In the 18th 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 during TCA’s recent Annual Convention at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. — 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, Steve Udelhoven
Udelhoven began his 17-year truck-driving career with Art Pape Transfer at the age of 25. A former Marine and dedicated father, Udelhoven places his three children as his top priority in his life. His discipline and attention to detail have served him well in his profession, in which he can boast an unblemished, accident-free driving record. A hard worker, Udelhoven lives on an 80-acre farm in Mt. Hope, Wis., where he spends weekends with his children.
As the Grand Prize Winner, Udelhoven will receive the following prizes:
Second-Place Winner, Eugene Hubbard
Hubbard has acquired an impeccable safety record in his 25-year career, having driven 3.6 million miles with no accidents or violations. He is committed to his profession, customers and community, evidenced by his 30-year service to volunteer fire companies and his active participation in fund raising for his Boy Scout Troop and the Share a Dream organization. Hubbard learned the “ins and outs” of the trucking industry from his parents, who owned a small trucking company until they retired in 1977. It is this experience that instilled in him the importance of establishing excellent relationships with shippers and receivers, treating everyone with respect, and maintaining a record of on-time deliveries and pickups. Hubbard lives in Ripley, N.Y.
Hubard will receive the following prizes:
Third-Place Winner, Bruce Pfeffer
Bruce Pfeffer has spent 20 of his 28 years in the industry with Smithway Motor Xpress, receiving the company’s 1 Million and 2 Million Mile awards for safe driving. As a driver trainer with an outstanding reputation for on-time deliveries, Pfeffer has inspired many new drivers to go on to a tenured, conscientious and safe driving career. His strong work ethic began on his family farm in Iowa and continued as he worked his way through school with determination and a professional attitude. Among his many traits, Pfeffer has a passion for service, leads by example, believes in teamwork and always puts safety first by being mindful of others’ driving habits as well as his own. Pfeffer lives in Wesley, Iowa.
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