Arkansas Trucking Association, Inc. Governmental Affairs issued the following announcement on Sept. 2.
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Arkansas Trucking Association announced the 2020 Driver of the Year, Dean Roberts, and 2020 Safety Professional of the Year, Roger Carson. Roberts is a professional driver for Dedicated Logistics, a carrier headquartered in Crossett. Carson is the vice president of safety at Oakley Trucking, Inc. in North Little Rock. Both honors were bestowed at the Safety Awards Luncheon during the ATA Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase in Hot Springs, Ark.
Each year, the Arkansas Trucking Association recognizes one driver for their strong and noteworthy professional qualifications, experience and performance and one safety professional for their qualifications, safety program and safety achievements.
Dean Roberts, the 2020 Driver of the Year, has been a professional truck driver for 38 years, having spent the past nearly 13 years with Dedicated Logistics. Over his career, he has accumulated over 5 million accident-free miles and is a member of his company’s Million Mile Accident-Free Club.
Alan Riels, president and CEO of Dedicated Logistics, praised Roberts for his kindness in addition to his professionalism. “Dean is a caring man and is well-respected by his peers,” Riels said. “He comes from a large family and helped train three of his brothers to drive. Most recently, his nephew joined him in the truck over his summer break. He loves to help others.”
This year’s Safety Professional of the Year, Roger Carson of Oakley Trucking, Inc., is well-known in the Arkansas trucking industry with four decades of experience, including more than 20 years in safety, specifically. Carson’s experience spans from driver to operations, from safety to legal representative.
“Roger has been an active and engaged member of our Safety Management Council for years, even volunteering to support the Arkansas Trucking Championship for more than 13 years,” said ATA President Shannon Newton. “He understands trucking is ever-evolving, and he’s willing to help his company and our industry to adjust to meet the latest demands.”
Most recently, Carson, a NATMI-certified director of safety and accident reconstructionist, led an initiative to add outward-facing cameras to Oakley’s trucks to help reduce accidents, and he has developed a new safety bonus program. Both of these initiatives reward good driving behavior and build positive relationships with their drivers.
All member companies of the Arkansas Trucking Association are eligible to nominate drivers and safety professionals for these awards.
Since 1932, the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) has served as the voice of the trucking industry, promoting the vitality of this industry on which nearly 87 percent of Arkansas communities exclusively rely to move their goods. Made up of approximately 300 trucking and service companies, ATA helps members grow their business and profits while protecting the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Arkansas Trucking Association, Inc. Governmental Affairs
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