TXTA ReCOGNIZES Safety and maintenance leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION—August 1, 2023
TXTA Contact: Kimberly Leggett
kimberly@texastrucking.com
AUSTIN, TX—Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) recognized leaders in safety and professionalism at the Safety and Maintenance Awards Luncheon held July 27 at TXTA’s Annual Conference at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio.
“The men, women and companies recognized at TXTA’s Annual Safety and Maintenance Luncheon are the gold standard in the trucking industry,” said TXTA President and CEO John D. Esparza. “They are a critical piece of the supply chain and ensure trucks are operating safely day after day. We owe them a great bit of gratitude for their commitment to the industry and safety.”
This year’s award recipients are as follows:
TXTA Driver of the Year
Robert Svoboda, Jr., Walmart Transportation
Sponsored by Roberts, Cunningham, & Stripling, LLP
The TXTA Driver of the Year Award is selected from the best truck drivers operating in the state of Texas. After being nominated by their companies, drivers are rated in categories such as number of miles traveled without a chargeable accident, consistency, politeness on the road and tenure. The TXTA Driver of the Year represents TXTA in the American Trucking Associations’ competition for the National Driver of the Year title.
Texas State Truck Driving Championship
The Truck Driving Championships are a project of the TXTA Safety Management Council (SMC), the local Safety Councils and TXTA Fleet Maintenance Council (FMC) that seek to promote safety and professionalism among commercial drivers. Three regional championships and one statewide championship are held in the spring with drivers qualifying for national competition. Drivers are tested on their ability to maneuver and control their vehicles under a number of difficult test situations.
Grand Champion and Twins
Ronald Ramon, HEB
Step Van Class
Zane Harrison, FedEx
Straight Truck
Ricardo Molina, Yellow Freight
3 Axle Van
Olamide Olayiwola, FedEx Freight
4 Axle Van
Edward Camacho, HEB
5 Axle Van
Julio Pineda, Jr., Walmart
Tanker
Charles Ragland, Walmart
Flatbed
Ruben Cortez, HEB
Truckload/Sleeper
Darryl Sparkman, Walmart Transportation
Distinguished Safety Award
Don Baldridge, Gulfmark Energy
Sponsored by Bair Hilty, P.C. and Transafe, Inc.
This award honors an individual that exemplifies dedication to motor fleet safety and demonstrates interest, enthusiasm and leadership in achieving the goals of protecting lives and property in the motor traffic environment.
TXTA Truck Safety Contest Grand Champion
Sponsored by Great West Casualty
Grand Champion
Chalk Mountain Services of Texas
First Place in the Intercity under 2.5 million
BWI Companies, Inc.
First Place in the intercity 2.5-5 million
Dupre Logistics
First Place in the Intercity 5-10 million
Double Diamond Transport, Inc.
First Place in the Intercity over 20 million
Walmart Transportation
First Place in the Local Under 1 million
REDGUARD, LLC
First Place in the Local 1 to 5 million
Clark Freight Lines, Inc.
First Place in the Local 5 to 10 million
Chalk Mountain Services of Texas, LLC
First Place in the Local Over 10 million
FedEx Freight
The Truck Safety Contest Award recognizes fleets of TXTA member companies which developed dignified professional driving performance in the trucking industry. These state winners, judged by the company's lowest overall accident frequency experience rates, are presented trophies and plaques in recognition of their achievement.
2023 Technician of the Year Top 5
Sponsored by Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies
First Place
Michael Kerfoot, Dickinson Fleet Services
Second Place
Corey Tegeler, Old Dominion
Third Place
Rudy Laguna, HEB
Fourth Place
Charles Kerr, FedEx Freight
Fifth Place
Andrew Hardy, Southwest International
The Technician of the Year Contest was initiated in 1982 by TXTA and the Fleet Maintenance Council to recognize the contributions of outstanding mechanics of the heavy vehicle fleet maintenance industry. This contest evaluates the mechanic's knowledge of their trade and ability to utilize that knowledge on basic mechanical problems.
Texas Trucking Association is a trade organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of its members by advocating sound public policies, providing excellence in education, training, and information, and promoting a safe, dependable, and cost-effective motor transportation system to better serve the people of Texas. To learn more, visit www.texastrucking.com.