championships in 2007 has driven accident-free for at least one year is a testament to the exceptional commitment to safety that our entire driving force displays every single day, said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. The accomplishments of our 78 state champions truly epitomize the superior professionalism and dedication found throughout the FedEx organization.
The FedEx state champions, who have nearly 1,500 years of professional driving experience among them, have safely driven more than 92 million miles collectively during their careers " enough to circle the globe almost 3,700 times. Thirty-six of the FedEx competitors have driven for 20 years or more, and 36 of them have each accumulated at least one million miles of safe driving.
At the NTDC, 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.
The 2007 FedEx National Truck Driving Championships team includes:
| Driver | State | Domicile | Special Awards |
| 3-Axle Class | |||
| Paul Butkowski | MN | St. Cloud | |
| Tim Cohen | CT | Hartford | |
| David Fountain | VT | Williston |
Grand Champion; Highest Written Exam |
| Jimmy O'Neill | NE | Omaha | |
| Randy Reed | OK | Tulsa | |
| Robbie Roth | MO | Columbia | |
| Jeff Thompson | KS | Kansas City | Grand Champion |
| 4-Axle Class | |||
| Dan Bruch |
NM |
Albuquerque | Grand Champion |
| John Bryant | NV | Las Vegas | Grand Champion; Highest Driving Course Score |
| Jerry Keaton | FL | Jacksonville | Rookie of the Year |
| Steve McBride | MO | Cape Girardeau | |
| Scott Parks | WI | Milwaukee | |
| A.J. Phillips | DE | Newark | |
| Ray Ramsey | CT | Hartford | |
| Travis Warner | ID | Boise | |
| Todd Watson | LA | Baton Rouge | |
| John Willinger | KY | Louisville | |
| Wade Wolfenkoehler | OK | Oklahoma City | |
| Scott Woodrome | OH | Dayton | |
| 5-Axle Class | |||
| Doug Adams | KY | Hebron | |
| Roland Bolduc | CT | Windsor Locks | |
| Wade King | OK | Oklahoma City | |
| Jason Matte | MS | Jackson | Rookie of the Year |
| Christopher Novak | VT | Williston | |
| Joe Peterson | DE | Philadelphia | Rookie of the Year |
| Craig Poupeney | NV | Reno | |
| Luis Ramirez | FL | Hollywood | |
| Charlie Septer | AL | Mobile | |
| Larry Steffensen | MN | Minneapolis | Grand Champion |
| Brooks Washburn | NM | Albuquerque | |
| Mike Whitehead | SD | Sioux Falls | |
| 5-Axle Sleeper Class | |||
| Bill Anthony | MA | East Boston | |
| Lester Beben | NJ | South Brunswick | |
| Ray Paquette | CT | Hartford | |
| Hal Staley | NM | El Paso, Texas | |
| Chad Tanner | WV | Clarksburg | |
| Flatbed Class | |||
| Scott Ambler | UT | Salt Lake City | |
| Brad Mertz | KY | Louisville | |
| John Smith | MS | Tupelo | |
| Brian Walton | CO | Denver | |
| Gragg Wilson | NV | Reno | |
| Straight Truck Class | |||
| Greg Baun | CA | Irvine | Rookie of the Year |
| Andy Bryant | TN | Kingsport | |
| Ron Desorcy | RI | Providence | |
| Dean Eklund | ND | Fargo | Highest Driving Course Score |
| Jim Fisher | MI | Toledo, Ohio | |
| Guy Frederickson | WI | Oshkosh | |
| Janet Hoard | KY | Louisville | Rookie of the Year |
| Randy Johnson | NV | Las Vegas | |
| Greg Logsdon | AR | Little Rock | Best Pre-Trip Inspection |
| Tom Miller | MT | Billings | |
| Bill Pudney | MN | Minneapolis | Best Pre-Trip Inspection |
| Paul Robichaud | NH | Londonderry | |
| Karen Roderick | CT | Hartford | |
| Karen Tierney | WV | Morgantown | |
| Scott Watts | AK | Anchorage | Grand Champion |
| Tom Whalen | VT | Williston | |
| Charlie Woodland | AZ | Phoenix | |
| Tank Truck Class | |||
| Elmer Branzovsky | NE | Omaha | Highest Driving Course Score |
| Brent Glasenapp | WI | Milwaukee | |
| Gerald Pugh | WV | Parkersburg | |
| Ray Shelton | TN | Kingsport | |
| Jake Wallenback | NY | Rochester | |
| Tommy Winston | SC | Greenville | |
| Twins Class | |||
| Dave Beaver | MD | Hagerstown | |
| Jim Butler | MT | Billings | |
| Randy Byrd | MS | Jackson | Grand Champion |
| Ross Garner | AL | Decatur | Rookie of the Year |
| James Gelinas | NM | Albuquerque | |
| Mohammed Khan | AZ | Tucson | Grand Champion; Highest Driving Course Score |
| Gary Martin | CA | Sacramento | |
| Cliff McConico | KS | Kansas City | |
| Scott Meyers | ND | Fargo | |
| Hector Novoa | VA | Chantilly | |
| Randy O'Dell | DE | Wilmington | |
| Tim Sweeney | CT | Hartford | |
| Xavier Theriot | LA | Shreveport | |
| Bob Workman | NV | Las Vegas |
In 2006, FedEx Corp. sent 74 state champions and two second-place finishers to compete at the National Truck Driving Championships. FedEx drivers captured the National Champion title in the 3-Axle class and the NTDC Rookie of the Year honor. In addition, FedEx drivers earned five top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.
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 safe driving initiative, The Chairman's Challenge. This program provides the corporation with an opportunity to further reward drivers for their commitment to safety.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $35 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 280,000 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.
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