SAFETY directors were encouraged to get behind the newly launched the National Tank Truck Carriers William A Usher Sr Professional Driver of the Year Award and help make it a success.
“The tank truck industry is the premier side of the trucking industry,” said Dean Kaplan, chief executive officer and executive vice-president of K-Limited Carrier Ltd and NTTC first vice-chairman. “We need to recognize our best drivers.
“The American Trucking Associations has America’s Road Team, a fabulous group of drivers representing the whole trucking industry. Most of the state trucking groups have a driver award. It’s time for NTTC to do this program for our best drivers. The NTTC executive board has overwhelmingly endorsed this program.”
The first group of eight finalists will be selected in the spring of 2014 and one champion driver will be selected at the NTTC’s 66th Annual Conference that takes place April 27-29, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The champion driver’s name will be inscribed on a traveling trophy. NTTC associate member Baldwin & Lyons Inc is the official sponsor of the trophy.
It’s important to get the word out to tank truck carriers drivers and encourage them to enter the competition,” Kaplan said. “We have promotional videos that safety directors can distribute during their fleet safety meetings.”
Dan Furth, NTTC president, added that “this new driver award is an exciting new program that gives NTTC an opportunity to strengthen its brand.”
“This award is aimed at our largest constituency group—the drivers,” he said. “They are the people who generate the revenue for the fleets. We’re going to make sure this new award program is successful.”
Kaplan summed up the need for the award: “We have the best of the best driving for our industry. We should have created this award long ago. This award will gain traction.” ♦
