Con-way Truckload recognizes 2008 Drivers of the Year

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Con-way Truckload, a full-truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., announced the winners of its 2008 Drivers of the Year. The annual awards are the highest honor the company bestows on its professional truck drivers.

Winners were chosen based on exemplary performance, dedication to safety and professional service representing Con-way Truckload. Awardees included both solo and team drivers who previously had been selected as Drivers of the Month during 2008.

“Our Drivers of the Year represent the top of an already elite group of previous award winners,” says Herb Schmidt, president of Con-way Truckload. “Their professionalism and safe driving practices set them apart as great role models who are well-deserving of our company’s highest recognition.”

Con-way Truckload honored the 2008 winners at a recent ceremony, where they received commemorative plaques, wrist watches, custom jackets and cash prizes. They also were recognized with a proclamation by the Missouri House of Representatives, and inducted into the Con-way Truckload Hall of Fame at the company’s headquarters in Joplin, Mo.

The 2008 Con-way Truckload honorees are:

  • Company Driver of the Year: George Cook of Arlington, Texas, joined Con-way Truckload in 1986 and since has driven more than 2.9 million miles. This year marks his third consecutive Driver of the Year win.
  • Company Team of the Year: Alfred and Jennifer Sidwell of Parkersburg, W.Va., became Con-way Truckload drivers in 2007 after more than 20 combined years of professional truck driving.
  • Contractor Driver of the Year: Jon Smith of Joplin – also the 2007 Contractor Driver of the Year – began driving professionally and joined Con-way Truckload in 1984. Since then, he has driven more than three million miles.
  • Contractor Team of the Year: Gary and Nora Bulen of Monkey Island, Okla., became Con-way Truckload drivers in 1991 and 1996, respectively. He has been a professional driver since 1974, while she began her driving career in 1995.