William G. Gray Jr., a Cumberland, Md.-based road driver for UPS Freight, has been named the American Trucking Associations 2007 National Truck Driver of the Year. The announcement came Friday, Sept. 21, at the ATA Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council’s Fall Conference in Pittsburgh.
Gray — who also will be recognized at the annual ATA Management Conference and Exhibition Oct. 20-23 in Orlando, Fla. — has driven more than 2.7 million accident-free miles in his 28 years on the road. He competed for the national title, considered the highest honor a commercial truck driver can receive, against professionals nominated from state trucking associations.
“The trucking industry is proud to recognize Bill Gray as a professional who works hard every day to deliver what America needs – safely, efficiently and on time,” said Bill Graves, ATA president and chief executive officer. “His dedication to teaching the public safe driving practices and helping his community, as well as his stellar driving record, make Bill a very worthy Driver of the Year.”
Some of the activities that helped Gray earn the National Driver of the Year title include teaching safe driving techniques to teen-agers and senior citizens, working to improve highway safety as a member of the Allegany County of Maryland Safety Coalition, competing at both state and national truck driving championships, and participating in multiple charitable events. In addition to his numerous industry activities, Gray has served as a youth league sports coach, commissioner and volunteer for both softball and basketball.
“Having been the 2005 Maryland State Driver of the Year, Bill definitely established his credentials as a remarkable professional driver,” said Anne Ferro, Maryland Trucking Association president and CEO. “He is a credit to the industry, and we here in Maryland are very proud of him.”
