Two drivers representing FedEx were crowned National Champion in their respective driving classes at the 2007 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Minneapolis Aug. 22-25.
- Scott Watts, a nine-year safe driver for FedEx Express based in Anchorage, Alaska, captured the National Champion title in the Straight Truck class. Scott has earned three Alaska state titles in four years.
- John Smith, a FedEx Ground contractor domiciled in Tupelo, Miss., earned the National Champion title in the Flatbed class. He has been a professional driver for 15 years and has driven more than 1.5 million miles without an accident.
Six other FedEx drivers placed among the top finishers in their respective truck classes:
- FedEx Freight driver Brian Walton, a 29-year professional driver, finished second in the Flatbed class. Brian has earned four Colorado state titles in five years.
- Brooks Washburn, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Albuquerque who has racked up more than 2.4 million safe-driving miles, was second in the 5-Axle class.
- Greenville, S.C. FedEx Freight driver Tommy Winston took second place in the Tank Truck class. A two-million-mile safe driver, Tommy finished third in the same class at the NTDC in 2005.
- Bill Anthony, an 11-year safe driver for FedEx Express domiciled in East Boston, Mass., finished third in the 5-Axle Sleeper class.
- FedEx Ground contractor Gary Martin took third place in the Twins class. Based in Sacramento, Gary has accumulated more than three million safe-driving miles during his 26-year career.
- Randy Reed, a FedEx Express driver in Tulsa, Okla., was third in the 3-Axle class. He is a 24-year professional driving veteran who has never had an accident.
In addition, two other FedEx state champions received awards:
- Jason Matte, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Jackson, Miss., was named National Rookie of the Year for achieving the highest average score among the 32 first-year competitors at the event.
- Paul Robichaud, a FedEx Express driver domiciled in Londonderry, N.H., won the Vehicle Condition Award for earning the highest score in the Pre-Trip Inspection competition.
“FedEx team members are among the finest in the industry, and the performance of all of our state champions at the NTDC confirms this statement, said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. The accomplishments of our eight top finishers further demonstrate our driving teams collective commitment to making the roads safer for everyone.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the annual championships, known as the “Super Bowl of Safety, to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers. A record 78 professional drivers from 38 states, representing FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx Global Supply Chain Services, qualified to compete at the national event by winning their respective state’s competition and driving accident-free for at least one year. Each driver was required to demonstrate his or her driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a series of tests, including a written exam, personal interview, vehicle pre-trip inspection and a driving-skills challenge.
In addition, FedEx had four champions in the Step Van class, which was tested as an additional competition category in select states this year.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $35 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.van.fedex.com.