Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024:
ATA names newest Road Team Captains
ATA named 24 drivers to its 2024-2025 America's Road Team.ATA
The drivers will serve as trucking industry ambassadors, traveling the country to spread the message of safe driving, while teaching about the trucking industry and its opportunities.
“This elite group of professionals rose to the top of their field through years of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to safety that is measured in millions of miles,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “These exceptional individuals embody an essential segment of the American workforce whose contributions are seen and felt by virtually everyone in this country. As these captains now head over the road with a new mission and a vital message to share, we take extreme pride in their achievements and know that our nation will learn many valuable lessons from them and the example they set for our entire industry.”
Founded in 1986, America’s Road Team is an elite group of professional truck drivers with superior safety records that represents the trucking industry. Captains, with support from their companies, dedicate time each month to attending industry events, speaking at schools or meeting with policymakers on behalf of the trucking industry.
The drivers on this this year’s team hail from 14 different states, represent 14 different motor carriers and have a total of 61.6 million accident-free driving miles.
America’s Road Team is sponsored by Volvo Trucks. The new Captains will tour the country in ATA's Interstate One Image Truck, a Volvo VNL 760, towing an American flag-emblazoned trailer that contains a state-of-the-art truck driving simulator and mobile classroom.
After receiving their signature navy blue America's Road Team blazers, the 2024-2025 Captains will immediately begin their work improving public perception of the trucking industry. Trucking industry professionals can support America's Road Team's mission by following the team's two-year journey on Facebook and Twitter and interacting with the Captains at major industry events, conferences and community visits.
The 2024-2025 America’s Road Team Captains are:
- Ben Atkinson, ABF Freight System Inc., Florida
- Willie Baylor, FedEx Freight, Indiana
- Terry Bennett, ABF Freight System Inc., Florida
- Perry Carter, Cargo Transporters Inc., North Carolina
- Damon Evans, United Parcel Service, California
- Dennis Hall, Tyson Foods Inc., Texas
- David Hedicker, ABF Freight System Inc., Ohio
- Lloyd Howell, TCW, Alabama
- John Lemmons, United Parcel Service, Tennessee
- Rodney McNew, Groendyke Transport Inc., Texas
- Michael Middleton, Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Tennessee
- Peter Palczynski, Walmart Transportation, Illinois
- Emily Plummer, Prime Inc., Missouri
- Wayne Ponschke, United Parcel Service, California
- Scott Post, FedEx Ground – Spartan Logistics, Minnesota
- John Antoine Sadler, Walmart Transportation, North Carolina
- Brian Sheehan, CRST The Transportation Solution Inc., Indiana
- Molly Shultz, TransLand, Missouri
- Anthony Tirone, Walmart Transportation, Florida
- Chevelle Walker, Werner Enterprises, Florida
- Bernard Wanyo, United Parcel Service, Pennsylvania
- Michael Whitehead, FedEx Freight, South Dakota
- James "Gragg" Wilson, United Parcel Service, Nevada
- David Young, FedEx Freight, North Carolina
A. Duie Pyle opens new facility in Maine
A. Duie Pyle on Tuesday announced it opened the doors of a new facility in Bangor, Maine, to further enhance its Northeast network and strengthen its position as a supply chain solutions provider in the region. The opening of this facility marks the company's first expansion in 2024, the year of its centennial anniversary.
Officially located at 335 Industrial Drive, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, the facility will extend access to Pyle’s LTL, warehouse and distribution and dedicated freight capabilities, enhancing its ability to service more customers in the local Maine area.
Upon opening, the facility added 12 new jobs to the local economy, with another nine coming by the end of the year. Pyle previously had one LTL service center located in Portland, Maine, so this expansion allows for more comprehensive, full-service coverage across the state.
"We’re kicking 2024 off with a bang, as this new facility enables us to solidify our industry-leading presence across the Northeast,” said John Luciani, COO of LTL Solutions at A. Duie Pyle. "This strategic addition to our network brings a higher level of LTL, dedicated and warehouse and distribution support to our customers in Central and Northern Maine. This opening is the first of a series coming down the pipeline this year that will further enhance our strong service center network and expand our capabilities to service more customers.”
The facility officially opened its doors and was fully operational as of Jan. 15. Upon opening, this location featured eight drivers, two dockworkers and two managers. When fully staffed before the end of 2024, the center is expected to have 12 drivers, four dockworkers, two fleet technicians and three managers.
H&M Bay names new Director of Operations
LTL frozen and refrigerated logistics provider H&M Bay earlier this month announced the promotion of Kevin McMahan to Director of Operations.
McMahan has been with H&M Bay since 1997 and has held numerous positions in operations throughout his tenure. Starting as a Mid-Atlantic dispatcher and warehouseman, he worked his way up to Warehouse Manager and then Division Manager of H&M Bay’s Florida division. In 2015, he was promoted to Operations Manager, where he served up until his promotion.
“We are grateful to have such committed, hardworking employees at H&M Bay, and Kevin exemplifies this,” said H&M Bay Vice President and Partner Walt Messick III. “Under his leadership, no matter the role, H&M Bay has always seen positive changes and results, and I expect no less in his new assignment.”
NationaLease names new senior VP of operations
Full-service truck leasing company NationaLease announced this week that Jane Clark has been promoted to senior vice president of operations.
In this expanded role, Clark will direct all national account support across NationaLease in addition to her existing responsibilities.
Clark will continue to manage NationaLease’s member services, including reciprocal service, purchasing and meetings. She will remain responsible for strengthening member relationships, reducing member costs, and improving collaboration within NationaLease support groups.
