The nation's top van operators (drivers) and safest company fleets in the U.S. moving industry during 2012 have been selected for annual honors by the American Moving & Storage Association.


The 2012 Super Van Operator Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Joseph Savage of Norfolk, Va., who drives for Eckert's Van & Storage in San Diego, Calif., a North American Van Lines agent.

Joel Barber of Sturkie, Ark., who drives for Alexander's Mobility Services, an Atlas agent in Tustin, Calif., is Super Van Operator for Household Goods; while Don Alverson of Escanaba, Mich., a driver for Mayflower Specialty Flatbed in Fenton, Mo. picks up Super Van Operator honors in the Special Commodities category.

Rookie Super Van Operator for 2012 is Clay Armbruster of Brunswick Hills, Ohio, who drives for Armbruster Moving & Storage in Cleveland, a Mayflower Transit agent.

AMSA's Super Van awards recognize drivers who provide safe, reliable, and customer-oriented household goods truck transportation. Judging criteria include miles driven, accidents (preventable or non-preventable), lifetime driving record, time out of service for any hours-of-service or equipment violations, financial responsibility, community involvement, customer service, driving awards and outside interests and activities.

AMSA also presents a series of annual fleet safety awards to recognize carriers demonstrating the best overall safety performance during the year.

The 2012 Fleet Safety Award winner in the over 50 million miles category is United Van Lines of Fenton, Mo., for the second consecutive year. Graebel Van Lines of Aurora, Colo. again receives the award in the 20 million to 50 million miles category; as well as the Fleet Safety Improvement Award.

The five to 20 million miles award goes to Chicago's New World Van Lines for a fifth year in a row. Fry-Wagner Moving & Storage, a United agent based in Lenexa, Kan., wins the award in the intrastate category for the second straight year. All of the winners are certified ProMovers, AMSA's program to help consumers easily identify a quality, professional mover.

All awards will be presented during AMSA's 2013 Education Conference & Expo in Atlanta from March 3-6.