TCA Honors 2005 Company Equipment Drivers of the Year

Orlando, FL:

In the 17th Annual “Company Equipment Driver of the Year” contest sponsored by the Truckload Carriers Association, Detroit Diesel and Truckers News, five TCA-member company drivers were honored as the nation’s best. The awards, presented March 14th during TCA’s Annual Convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort, were based on the drivers’ excellent safety records, unblemished work history, and involvement in the community and industry.

The top five winners and their prizes are:

Grand Prize Winner, Dora Colvin

Dora Colvin has been successfully involved in the trucking industry for over 40 years. In 1965 she began wearing boots to reach the five foot, two inch height requirement for Kansas truck drivers. In 1972 she was the first female driver for Stanley Dilley, a produce company, and in 1992 she was the first female driver for Wynne Tank Lines, a chemical hauler. She has pulled dry vans for CFI, along with many female drivers, for the past nine and half years. In her 51 years with a driver’s license she has maintained a perfect safety record without an accident or moving violation in either her personal or commercial vehicle. Dora and her husband Gordon, who is also a driver, live in Udall, Kansas.

As the Grand Prize Winner, Dora will receive the following prizes:

$2,000 U.S. Savings Bond, a personalized jacket and a recognition plaque donated by Truckers News – Randall-Reilly Trucking Media Group
$1,500 Rewards Card donated by Love’s Travel Stops
$1,000 Frequent Fueler Mastercard Debit Card donated by Flying J
$1,000 U.S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
$1,000 cash donated by Mack Trucks, Inc.
$1,000 cash donated by Peterbilt Motors Co.
$750 cash donated by Roadranger – Eaton and Dana Corporation
$500 gift card donated by Pilot Corporation
$500 Amazon.com gift card donated by QUALCOMM
$500 TA gift certificate donated by TravelCenters of America
$200 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
$200 cash donated by DNV Certification
$200 cash donated by Specialty Risk, Inc.
$100 Petro Cash Card and Petro leather duffle donated by Petro Stopping Centers
A Dieselmatic NVT Kit with Cylinder donated by KBI/Kold Ban International
A Purest Air Dryer from Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems
40 TripPak Overnight envelopes donated by TripPak Services, Inc.
A Delphi XM Satellite Radio Roady XT, plus XM Radio satellite service for one year donated by XM Satellite Radio Inc. and Delphi

Second Place Winner, Zimri Zirkle

Zimri Zirkle has had a rewarding career as a professional truck driver spanning more than 40 years and 4 million miles, all of them accident free. For the past 17 years he has worked for Jet Express, Inc. where he makes respect and courtesy his trademark both professionally and personally. Zimri uses his company truck to give safety demonstrations to children and makes time to assist the sick and elderly in his community. He is most proud of his three daughters and eight grandchildren and credits his wife of 45 years, Patricia with being his anchor. Zimri resides in Marion, Indiana.

Mr. Zirkle will receive the following prizes:

$1,000 Frequent Fueler Mastercard Debit Card donated by Flying J
$1,000 U. S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
$1,000 Rewards Card donated by Love’s Travel Stops
$1,000 cash donated by Peterbilt Motors Co.
$1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and recognition plaque donated by Truckers News – Randall-Reilly Trucking Media Group
$700 cash donated by Roadranger – Eaton and Dana Corporation
$350 gift card donated by Pilot Corporation
$350 TA gift certificate donated by TravelCenters of America
$250 cash donated by Mack Trucks, Inc.
$200 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
$200 in cash donated by DNV Certification
$200 cash donated by Specialty Risk, Inc.

Third Place Winner, Fred Howard, Jr.

Fred Howard starts every workday with the intention of completing it safely and for the past 35 years he has done just that. He began driving as a teenager on his grandparent’s farm hauling grain and livestock. After a tour of duty in the Marine Corps, Fred returned to truck driving. For the past 22 years he has been part of the Arnold Transportation Services family. He has seen many changes in the trucking industry and adapted to them all successfully, driving more than 4 million accident free miles along the way. Fred credits his family and God with supporting him and making his successful career possible. He and his wife Ginger live in Albany, Georgia.

Mr. Howard will receive the following prizes:

$1,000 Frequent Fueler Mastercard Debit Card donated by Flying J
$1,000 U. S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
$1,000 cash donated by Peterbilt Motors Co.
$1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and recognition plaque donated by Truckers News – Randall-Reilly Trucking Media Group
$500 Rewards Card donated by Love’s Travel Stops
$500 cash donated by Roadranger – Eaton and Dana Corporation
$350 gift card donated by Pilot Corporation
$350 TA gift certificate donated by TravelCenters of America
$250 cash donated by Mack Trucks, Inc.
$200 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
$200 in cash donated by DNV Certification
$200 cash donated by Specialty Risk, Inc.

Fourth Place Winner, Bret Campbell

Bret Campbell started his professional driving career in 1980 and has loved every minute of it. He is an enthusiastic ambassador of the industry sharing his pride in being an important part of the American economy and mentoring younger drivers. He has driven more than 2 million miles accident free and takes the responsibility that comes with truck driving seriously. Bret appreciates that his career has allowed him to make a good living while having the freedom to travel across the country. He lives in Sedalia, Missouri.

Fifth Place Winner, Kenneth Luther

Kenneth Luther does more than make safety his top priority, he also teaches other drivers about the importance of safety as both a professional truck driver and driver trainer for Sherman Brothers Heavy Trucking. He has been with his company for 10 years and appreciates working in an environment where safety and professionalism are priorities. Kenneth has driven over 3 million miles accident free and enjoys passing his commitment to safety on to new drivers. When not driving he divides his time between his family, his church, and bass fishing. He and his wife, Debra live Nampa, Idaho.

Mr. Campbell and Mr. Luther will receive the following prizes:

$1,000 U.S. Savings Bond donated by Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
$1,000 cash donated by Peterbilt Motors Co.
$1,000 U. S. Savings Bond and a recognition plaque donated by Truckers News – Randall-Reilly Trucking Media Group
$350 gift card donated by Pilot Corporation
$350 TA gift certificate donated by TravelCenters of America
$275 cash donated by Roadranger – Eaton & Dana Corporation
$250 cash donated by Mack Trucks, Inc.
$200 cash donated by ArvinMeritor, Inc.
$200 cash donated by DNV Certification
$200 cash donated by Specialty Risk, Inc.