Road Team at Capitol Day At the January 23, 2014, Road Team
Recognition and Selection Dinner, we honored those members of the Road Team who have done so much over the years. Specifically, we recognized the contributions of seven Road Team members who have promoted out of an active driving position, which means they are now Road Team alumni:
Avi Figueroa, Jr. – Publix Super Markets Robert Foskey – UPS Freight Eddie Pennington – FedEx Freight Greg Sams – FedEx Freight Mark Shallar – FedEx Ground Frank Silio – Publix Super Markets Kenny Simmons – Wilson Trucking Corporation
We also added to the Road Team ranks
by announcing those chosen during the rigorous Road Team Selection Panels. Meet the newest members of the Florida Road Team:
Jorge Acosta – FedEx Freight Eric Blandford – UPS Freight Tommy Forrest – FedEx Freight Charlie Fuller, Jr. – FedEx Freight Ricky Gonsales – FedEx Freight Larry Kammeyer – Walmart Private Fleet
The Road Team’s work is incredible and
so important to safety on Florida’s roadways. Chairman Doc Hyder took the time to thank the sponsor companies who always give so much time, manpower and resources to this cause. Without them, we couldn’t do this at all. Thank you. FTN
Florida Road Team: Changing Lives, One Event at a Time As I was standing in front of the No-Zone safety demonstration, a driver came up to
me and asked what all was going on. I explained we were thanking the Professional Drivers for all they do every day. He very quickly wanted to talk about the new regulations affecting us all. I told him, “Today is all about the drivers and everything they do. For it doesn’t matter
whether we are an owner-operator or company driver we all have the same goal to achieve each day, that is to pick up and deliver freight safely. Today we are celebrating everything you do to make sure that happens.” He went on to tell me that he was a supervisor at a Walmart Distribution center for
15 years. He wanted to see what it would be like to be a truck driver. “Some days are better than others,” he said. It’s not what he had expected. I told him I have been in the trucking industry for over 30 years and have been
blessed by it for I was able to put three children through college. “You also have been blessed by the industry,” I assured him. “Everything that America
eats, wears, and uses is delivered by trucks. You are an important part of that. You are a professional. Be proud of who you are, and take pride in what you do. For the safety of those you share the highway with is your responsibility. They know you are a professional driver by what you do. Whether it’s a parent trying to teach their children the importance of wearing a safety belt, or the dangers of texting and driving, all eyes are on us.” He then shook my hand and said, “Eddie, thank you for being here today with this
event and changing my attitude towards the trucking industry. I came here with a negative attitude but you, with this event, have opened my eyes to all that I need to be thankful for. I’m really glad I had to lay over here today.” He later came up to me again and said thank you for talking with him. This event,
part of the “Share the Road” program, is another example of how lives can be changed one at a time. Make Safety a Priority, Eddie Weeks
Editor’s note: The first time we printed this story there were errors. We happily reprinted this to make sure the true spirit of the story comes across.
Florida Truck News Q1 WINTER 2014 23
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