United States (English)

Six FedEx Drivers Earn Honors at the South Carolina State Truck Driving Championship

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MEMPHIS – April 21, 2008 – Six drivers representing FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) operating companies placed among the winners at the 2008 South Carolina State Truck Driving Championship in Columbia on April 18-19.


  • Chip Taylor, a contractor for FedEx Ground based in Columbia , captured the title in the Straight Truck class.
  • Jerry Avossa, a driver for FedEx Freight domiciled in Greenville , finished second in the Straight Truck class. Avossa is a former captain with the American Trucking Associations’ America ’s Road Team.
  • FedEx Freight driver Matthew Smith, also based in Greenville , was second in the Flatbed class.
  • Steve Ward, a driver for FedEx Express domiciled in Greer, took third place in the 3-Axle class.
  • FedEx Freight drivers Mark Walters ( Florence ) and Tommy Winston ( Greenville ) finished third in the 5-Axle Sleeper and Tank Truck classes, respectively.


In addition, Greenville-based FedEx Freight driver Daryl Thompson earned the Vehicle Condition Award for posting the highest score in the Pre-Trip Inspection portion of the competition.


Taylor will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2008 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), known as the “Super Bowl of Safety” August 20-23 in Houston . In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge.


The South Carolina State Truck Driving Championship is an opportunity for professional truck drivers to demonstrate their driving skills and commitment to safety. The event includes a difficult driving skill test, pre-trip inspection, personal interview and written examination covering vehicle operation and knowledge of federal safety regulations.


In 2007, a record 78 driving professionals 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 Truck Driving Championships by winning their respective state’s competition and driving accident-free for at least one year. FedEx drivers captured National Champion titles in the Flatbed and Straight Truck classes and the NTDC Rookie of the Year honor. In addition, FedEx drivers earned five additional top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.


About FedEx


FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $37 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 290,000 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.fedex.com.