United States (English)

FedEx to Send a Record 174 Drivers to National Truck Driving Championships

Competitors Reflect FedEx Commitment to Safety and Professionalism


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MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 27, 2016FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX) operating companies will send 174 drivers from each of the 50 states to compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Indianapolis August 9-13. This is the largest number of drivers that FedEx has ever sent to the national competition.

Each FedEx driver earned the right to compete in the NTDC by winning at state-level truck driving championships. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the NTDC, which is designed to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers.

“Our mission statement says that safety will be the first consideration in all our operations.” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO, FedEx Corp. “The accomplishments of these 174 finalists and the almost 2,000 drivers that competed at the state truck driving championship level serve as tremendous examples of the FedEx commitment to safety.”

Here are some facts about the 2016 FedEx NTDC competitors:


  • For the first time, FedEx will be represented by drivers from all 50 states at NTDC.
  • These 174 drivers have more than 3,800 years of professional driving experience and more than 230 million safe driving miles among them.
  • More than 100 FedEx competitors have driven professionally for 20 years or more.
  • At least 100 drivers representing FedEx have accumulated one million or more accident-free miles.
  • 32 FedEx competitors have won five or more state championships.
  • 13 of this year’s Team FedEx drivers have previously won national championships.

At the NTDC, the FedEx drivers will be among nearly 450 competitors who will vie for national titles in nine different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The drivers accumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, pre-trip inspection and driving-skills challenge.

The 2016 FedEx NTDC team includes:

Driver’s Name State Domicile Market Hometown Class
Muku Afusia AK Anchorage Anchorage, AK 3-Axle
Ron Bernier AK Anchorage Anchorage, AK Step Van
Doug Rickel AK Anchorage Anchorage, AK Straight Truck
Ross Garner AL Decatur Hartselle, AL Tank Truck
Darrell Kimbrell AL Birmingham McCalla, AL Twins
Chason Norris AL Montgomery Marbury, AL Step Van
Tim Staples AL Birmingham Pell City, AL Flatbed
Dan Thompson AL Mobile Spanish Fort, AL Straight Truck
Tyler Brown AR Fayetteville Gentry, AR Step Van
Jeff Cochran AR Texarkana Texarkana, TX 4-Axle
Larry Rhein AR Harrison Harrison, AR Twins
Robin Sams AR Texarkana Texarkana, AR 3-Axle
Albert Ochoa AZ Tucson Tuscon, AZ 3-Axle
Andres Orozco AZ Tucson Tucson, AZ 4-Axle
Michael Ortiz AZ Chandler Phoenix, AZ Step Van
Charlie Woodland AZ North Phoenix Surprise, AZ Straight Truck
Eric Damon CA Monterey Salinas, CA Step Van
Eddie Guerrero CA Fresno Fresno, CA Straight Truck
Matthew Allison CO Denver Commerce City, CO Step Van
Rich Merich CO Denver Lochbuie, CO Flatbed
Dave Mogler CO Denver Brighton, CO Twins
Ralph Tibbetts CO Grand Junction Grand Junction, CO 5-Axle
Troy Wright CO Grand Junction Grand Junction, CO 4-Axle
Paul Brandon CT New Haven Oxford, CT Tank Truck
Glen Cooke CT East Hartford Enfield, CT Step Van
John Greene CT New Haven Torrington, CT 5-Axle
Drew Martin CT North Haven West Haven, CT Straight Truck
Cruz Vazquez CT New Haven New Haven, CT 4-Axle
Chris Jenkins DE Salisbury Laurel, DE Step Van
Joe McConkey DE Wilmington Colora, MD 5-Axle
Billy Tuell DE Wilmington Elkton, MD Twins
Brian Cobb FL Ocala Ocala, FL Step Van
Denny Johnson FL Tampa San Antonio, FL Straight Truck
Eddie Pennington FL Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Flatbed
Jerry Williams GA Valdosta Valdosta, GA Twins
Steve Haskill HI Kailua Kona Waimea, HI Step Van
Chad Olson HI Honolulu Mililani, HI Straight Truck
Allen Sohn IA Des Moines Des Moines, IA 4-Axle
Scott Beal ID Boise Kuna, ID Twins
Randy Schwasinger ID Boise Boise, ID Step Van
Alan Stacy ID Boise Boise, ID Straight Truck
Tim Banasiak IL Peru Peru, IL 5-Axle Sleeper
Ritch Fundell IL Peru Tonica, IL 4-Axle
Scott Hepner IL Chicago Bartlett, IL Tank Truck
Jimmy Wilson IL Effingham Effingham, IL Step Van
Bruce Schwering IN Indianapolis St. Paul, IN 5-Axle
Tim Helus KS Wichita Buhler, KS Twins
Richie Johnson KS Kansas City Olathe, KS Step Van
Don Logan KS Topeka Eskridge, KS Flatbed
Doug Adams KY Hebron Hebron, KY 3-Axle
Jesse Benkert KY Louisville Louisville, KY Straight Truck
Mark Campbell KY Hebron Milford, OH Tank Truck
John Willinger KY Louisville Louisville, KY 4-Axle
Joey Brown LA Baton Rouge Zachary, LA 3-Axle
Eric Courville LA Lafayette Breaux Bridge, LA 5-Axle Sleeper
Cheramie Courville-Finnan LA Lafayette Breaux Bridge, LA Step Van
Mark Judson LA Lafayette Maurice, LA Twins
Corey Mitchell LA Shreveport Shreveport, LA Straight Truck
Kyle Mitchell LA Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA Tank Truck
Xavier Theriot LA Shreveport Shreveport, LA 4-Axle
Roland Bolduc MA Windsor, CT Longmeadow, MA 5-Axle Sleeper
Bill Colantuone MA Raynham Norton, MA Straight Truck
Bob Ledoux MA Raynham Swansea, MA Step Van
T.D. Dawson MD Crofton Glen Burnie, MD Step Van
Chester Masser MD Hagerstown Hagerstown, MD Flatbed
Scott Wickstrom ME Bangor Bangor, ME Step Van
Dan Badalamente MI Warren Clinton Township, MI Flatbed
Rick Bailey MI Warren Macomb, MI Straight Truck
John Clouser MI Fremont Concord, MI 3-Axle
Ron Metternick MI Grand Rapids Lowell, MI 4-Axle
Reggie Copeland MN Minneapolis / St. Paul Brooklyn Park, MN 3-Axle
Rob Janke MN Minneapolis / St. Paul Blaine, MN 4-Axle
Steve Orr MN Roseville Minnetonka, MN Step Van
Bill Pudney MN Roseville Minneapolis, MN Straight Truck
Jason Budd MO Springfield Nixa, MO Twins
Steve Campbell MO Joplin Webb City, MO Step Van
Jim Houghton MO Kansas City Gower, MO Straight Truck
Gary Cumberland MS Jackson Flora, MS 4-Axle
Bobby Lane MS Jackson Clinton, MS 3-Axle
James McNeill MS Northeast Memphis Olive Branch, MS Twins
Don Smith MS Tupelo Tupelo, MS Step Van
John Smith, Jr. MS Tupelo Mooreville, MS Tank Truck
Tracey James MT Helena Helena, WA Step Van
Tom Miller MT Billings Billings, MT Twins
Russ Smith MT Missoula Alberton, MT 3-Axle
Rich Wayman MT Billings Billings, MT Straight Truck
Gus Kern NC Concord Mooresville, NC Step Van
Harry Leonard NC Greensboro Winston-Salem, NC Straight Truck
Chris Spurlin NC Asheville Fletcher, NC 5-Axle Sleeper
Rick Hartleib ND Minot Minot, ND Straight Truck
Rob Nygaard ND Fargo/Moorhead Fargo, ND 4-Axle
Dan Nygord ND Grand Forks Grand Forks, ND Step Van
Chris Scholand ND Fargo/Moorhead West Fargo, ND 5-Axle
Toby Kort NE Aurora Aurora, NE 5-Axle
Adam Stroup NE Omaha Council Bluffs, IA Step Van
Robert Fair NH Belmont Sanbornton, NH 4-Axle
Paul McNutt NH Londonderry Nashua, NH Straight Truck
Charles Putnam NH Londonderry Manchester, NH Step Van
Norman Sullivan NH Londonderry Londonderry, NH Flatbed
Les Beben NJ South Brunswick Parlin, NJ 4-Axle
Jorge Cardoza NJ Newark Elizabeth, NJ Straight Truck
Carlos Chavarriaga NJ South Newark Elizabeth, NJ Tank Truck
Omar Gonzalez NJ Cinnaminson Pennsauken, NJ 5-Axle
Artur Lesniowski NJ Moonachie Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Flatbed
Elvin Ortiz NJ Moonachie Dumont, NJ Step Van
Joe White NJ Newark Keansburg, NJ Twins
Dan Bruch NM Albuquerque Alburquerque, NM 5-Axle
Isac Chavolla NM Albuquerque Tijeras, NM Step Van
Dion Saiz NM Albuquerque Alburquerque, NM 3-Axle
Ray Sandoval NM Albuquerque Alburquerque, NM Twins
Chris Shaw NM Albuquerque Alburquerque, NM Straight Truck
Greg Combs NV Las Vegas North Las Vegas, NV Step Van
Bob Fini NV Las Vegas Henderson, NV Straight Truck
Matt Hart NV Elko Elko, NV 3-Axle
Patrick Nerger NV Reno Sparks, NV 5-Axle
Craig Poupeney NV Reno Fernley, NV Flatbed
Jeff Evans NY Syracuse Pennellville, NY Step Van
Jim Kohr NY Rochester North Chili, NY 5-Axle
David Watson NY Newburgh Glen Spey, NY Tank Truck
Brett Brunkenhoefer OH Youngstown Youngstown, OH 3-Axle
Bryan Elges OH Youngstown Ashland, OH 5-Axle Sleeper
Andrew Tuck OH Dayton Xenia, OH Straight Truck
Scott Woodrome OH Dayton Middletown, OH Flatbed
Curtis Harpole OK Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, OK Step Van
Larry Kendall OK Tulsa Tulsa, OK 5-Axle
Roscoe Purvis OK Oklahoma City Jones, OK Tank Truck
Randy Crafts OR Medford Central Point, OR Tank Truck
Curt Davis OR Portland Gresham, OR 3-Axle
Lalo Fernandez OR Portland Battle Ground, WA 5-Axle Sleeper
Brad Lester OR Portland Happy Valley, OR Flatbed
Chris Outen OR Portland Vancouver, WA Straight Truck
Ryan Schmutzer OR Portland Beaverton, OR Step Van
Dave Siemer OR Medford Grants Pass, OR Twins
Sal Vincelli PA Allentown Bethlehem, PA Step Van
Rob Burdett RI Providence North Attleborough, MA Twins
David Lumpkin RI Warwick Hopkinton, RI Straight Truck
Karen Tierney RI Warwick Blackstone, MA 3-Axle
Keith Towne RI Warwick Charlestown, RI Step Van
Eddie Days SC Hilton Head Island Bluffton, SC Step Van
Ray Shelton SC Greenville / Spartanburg Simpsonville, SC Flatbed
Steve Ward SC Greer Woodruff, SC 4-Axle
Rachel Bothwell SD Rapid City Rapid City, SD 4-Axle
Marty Kraft SD Rapid City Rapid City, SD Tank Truck
Jay Love SD Sioux Falls Davis, SD Flatbed
Jason Skotvold SD Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD 3-Axle
Virgil Thiewes SD Watertown Goodwin, SD Straight Truck
Mke Whitehead SD Sioux Falls Lennox, SD 5-Axle Sleeper
Jeff Barton TN Nashville Mount Juliet, TN 5-Axle Sleeper
James Sheehan TN Nashville Hendersonville, TN Step Van
Jamie Sowder TN Jackson Toone, TN Flatbed
Jeff Stinson TN Kingsport Blountville, TN Tank Truck
Ignacio Rodriguez TX Spring Houston, TX Step Van
Manny Trevino TX Harlingen San Benito, TX Twins
Lonnie Christensen UT Hurricane Toquerville, UT Straight Truck
Steven Clark UT Salt Lake City Bountiful, UT 3-Axle
Mike Kelly UT Salt Lake City Draper, UT Twins
Shawn Marshall UT Provo American Fork, UT Step Van
Glenn Springer UT Salt Lake City Lehi, UT 4-Axle
Daniel Woods VA Christiansburg Shawsville, VA Step Van
Jason Caron VT Bellows Falls Bellows Falls, VT 4-Axle
Jeremiah Jarvis VT Montpelier Chelsea, VT Twins
Chuck Killian VT St. Johnsbury Passumpsic, VT Straight Truck
Christopher Novak VT Williston Williston, VT 5-Axle
Chris Hemming WA Tacoma Tacoma, WA Straight Truck
Cedric Pack WA Seattle Puyallup, WA 3-Axle
Darrell Shelton WA Pasco Richland, WA 4-Axle
Vic Skoglund WA Everett Monroe, WA Tank Truck
John White WA Seattle Duvall, WA 5-Axle Sleeper
Brent Glasenapp WI Milwaukee Franklin, WI Straight Truck
Jamey Priddy WV Charleston Charleston, WV Twins
Franklin Vance WV Charleston Chapmanville, WV Step Van
Derek Gorrell WY Rock Springs Fort Bridger, WY Straight Truck
Al MacDonald WY Casper Powell, WY Step Van
Chris Prior WY Wamsutter Greeley, CO Flatbed


In 2015, 151 driving professionals from 48 states representing FedEx Express, FedEx Freight and FedEx Ground qualified to compete at the NTDC by winning their respective state’s competition and driving accident-free for at least one year. Five drivers representing FedEx captured National Champion titles. In addition, a FedEx Freight driver was named National Rookie of the Year and nine other FedEx drivers earned top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes. With 40 National Champion, three National Grand Champion and five Rookie of the Year titles in the past 13 years, Team FedEx has established a reputation for excellence at the NTDC.