TXTA RECOGNIZES the 2024 INDUSTRY SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE LEADERS
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION—August 1, 2024
TXTA Contact: Julie Hagen
julie@texastrucking.com
AUSTIN, TX - Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) recognized leaders in safety and professionalism at the Safety and Maintenance Awards Luncheon held August 1 at TXTA’s Annual Conference at the La Cantera Resort and Spa in San Antonio.
“The individuals and organizations honored at TXTA's Annual Safety and Maintenance Luncheon exemplify excellence in the trucking industry,” said TXTA President and CEO, John D. Esparza. “Their dedication to ensuring the safe operation of trucks daily is crucial to maintaining an efficient supply chain. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to both the industry and safety standards."
This year’s award recipients are as follows:
TXTA Driver of the Year
Eddie Camacho, HEB
Sponsored by Tenstreet
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 difficult test situations.
Truck Driving Championship Winners
State Grand Champion: Matthew Logan Montandon, FedEx Ground
Flatbed: Ruben Cortez, HEB
Step Van: Matthew Logan Montandon, FedEx Ground
Sleeper Berth: Juan Carrillo, FedEx Ground
Straight Truck: Clint Anderson, FedEx Express
Tank Truck: Randolph Gamez, HEB
Twin Trailers: Christopher Flippin, FedEx Freight
5-Axle Van: Andres Garcia, FedEx Freight
4-Axle Van: Mario Gonzales, Jr., HEB
3-Axle Van: Olamide Olayiwola, FedEx Freight
Distinguished Safety Award
Alan Riddick, TNT Crane & Rigging
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
Groendyke Transport
First Place in the Intercity under 2.5 million category:
W.M. Dewey & Son, Inc.
First Place in the intercity 2.5-5 million category:
Grammer Logistic
First Place in the Intercity 5-10 million category:
Groendyke Transport
First Place in the Intercity over 20 million category:
Walmart Transportation
First Place in the Local Under 1 million category:
W.M. Dewey & Son, Inc.
First Place in the Local 5 to 10 million category:
Groendyke Transport.
First Place in the Local Over 10 million category:
Chalk Mountain Services of Texas, LLC
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.
2024 Technician of the Year Top 5
Sponsored by Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies and Yokohama Tires Corp.
1st Place:
Corey Tegeler, Old Dominion Freight Lines
2nd Place:
Willie Bean II, Love’s Travel Stops
3rd Place:
Rudy Laguna, HEB
4th Place:
Chris Gerrald, Top Guys Diesel
5th Place:
Brandon McNeill, Old Dominion Freight Lines
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.